Yes, it is, if you think about it
Knowing that we all age does not make it any easier when it becomes personal. They say the decline begins around 40, but of course you do not really notice until one day you wake up and things no longer work quite as well as they used to.
At first, the problems seem like the result of ordinary neglect. After all, who has time for self-maintenance with today’s busy lifestyle?
The Dentist
For example, during an overdue dental check-up, the dentist suggests that those pockets could become a future problem and that extraction may be the only real option. Suddenly, you find yourself considering foods better suited to your reduced crunch capacity. And to think that over the years your dental maintenance visits were painful as well as ill affordable and apparently not as effective as they should have been. Still, the dentist did all right!
Apart from greying hair, which can be rather sophisticated, (think silver) the lustre begins to disappear from your head while mysteriously appearing elsewhere. How do single hairs sprout from the tops of your ears, and your eyebrows suddenly develop a horizontal growth pattern?
The Doctor
As you further mature - or, let’s be honest, age - you begin to think that getting a flu jab is probably wise, and perhaps a COVID booster at the same time might be a good idea. Clever thinking, at least the brain is still active.
While at the surgery, your GP pops their head in and suggests that a general health check would be a good idea, and that blood tests will reveal a great deal. What is there to reveal? Quite a lot, apparently. You discover things about yourself you did not know existed, let alone things that might be cause for concern. Not to worry: your prostate is fine, as are most other things — whatever they are — but your thyroid count is a little high, so let’s check it again in six months. That’s it. You are in the system now, and there is no going back.
Social Life
After all that, I need a drink. Whoa.. remember when a shared bottle of full-bodied red disappeared before dinner? Not anymore. A small chardy or a mid-strength beer is now the norm, maybe two if it’s your birthday.
You can still occasionally go out to dinner, but an early booking is the go, so you can be home in time for the next episode of whatever drama you are currently streaming.
The Physio
With your life apparently falling apart, you recognise that fitness may help. Perhaps a visit to the physio will produce a set of exercises you can do at home. But physios do not simply hand out fitness programs. They train for years and understandably want you to appreciate that their skills are being used to your advantage. Balance is usually the first fault they find. If your balance is not up to scratch, you might have a fall. That is the senior term for falling over, and yes, you are now a senior. You can apply for a Seniors Card, not that you are likely to use it .. too embarrassing at your age, no?
Loss of strength is a factor but only becomes noticeable when your son says he will pop around to put your bins out. Your initial rage quietly subsides when you realise that, during his visit, he can also move the lounge your other half has been nagging you about. Shrewd thinking, work on it, you have a whole family to take advantage of.
Finally!
Don’t subside into depression, even if your journey is, or was, hugely successful and you find it hard to understand why nobody remembers or even cares. Life is not over - not yet. There are still holidays to be had. Skiing, trekking, and diving are probably out, but a cruise would be nice, or perhaps a relaxing stay at a luxury resort while spending your superannuation as quickly as possible, is the go. And then there are all those things you have always wanted to do but never quite got around to. It may be hard to accept that you are edging towards the exit, but that is even more reason to enjoy the journey now.