How to master the fear of old age

There are moments in life when you become aware of the fact that you are getting old. The way you handle this reality determines whether you really fear old age or you embrace it.

You might think of old age as a time when your strength is gone, your health degrades and you are forced to live on a small pension. This does not have to be your reality. But if you give in to the fear of old age, you have no escape from this unwanted scenario.

You should identify if you have any of the symptoms of the fear of old age and drive them out of your mind. The sooner you start, the better it will be for you. So how do you know that you fear old age?

Self-evaluation questionnaire

Here are a few questions that will give you an answer as to which approach you are taking with respect to old age. If you find yourself in any of these scenarios, you should change your train of thought as soon as possible.

1. Do you lack enthusiasm?
2. Do you have the tendency to slow down and develop an inferiority complex, falsely believing you are slipping because of age?
3. Are you usually killing off initiative, imagination and self-reliance, by wrongly believing you are too old to continue to practice these qualities?
4. Are you speaking apologetically of yourself as being old?
5. Do you consider yourself old merely because you have reached the age of 40 or 50?
6. Are you not expressing gratitude for having reached an age of wisdom and understanding?
7. Are you trying to appear much younger than your age?
8. Do you change your dress style in order to appear younger?
9. Are you using the tone of voice and manner of speaking of young people, only to appear younger?
10. Do you think that, because of your age, your actions are not as sharp as those of younger people?

How to escape the fear of old age

There is only one way to relieve yourself of the fear of old age – reach the decision to accept it not as a handicap, but a blessing, that carries with it wisdom, self-control and understanding.

You have to look at the positive side of growing old. Otherwise you will find yourself in a downward spiral, without any means to escape. See the good things that your life has given you so far. Understand that because of your experience, you are wiser than the young people you see around you. You have the knowledge from the many years of activity. This is invaluable.

Don’t worry about your age. Continue to set goals and make plans to achieve them. If anything, you should be better at it with age, not worse.

Please check out the other posts related to overcoming fears here.