Category Archives: Ageing

Old School Ties

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Last month I visited my old high school to attend the annual reunion. This was the first time I’d been to a formal alumni event, only 46 years after I left.

That’s not to say I haven’t kept in contact with my school mates, despite living on the other side of the world. Among the Class of ’79 who had turned up, I’d seen all but one of them in the past couple of years, and I try to catch up with this group each time I go back to the UK.

Despite the passing years, I was surprised by how much the old place felt so familiar – I guess having more than 450 years of history behind it means that tradition runs deep.

At the same time, it also felt quite alien – I realise that although I am originally from the local area, I feel less and less of it. Nevertheless, I was reassured that however much things may change, my immediate circle of school friends endures.

Why should that be so? Yes, “old school ties” can form the basis of life-long relationships, linked to a specific educational institute; and those ties can be both tangible and metaphorical. But more importantly, these connections are built on a mix of broad common values, our shared experiences, and the age we met.

 

Signing off for 2024….

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Regular readers may have noticed the lack of posts to this blog in recent weeks. Thanks to some overseas and interstate travel, I have overlooked my commitment to weekly updates. Plus, a dearth of inspiration has contributed to partial writer’s block.

Rather than trying to force the issue, I’ve decided to use this lull as a natural prompt to take an early end-of-year break from blogging. Especially as we have the combined southern hemisphere effect of a headlong rush into the Holiday Season, and an extended summer hiatus.

Looking back over 2024, it has felt as if the popular desire for political change has quickly turned into a case of “be careful of what you wish for”. Less than 6 months after securing an overwhelming win in the UK general election, the British Labour government is already wearing out its welcome, given the level of public frustration and administrative set-backs concerning key policies and poor executive governance. And with Republicans about to assume the reins in Washington, the US electorate must be bracing itself for the change (or déjà vu) about to be unleashed in the Whitehouse with Donald Trump’s return to office. Here in Australia, the current Labor government is facing the prospect of being a one-term administration, as it has had little positive impact on the cost of living crisis, and has resorted to pushing through ill-drafted and ill-considered legislation in the final Parliamentary session of the year (and possibly the last of this government’s term).

On a personal note, there have been some notable highs, offset with sad losses and other family setbacks – the latter mainly thanks to the ageing process which, despite its inevitability, can still be cruel and arbitrary. So I’m thankful that apart from the odd aches and twinges, I enjoy a reasonable level of health and fitness.

The material and spiritual elements that also sustain me (music, wine, good food, art, cinema, travel, books…) continue to provide sustenance, although in some cases (especially in film and art) I have noticed a declining return on the time invested in them. And of course, I’m grateful to have a group of friends with whom to share many of these pleasures. As with most areas of my life, when it comes to friendships, I prefer quality over quantity (“less is more”). Social media has its uses, but without connecting IRL, on-line friendships can easily come and go with the click of a button – but true friends are lifelong, and the threads can be maintained over the years, and even at a distance, because of the foundational links that underpin them.

With that thought, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe, peaceful and festive Saturnalia and beyond into 2025. See you next year!

 

 

 

 

 

“When I’m Sixty-Four”

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Last week, I achieved the eponymous age of The Beatles’ song, “When I’m Sixty-Four”, as featured on their “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album. Like many of the people who commented on YouTube, I was just a kid when I heard this song on its release; and I, too, could not imagine being that age.

For one thing, at that time, back in the late 1960s, my grandparents, great uncles and great aunts were all in their mid- to late-sixties; to me they were already so old, even ancient. God forbid that I should end up like that! Of course, given their life experiences, perhaps it was not surprising that they seemed so wizened (physically and metaphorically) before their time. Living through two world wars and a deep economic depression takes its toll. Also, in 1967, life expectancy was around 72 years; now it’s close to 82. And back then, the UK state pension age was 65. Consequently, people seemed “old” because that’s how they were expected to behave, and they were treated as such by government and society alike.

Now I have reached this milestone myself, I realise more than ever before that aging is also a mental construct, not just a biological process. Hence the notion of “subjective age”. If you think you are too old to do something, then you are probably limiting your options (and narrowing your outlook). Little wonder that articles about “life begins at 60” seem popular!

I know have had a very different life experience to my grandparents. For example, two of them never went abroad, three of them never drove a car, and one didn’t live past the age of 50. Unlike them, I don’t have children or grand children, I have lived outside my country of birth for more than half my life, and I have traveled to far more countries than they ever did.

On the other hand, unlike many of my parents’ generation, many of whom enjoyed jobs with life-long career expectations, I have had a more erratic and inconsistent work experience – similar to my grandparents. In their cases, they either had to create their own work (e.g., small business owner) or endure periods of patchy employment. In my own case, I went into corporate employment at a relatively late age, and exited at age 50 – hitting something of a grey ceiling. Mainly for that reason, I have endeavoured to remain curious, stay open-minded, be flexible and willing to adapt – which I believe has helped me to maintain a “younger” subjective age. I think it also helps to have non-work pursuits and interests, so you can remain active if (and when) your employment comes to an end. Plus, having social interactions with people who are not all the same age as you can help to develop more of an inter-generational perspective.

One last comment – I was very surprised to read recently that according to a global study, boomers like me may be living longer, but not healthier, than our parents and grandparents. Despite medical advances, our lifestyles and other factors may result in more chronic disease and illness. I’m not suggesting that this decline is due to psychological ageing, but I can’t help thinking that if you say you are old, old age (and all its ailments) will soon catch up with you.

Next week: What “wallet” it say about you?