Rules for Total Wellness

Age is only a number

“Some people are old at 18 and some people are young at 90…
Time is a concept that humans created.“ ~ Yoko Ono

Let me give you a few stunning examples: Doris Long was 85 when she started industrial climbing as a hobby and she’s still doing it at 100. Imagine that! In the musical scene, rocker grandma Ruth Flowers decided to be a club DJ at 68 and is still doing it at 72. Dominating the catwalks, we have Jacqueline Murdock who is a 82 year old model! Of course, who can forget 96 year old Tao-Porchon-Lynch who wowed the America’s Got Talent judges in 2015!

What I am trying to say is that the only limits that exist are in our minds. If we constantly tell ourselves “Oh, I’m too old to try that”, “Oh, I’m too old to wear that dress” then guess what? You’ll probably be too old to do it. You are what you make yourself out to be.

So don’t be afraid to re-invent yourself. There’s no age where you stop taking care of your body, face and hair. Your body is your temple, both inside and out, so fill it with good thoughts and take time to care for yourself. Don’t forget: You’re worth it!

Read More: 5 Mistakes That Are Aging Your Eyes

Don’t be afraid to try something new

If you take risks, sometimes you’ll get a standing ovation, and sometimes, people will throw tomatoes. Get used to wins and losses, praise and pans. Don’t be limited by your fear of losing or your fear of the unknown. Yes, it may be daunting to start a new career or even step into a new classroom in a field totally foreign to you. But shut down that inner critic and give trying new things a shot. Your world is only as big as you allow it to be. If you are always fearful of stepping out of your comfort zone, you will only live in your comfort zone which is small and restrictive. You will not be able to see the blue sky or touch the stars.

Comfort zone is good but there’s nothing wrong in occasionally venturing out. Get uncomfortable. Start doing things that make you gasp and get the adrenaline flowing. Ask yourself, “What’s the gasp-level action here?” Your fears and a tough inner critic will chatter in your head. That’s normal, and just fine. When you hear that repetitive, irrational, mean inner critic, name it for what it is, and remember, it’s just a fearful liar, trying to protect you from any real or seeming risks. Go for the gasps and learn how false your inner critic’s narrative really is, and how conquerable your fears.

Don’t be afraid to Dream

Limits only exist in the mind. Live a life without limits. Don’t be afraid to ask yourself what you really want? It could be something big like: What does a knock-the-ball-out-of-the-park life look like for you? What is the career that seems so incredible you think it’s almost criminal to have it? It could even be something frivolous like having a six-pack or the perfect butt! Why not? If you’re willing to work for it, the sky’s the limit when it comes to setting goals.

Who says a 60 year old can’t run a marathon? Who says you can’t start a new career at 50? It’s all a mindset. Once you get over the limits you have imposed upon yourself, you will be better placed to live your dreams.

What is the dream you don’t allow yourself to even consider because it seems too unrealistic, frivolous, or insane? Start envisioning it. That’s the beginning of having it.

Recover and restore.

If you start doing some of the things above, you are going to be stretching out of our comfort zone–a lot. Since life is all about balance, don’t forget to take a step back to relax, re-focus and recharge from time to time. Quieten the incessant internal dialogue that is going on in your mind, and just be mindful for a change. Treat yourself to something soothing and comfortable so you feel pampered and restored at the end of it. It could be something as simple as mindfully having your favourite coffee, taking your own time to savour every sip. It could be attending a meditation class or listening to a concert alone. Whatever you choose, just be sure to enjoy every moment of it mindfully.