This really resonated with me. I just turned 60 and am happier than I've ever been in life, for the same reasons you've shared in this column. My husband and I are retired full-time travelers, and toast to our good luck and happiness almost every day. I greatly enjoy your writing, thank you for doing what you do!
I so resonate with everything you wrote :) I too am in my 50s, and like you spent my younger years worrying about how I looked and what other people thought of me (btw I work in fashion). Now I see old photos of myself and see how lovely I looked. Sure, I was no Cindy Crawford but Younger Me didn't realise what she had. What did I have to be insecure about? Brent, I have to say you were attractive as a young man and you are now, and making peace with our appearance and person is, I agree, one of the wonderful things about getting older.
Also, just to add, being an older parent has a lot to recommend to it. I had children late (I was old enough to be the mother of other mums at playgroup!) and felt a certain relaxed confidence, and less pressure to further my career etc at the same time as being a parent.
I really enjoyed all your points, but I especially appreciated the one about making friends. Being in the 30s-40s crowd without kids is a tough environment to build new friendships, so it's good to know there will be different seasons to come.
Jun 30, 2023Liked by Brent Hartinger, Michael Jensen
I totally agree. One of my favorite quotes is, “The math of time is simple. You have less time than you think and need more time than you know.” It’s a sobering thought as I age. It’s also my experience that some people do not realize that time is passing them by because everything in their life is the same day to day. That is why I try to make every day new by meeting new people, learning and trying new things. I think that is also how you “roll.”
Jun 30, 2023Liked by Brent Hartinger, Michael Jensen
Great perspective and attitude! I loved my 50s and early 60s, even though there were the “dead and dying parent” tough times. Ironically, my own health took a downhill turn the year the last of our parents died. It’s added to the “aging sucks” side of things. But I do try to just keep going and enjoying life and hoping for a resolution to the health issue. I have chuckled many times lately as I’ve realized that in the view of someone holding a door for me, giving me a seat on the subway, waving me ahead of them in a line, that they seeing me as old! Ok, I’ll happily take that subway seat. lol!
Jul 3, 2023Liked by Brent Hartinger, Michael Jensen
I totally agree. I love my age and the freedom I feel as Paul and I travel the world. You never stop learning, and exploring keeps your mind active. Good piece!
I think you've got it! Attitude is everything. The years mean nothing--except that you have them, and the smart thing to do is to make good use of them!
Great piece Brent. I’m a few years ahead of you on on that inevitable path and so much of what you said really reaonates. Thanks for putting this out there.
Thank you Brent and the gay male community for making baldness sexy - my husband has been bald since his 20's too and I think he's hot as a cat on a hot tin roof :) Loved the post and really resonated with everything being in my early 50's.
Funny line, Hot as a cat on a hot tin roof. There's literally a cat on a tin roof outside now, but it's not hot out, alas. He seems very chill, not bothered at all.
Jun 30, 2023Liked by Brent Hartinger, Michael Jensen
Love this article. After 54 years with diabetes and 7 heart attacks I have decided to live abroad. MY dream. Hubby is not enthusiastic about it but it will work out. This article has reaffirmed. The fact I’ve known all too well. Life is too short and it’s time to smell the roses in another country.
Jul 1, 2023Liked by Brent Hartinger, Michael Jensen
I’m thinking about starting a blog about my diabetes, the angry young woman I was and how I live now. You know....LIFE. I’m so incredibly blessed and can’t wait for my next adventure!! Thanks for the inspiration.
Jun 30, 2023Liked by Brent Hartinger, Michael Jensen
It is only the beginning! I am loving this time in my life. In our semi-nomadic lifestyle, it's like being a college freshman again. Everyone is open to meeting new people and they have interesting stories to share accumulated through years of experiences.
This really resonated with me. I just turned 60 and am happier than I've ever been in life, for the same reasons you've shared in this column. My husband and I are retired full-time travelers, and toast to our good luck and happiness almost every day. I greatly enjoy your writing, thank you for doing what you do!
Wonderful! Salud to you! very happy for you.
Thank you so much for the nice words too!
Loved reading this. You two are so inspiring.
Thank you!
Love this post, Brent! And glad to hear you're happy and enjoying life. That's worth more than anything.
Thank you! And yes, I am a lucky SOAB.
I so resonate with everything you wrote :) I too am in my 50s, and like you spent my younger years worrying about how I looked and what other people thought of me (btw I work in fashion). Now I see old photos of myself and see how lovely I looked. Sure, I was no Cindy Crawford but Younger Me didn't realise what she had. What did I have to be insecure about? Brent, I have to say you were attractive as a young man and you are now, and making peace with our appearance and person is, I agree, one of the wonderful things about getting older.
Also, just to add, being an older parent has a lot to recommend to it. I had children late (I was old enough to be the mother of other mums at playgroup!) and felt a certain relaxed confidence, and less pressure to further my career etc at the same time as being a parent.
Isn't it crazy?? All that wasted energy. So glad you/we finally saw the light!
Thank you for the kind words. Back atcha!
Interesting about kids! Love those unexpected revelations.
I’m straight but: You’re a handsome man. Just sayin.
Michael Mohr
‘Sincere American Writing’
https://michaelmohr.substack.com/
hehe thank you very much.
I really enjoyed all your points, but I especially appreciated the one about making friends. Being in the 30s-40s crowd without kids is a tough environment to build new friendships, so it's good to know there will be different seasons to come.
It was honestly a very nice surprise!
I totally agree. One of my favorite quotes is, “The math of time is simple. You have less time than you think and need more time than you know.” It’s a sobering thought as I age. It’s also my experience that some people do not realize that time is passing them by because everything in their life is the same day to day. That is why I try to make every day new by meeting new people, learning and trying new things. I think that is also how you “roll.”
Yes I like that quite a bit. 🙂🙂🙂
Wonderful quote and great philosophy.
Great perspective and attitude! I loved my 50s and early 60s, even though there were the “dead and dying parent” tough times. Ironically, my own health took a downhill turn the year the last of our parents died. It’s added to the “aging sucks” side of things. But I do try to just keep going and enjoying life and hoping for a resolution to the health issue. I have chuckled many times lately as I’ve realized that in the view of someone holding a door for me, giving me a seat on the subway, waving me ahead of them in a line, that they seeing me as old! Ok, I’ll happily take that subway seat. lol!
🤣🤣🤣
Take the seat, you earned it.
Aging parents is sure a big deal. I think when they die, we realize we're taking their place. Very profound. 😳😳😳
Thanks for the nice words. 🙂
Hell yeah! I’m a couple decades younger than you and this is a truly refreshing take and gives me a lot to look forward to 🙇♂️
Thank you!
I totally agree. I love my age and the freedom I feel as Paul and I travel the world. You never stop learning, and exploring keeps your mind active. Good piece!
The freedom is real -- from financial worries and from feeling judged
I think you've got it! Attitude is everything. The years mean nothing--except that you have them, and the smart thing to do is to make good use of them!
thank you very much :-)
Great piece Brent. I’m a few years ahead of you on on that inevitable path and so much of what you said really reaonates. Thanks for putting this out there.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!
So many yeses to this 😃 I absolutely agree that life gets better with age. (And you're looking pretty good on it 👌)
Thank you! So glad you're discovering the same thing lol
Thank you Brent and the gay male community for making baldness sexy - my husband has been bald since his 20's too and I think he's hot as a cat on a hot tin roof :) Loved the post and really resonated with everything being in my early 50's.
LOLOLOL You're welcome!
Funny line, Hot as a cat on a hot tin roof. There's literally a cat on a tin roof outside now, but it's not hot out, alas. He seems very chill, not bothered at all.
Most cats SEEM chill, but we both know they're always one step ahead of us plotting their next diabolical move.
Love this article. After 54 years with diabetes and 7 heart attacks I have decided to live abroad. MY dream. Hubby is not enthusiastic about it but it will work out. This article has reaffirmed. The fact I’ve known all too well. Life is too short and it’s time to smell the roses in another country.
It will work out, im sure. 7 heart attacks? Oh my. 😐😥
I’m thinking about starting a blog about my diabetes, the angry young woman I was and how I live now. You know....LIFE. I’m so incredibly blessed and can’t wait for my next adventure!! Thanks for the inspiration.
Oh I hope you do! Good luck with it...
Oh, I love "It's time to smell the roses in another country! "
It is only the beginning! I am loving this time in my life. In our semi-nomadic lifestyle, it's like being a college freshman again. Everyone is open to meeting new people and they have interesting stories to share accumulated through years of experiences.
It is exactly like that! We say that often. ❤️❤️❤️