In my younger days I was very active. Even earlier I thought I was invincible, as so many do in their teens and twenties. My body was fit and muscular. I was strong and full of energy. Then I hit forty… when did that happen? I found myself like an old car… not too eager to get started on cold mornings, bits and pieces not working quite right. Constant nagging pain in the joints. The things I once was able to do so easily before, now was taking a lot of effort.
As the years go on I feel like some major change is going in my body. I grasp at everything out there to attempt to diminish the constant nagging pain. Herbal supplements, alternative medicine, exercise and finally after 6 years of pain… not being able to do the things I enjoy… I sought major medical attention and surgery.
So here’s where the gist of the story comes into play. Growing up no one ever teaches you about bank accounts, finances, getting a house and what the body does as you get older. The first few things you can figure out by trial and a lot of error. Getting and growing old is not as easy.
I believe that nobody wants to talk about it much because it is down right depressing. When I could no longer go hiking without two knee braces, row my raft or fly fish without shoulder pain, I found myself getting frustrated. Soon after I found I lacked the motivation to do the things I love… but forced myself to do them and paid for it for weeks on end. I tried shots of this and that, I tried going chemical free, and physical therapy. It always came down to just grin and bear it. Then the doc says…”you’re just getting old!” Those are the worst words anyone can ever hear. It’s almost like a death sentence. This is how it is and it’s not going to get any better. REALLY??!!
I, however, will not just throw up my hands and succumb to “getting old”! I am always looking for the silver lining. This is the driving force for us to quit our job, sell everything and hit the road… before it’s “too late…” There is enough research out there that shows stress is a contributing factor to shortening your life. Pain is a cause of stress too. My hope is by alleviating that stress in my life, eating better food without chemicals, laughing instead of wanting to kill someone or something all the time, be able to be active on a daily basis instead of weather and pain permitting… I may be able to grow old gracefully and in less pain.
Lets face it there is no manual on life. No “How to Live for Dummies”. We all blindly go where each man/woman must go… and go alone. It’s just sad that the mind is willing but the body says… no I don’t think so. This too shall pass and I will overcome this temporary limitation… I hope…
Two Travelin' Chicas... A Grand Adventure 
I’ll never forget the day a doctor said a similar thing to me. “You’re getting older.” As though I didn’t matter any more. Just quit living. I do understand that there are things we have to accept and adapt to, but the seeming attitude of just tossing people on a scrap heap rather than trying to help with the ailment was infuriating.
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Totally agree. They want to handle you when you’re “ill” instead of doing something for you before your joints are eating themselves. Or you have a heart attack or high blood pressure, etc. Healthcare is not that at all. They should call it illness care. Too bad.
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Be passionate don’t let age come between your body and mind. This is my mantra.
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Trust me I do try to take it easier than I used to. It’s just frustrating.
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I remember hitting 40 and the body just not healing the way it used to… I refuse to be frustrated and enjoy what I can while I can! 😘🐻
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When I conquered the Inka Trail I felt like I had pushed every inch of my being. I am glad I did it when I did. Even if it was in 2 knee braces and living on pain meds. At least I didn’t give in. 🌈
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Well done! And no one can take away your memories of that! 😊🐻
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I know this all to well. My parents had my brother and I late in life. My mother was 36 when I was born and my father was 45. For the first 15 years of my life, I never saw the physical effects of age. I was just starting high school when my mother had the first of two shoulder surgeries. She’d lived life much like you, she was an active canoeist and hiker, and in her late 40s her body began to fail her. It was hard to watch. The biggest lesson I learned were know your limits and know that they change as you get older. The older you get the more often you need to reassess your limits.
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Thanks for sharing. That is the hard part and depressing… learning that you’re more limited than you’d like to think.
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Thanks so much for putting this out there. I figure that since I’m on the last half of my life, I better do as much traveling, etc. while I’m able. One never knows if or when the body won’t be able to handle it anymore. “Make hay while the sun is shining” as we say here in the Midwest!
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