I like being in my 60s

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I do lots of thinking when I’m mowing the lawn. Last week I wore a short, sleeveless dress as I marched behind the mower. And I laughed at myself, thinking how ridiculous I must look working outside in a skirt.

Until recently, I would NEVER have worn a dress to work in the yard. Only old women might do that. Then I laughed again, realizing that I AM an old woman or, at least, an older woman.

And I realized that being in my 60s is freeing.

Expectations are low for people with gray or white hair, especially women. I get lauded for doing almost anything independent or productive. You mowed your lawn?!! Amazing. You walked 2 miles? Wow! You took an out-of-state trip by yourself? How brave! You gave a speech? What a memory! (Unfortunately, I rarely get praised for my cooking.)

No one expects me to accomplish great things anymore. There’s little or no pressure to perform – literally. In choir, it’s okay if my voice cracks or I run out of breath. Big, important jobs? Everyone assumes I’m no longer working. Proper grammar and educated opinions? Not necessary; most people are impressed if I’m just lucid.

Another thing I like about being older is that I’m free to wear whatever I wish because who cares if we look sexy? I no longer wear fitted business suits or high heels. Or pants and short skirts that are uncomfortable to sit in. Or bikinis in which I’d have to suck in my stomach. I wear flat shoes and sandals with good arch support and roomy toes, loose fitting blouses, swimming skirts to cover my broadening butt. No one cares. Once we’re “older,” who looks except to laugh or to say, “Isn’t she cute?”

Another good thing about being older is no more wolf whistles and the like. Years ago I stopped turning to look when a car beeped as I walked down the road. We older women are mostly invisible to the rest of the world, which can be annoying when people don’t pay attention to all our wise words. But that’s for another blog.

For the similar reasons, we can eat pretty much what we want to as long as we stay healthy and can fit into our wardrobes.

And the best, no more periods. No explanation necessary.

So, yes, I like being a kind-of-crazy woman in her 60s.