Choose to be happy.

I’m in my second half of life as I plan to live to be a minimum of 100 years old. Part of my plan, is to never retire from work. It made be an American thing but I don’t think retiring is for me. I like working even when I’m not crazy about the job but I’ve gone back to school to get a Master’s and just got a job more in line with my education. And I still have at least two more career changes. Working further into my field as a scientist and then probably end up teaching at the college level all the knowledge and wisdom I’ve gained in the field.

The best news I’ve had in the last few weeks is that someone thought I was at least 22 years younger than I am. I thanked them and told them I could be their parent. That totally freaked them out and they asked how is that I look and seem so much younger than I am.

My only explanation, I keep making friends regardless of that new friend’s age. I keep playing video games, and reading. I also just walk and have a cheerful attitude towards life. Believing in myself, and a firm desire to live to be older than 100 years of age with the same passion for life I have had since I was 13 years old.

Lastly, I don’t have a specific religion or belief in an afterlife so I’ve always intended to make the best of THIS life than worry about what happens when I’m gone.

Life has only gotten better as I got older. I’m 50 now and I know things will get worse in many ways as my health gets worse in 10-20 years, but so far life has been great. Don’t believe the internet cynics, life is what you make of it.

This isnt even a settled fact.

For example: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/happiness/happiness-over-the-lifespan

Argues a few things:

Does happiness decline with age?

People often worry that happiness diminishes with age, but that’s actually not the case. One large study found just a slight overall dip in happiness between age 20 and age 70—on a scale of 1 to 10, average life satisfaction went from 5.8 to 5.4.

What is the happiness curve?

The happiness curve refers to the trajectory that happiness tends to follow as we age. People begin life fairly happy. Around age 18, their happiness begins to decrease, reaching a low point in their 40s. But after age 50, happiness begins to rise again. This U-shaped happiness curve has emerged consistently in large studies of Western societies.

So there is a common curve, but the curve is gradual.

It also notes the likely causes are that financial stability rises mid-life and improves happiness, while free time is at a minimum at the bottom of the curve and reduces happiness.

This has nothing to do with age and everything to do with culture, which can be changed.

I don’t want to say it gets worse, so I tell them to enjoy being young and have experiences while they can, because it gets more difficult.

Like, if you do stupid things and break a bone, better do it while it will heal much faster. If you want to get good at gymnastics or anything that requires being physically fit, better do it while being young.

I’m starting my 40ies and can only see how my knees are starting to hurt and my body aches in ways I didn’t know it could.

My grandmother is 95 and wants to die. She was active for her whole life but now that she is losing sight, hearing, and is mostly bound to her apartment, she’s had enough. And I can understand.

You certainly can stay young and joyful in your head, but at some point your body is not going to help.