I feel a disturbance in the force…things are beginning to shift. Change is coming. In the UK we have AONR ( Age of No Retirement) that is working with older people and companies to “develop prototype programs designed to smash age barriers: to define “retirement” and “seniors” differently and to give older people a voice in new-product development.”
“The reality is that those who live longer are increasingly seeking work, not only to generate income but for a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Many people don’t want to simply retire and garden for 30 years. They’re looking for more.”-Jonathan Collie MD
Then in the US we have a new book by Ashton Applewhite , “This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism.” It is on my list to order from B&N.
I agree with Ashton Applewhite that we can feel alone in facing our ageing and that it would be very positive to have a dialogue about our experiences. At any rate, I am happy to see more light shown on this topic.
And I found this blog: The Radical Age Movement: Confronting Ageism. I enjoyed reading their posts. I like their New Year’s Resolution:
- Continue to confront ageism wherever we see it
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Create language that honors longetivity
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Increase pride in aging
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Work toward building an interdependent society
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Speak up against age prejudice in our workplace, healthcare, the media, and among our friends and family
This movement is long overdue. I will not be sorry to see the negative stereotypes about ageing finally put in their proper place, (the trash).
Notes Tied On The Sagebrush 
I look forward to retirement, but perhaps because I don’t feel particularly fulfilled by work. I think people should be judged based on their abilities, not their gender or age. That we still fight battles along both lines, is sad.
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I know what it feels like not to be fulfilled by work. I have been in jobs that really weren’t a good fit for me. Right now I am not feeling like I want to plunge into a full time job again. But I do want to be engaged in things that are fulfilling and continue learning. It does help to have some extra income as well right now. So my tutoring work is a benefit to me. We do have to define our later years for ourselves but it helps to talk about it. I hope the battle against ageism will be won soon. 🙂
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People are changing the way they look at retirement and what they will do when they get to that point. Things are changing
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I am glad to hear that younger people are looking at it. I think my generation is feeling its way through it. I think it is important for us to share our experiences of ageing to help shift the paradigm. I did not expect to confront this prejudice and it was a shock to hit this barrier. It is alive and well but maybe starting to crack a little. 🙂
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Exactly, it belongs in the trash. More and more older citizens want to continue working and not just at Walmart as a door greeter. They have a lot of knowledge and wisdom that companies could profit from and should be profiting from if they weren’t so busy turning down their applicants because of age.
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Thank You, Joy. It is true that people may want and need to work in their older years and it is hard to think about the lack of opportunities available. It has made me lose some of my self confidence about working because so many doors seem closed. I do like the idea of flexible work hours. It is not just working either. I think I am wanting to envision what my coming years are going to look like. What do I want to be engaged in?
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I understand what you mean. When I retired, I retired because I simply wasn’t able to work anymore. But there are many times I find myself missing my job and wishing I was still able to work.
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Well I found myself with the rug being pulled out from under me and gradually coming to realize that doors were closed to me. Now a few years past that time period it is still a tender spot for me. It is hard to accept something that we feel is unfair. It was a period of working years that were denied me. At present, I do not want to work full time any more. Part of it is I do not want the demands of it, the other part may be I have been dispirited from my experience. I am not sitting still. I do tutor part time and I do volunteer tutoring besides, once a week. And yoga. But I am restless because I have an active brain. When we get older our brains do not just dry up. 🙂 Off to yoga. 🙂
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I’m sorry the rug was pulled out from under you. That happens so much with people as they start getting near retirement. I hope you can find the perfect job with the perfect hours for you. And, it’s wonderful that you do yoga!
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You are very kind. I am doing some paid work right now, tutoring students with special needs and learning issues. I did go back to school to get a teaching credential after the rug pulling happened but it did not work into a full time job. I think right now that part time is ok for me. Just feel I need more in my life and I will need to explore further. I am doing gentle yoga which is very good for stress reduction and stretching. 🙂
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That’s nice that you are doing part-time work and you are okay with working part-time. Sounds like you have a very challenging yet fulfilling job teaching kids with learning issues. I wish you the very best in finding the perfect job for you. Maybe this one is it?
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Thank You Joy ❤ Well it may be it. I was thinking of developing other interests when I talked about it not being enough. I think I need a lot of mental stimulation. So I am a work in progress. 🙂
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