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Grannies over 60 these days do not look or act anything like they did before the twentieth century.
I know countless women over 60 who defy the traditional imagery imposed on them in year’s past. As a woman heading into my 60’s, I can give you plenty of reasons why we shouldn’t be ignored or dismissed.
In fact, that’s exactly what I plan to do in this blog post!
Optimistic Ageing
Okay, this world might be a little unhinged, but there’s still reason to be optimistic.
When I find myself succumbing to all of the negativity being thrown around on social media, I remind myself to take a step back and appreciate the world around me.
According to Pubmed Central, a recent study found that women with higher levels of optimisim had a 23% greater likelihood of healthy aging compared to those with lower levels.
That’s something to think about!
Of course, there are other reasons why women over 60 are ageing exceptionally well. Here are some examples that might resonate with you:
Social Connections
I’m an introvert, so I like to be alone. However, there are very good reasons to get out and socialize. Even casual acquaintenances can have a positive impact on your well-being. That’s why I have a dog. He forces me out into the world and, honestly, I never regret taking him to the dog park.
I’ve made friends at the dog park!
Close friends provide deep emotional support, but everyday acquaintenances have their benefits too. There’s nothing like a wide social network to provide a sense of purpose and belonging.
Financial Security
While financial security remains a concern for many women over 60, there are some positive developments.
Older women, like me, have a lot of life experience. We’ve been divorced, married, remarried, etc. Some of us have had kids, moved, changed careers, and so on.
At this point in our lives, we know are own priorities and what it takes to reach them. A lot of us, in fact, are still working.
Did you know that as of April, 2023, women aged 55 and older represented 10.6% of the labor force in America. Source: Center for American Progress.
Healthier Lifestyle Choices
Now that we’re in our 60’s (or getting close), we have a better sense of balance in our lives. We make healthier lifestyle choices but still manage to enjoy the cake too. As a Gen-X woman, I remember spending a lot of time doing aerobics and desperately dieting.
As the year’s passed, however, I learned that life is better in balance. Something tells me you may be thinking the same thing.
Even simple changes to our lifestyles can increase our sense of well-being and keep us out of hospitals.
Physical Fitness
I love being physically active. That does not mean that I’m at the gym pumping weights, or spending a lot of time in a spin class. Actually, I’m a little afraid of spin classes.
However, as older women, we know that it takes a little work to keep the muscles activated. We’re not typical grannies over 60!
We have to keep the joints moving so that they don’t seize up and cause pain (motion is lotion!). We know what we need to do, and we do our best to keep physically fit as we age. It’s one of the major factors in a long and disease-free life.
Nutrition
I really don’t believe you need to drink something gross and green to be at your nutritional peak. We live in a first-world country with plenty of nutritious options. So what if we have some fast food once in a while?
Access to highly nutritious food (and eating that food) is another reason we are thriving as we age.
Cognitive Stimulation
Actively engaging in the world around us is one example of how we exercise our brains.
Unfortunately, cognitive functions begin to decline as we age (where did I put my phone?), but there are plenty of ways we can enhance brain resilience.
Did you know that simply engaging in a new hobby is a great way to enhance your brain function? Learning new things and engaging in the world around us are great ways to keep our brains healthy.
Speaking of hobbies!
I’ve written plenty of content about hobbies that you might be interested in. For example:
15 Engaging Hobbies for People With Mobility Issues
69 Best Mind-Stimulating Hobbies for Men Over 60
19 Easy and Fun Hobbies For Couples Over 50
Aging Women Are Redefining Themselves
Elderly women (and I mean women way over 60) are breaking societal stereotypes that come with aging.
We’re embracing new opportunities, rediscovering passions, and redefining what it means to age. Does that mean we don’t take a little longer to pull ourselves up off the floor? Nope. It does mean that we are living life to the fullest.
There’s a reason why online dating sites like Senior Match are thriving. It’s because we’re not content to sit home and dwell on things. We have personal style, romantic relationships and get involved with our communities.
9 Fabulous Reasons Not to Dismiss Grannies Over 60
First of all, we don’t like the term “grannies over 60”, even though some of us may be grandmothers. There’s a negative connotation to the word “grannies” that needs to be put to bed.
Ageing is a great thing! Sure, it comes with some aches and pains sometimes. But we don’t have to be young to be fantastic. We can (and do) wear our age with exceptional grace.
Older women possess unique qualities and strengths that make them (us!) an asset to any community. I’ve put together this list of 9 reasons we should never be dismissed, no matter our age.
1. Empowered Confidence
We tend to get more confident with our sense of self. We have years of experience that younger generations tend to admire.
We’re not afraid to embrace our best features whether it’s our beautiful gray hair or a bold new style. Who says we can’t rock short skirts or classic white tops?
2. A Source of Wisdom
Do you ever look back on your life and marvel at everything you’ve learned? It’s all the mistakes, bad choices, and hard-earned lessons that made us better people.
For that reason, we’re better able to offer guidance on everything from romantic relationships to family matters. The trick is findind someone who will listen to what we’re saying!
Listen up people, do not discount grannies over 60. We know what we’re talking about and if you’d only listen, we could save you a lot of angst.
3. Active Social Lives
Just because we’re older doesn’t mean we don’t “work it”. In fact, I’d say most of us are far from sedentary. We maintain busy social calendars, enjoy a variety of activities and show up for our community.
Speaking of active social lives…
Have you tried (or are considering) online dating? I’ve got a few posts you should read:
7 Ways to Overcome Nerves on a First Date
29 Free Dating Profile Examples for Females Over 50
21 Best Dating Sites For Widowers and Widows Over 50
4. Improved Health and Wellness
Contrary to outdated beliefs, we, as older women, prioritize our health by staying active with regular physical activity, eating balanced diets, and sticking to dedicated skin care routines.
Of course, there’s more to health and wellness than a good skin care routine. It’s all about balance, and we’re nailing it. We’re not longer afraid or ashamed to look after ourselves without guilt.
The fact that we’re able to take much-needed downtime to recharge says a lot about who we are as older women. We also know when it’s time to kick into high gear and seize the day!
5. Fashion Role Models
Many older women embrace personal style through fashion. We won’t be forced into a cookie cutter idea of what it looks like to be older.
I’m not saying that I am very good at creating stylish outfits, but I have plenty of friends and acquaintances who do. It’s inspiring to say the least! I love to see older women confidently sporting short haircuts with bold accessories and a classic style.
That’s the kind of older women I want to be when I grow up.
Speaking of fashion and beauty…
I’ve written some great posts on fashion and beauty for women over 50. Read these!
25 Ultra Best Lipstick Colors for Over 60
35 Medium Length Hairstyles for Thin Hair Over 60
6. Lifelong Learning
Many of us, as elderly women, continue to pursue education or pick up new hobbies, whether it’s learning new technology, exploring art, or engaging in intellectual discussions. For example, we might attend courses, read, or master new skills, all while managing our screen time to stay mentally sharp.
7. Strength in Relationships
As we age, we offer a unique and nurturing presence in romantic relationships, bringing love and support. For example, older women bring emotional intelligence and stability to romantic partnerships, creating strong, lasting connections.
8. Community Contribution
We, as women over 60, are often active in community services, offering our time and skills to improve our surroundings, whether it’s helping family members or leading charity events.
Older women (and don’t call us grannies over 60!) make important contributions to our communities. We share our wisdom, experience, and compassion with the world around us.
Whether it’s through volunteering, mentoring younger generations, or supporting local initiatives, we play a key role in strengthening the social fabric and fostering a sense of connection and stability.
9. Redefining Beauty Standards
As we age, we challenge conventional beauty standards by embracing our gray hair, wrinkles, and natural beauty. Our confidence in our aging bodies is both admirable and inspiring. For example, we might proudly wear our gray hair and love showcasing classic styles that highlight our best hairstyles.
Conclusion
Whether you want to call us grannies over 60 or something else, just remember how much we contribute to the world. Aging isn’t a barrier, it’s an opportunity to live life to the fullest.
So what if we complain about our joints once in a while (is this just me?). That doesn’t mean we can’t participate in hobbies, adventures, romance, travel, or anything else we want to do.
Instead of worrying about aging, take the time to celebrate your life. You should be inspired by your own resilience and strength!
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Now, I’m going to warm up my hands and maybe rub a little Voltaren on my knees. 🙂
