You may recall from the last blog my push-back against the pejorative "OK Boomer." It’s demeaning and dismissive, but is it entirely undeserved?
Let me clarify. I was born at the tail end of the boom and am seeing an increasing number of friends and colleagues settling into retirement. With two kids in university, joining them is not in the cards, and I don’t see myself (yet) as part of this cohort of golfers, brunchers, and world travellers.
Maybe I'm experiencing a delayed mid-life crisis, nursing the belief that I haven't peaked yet as I remain fully immersed in tech, pop culture, and fitness.
Bottom line: I’m not ready to slow down and become the proverbial ‘old geezer’ that the younger generations complain about. As Neil Young once sang: "It's better to burn out than to fade away." (or "to rust," which was also in the lyrics of his signature song)
Mind you, quoting old 'Shakey' may be not be helping my cause.
Fitness Is Not Just for Millennials and Gen Z’ers
You've heard it a thousand times, but let's make it a thousand and one: staying fit isn't just for the Instagrammy youth. You needn’t take mirror selfies at the gym (unless that's your thing) or become the next CrossFit superstar. But do keep moving.
The goal isn't to give your kids or grandkids a run for their money in the 100-meter dash (although, as a masters athlete, I can still do that). It's about keeping that vitality, the spark that says, "I'm not ready for the rocking chair."
And don’t fear sweat and discomfort. I push myself as hard as I did decades ago, but have never really slacked off. That may not be for you. Always check first with your doctor before embarking on any fitness program. No need for setbacks at this stage in life.
Look sharp
It’s not just an album and song from 1980s pop singer Joe Jackson. We North Americans can learn a lot from the smartly-dressed grownups in countries like Italy and France, where baggy sweats and oversized Ts are a huge faux pas.
Dress in a way that reflects who you are – stylish, confident, and evergreen. Yes, comfort is key, but let's not make it synonymous with "I've given up." Find that middle ground between "runway ready" and "ready for bed."
And buy clothing that fits! Which is all the more flattering when you stay physically fit.
Avoid Boomer stereotypes - keep up with tech
Technology isn't just for the young. It was the Boomer generation who invented much of it (Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, etc.). Even Elon Musk (Gen X) is over 50. Sure, the world's evolving, but you've been part of that change. Personal computers and mobile phones began life in the 1980s – before most of the young whippersnappers were born. So why stop now? Don't shy away from the latest gadgets, gizmos, or social media trends, and toss that flip phone if you still have one!
And lastly, you've probably used Zoom hundreds of times, so if you keep hearing "You're muted, you're muted!" know that you're just feeding into the boomer stereotype.
Enough geezer talk
You've lived through disco, mullets, and dial-up internet, and have earned the right to be set in your ways. But why would you? Take a chance on the new. Flex those muscles, flaunt your style or your personal brand, tweet – and even TikTok.
Age may be just a number, but that’s no more than a boring cliché if you’re starting to look and sound like the parents and grandparents you complained about decades ago. Please, however, resist the urge to start dressing and speaking like your twentysomething kids or grandkids. That’s just sad when you’re sixty. Instead, try embracing your strengths (wisdom, life experience, the ability to count change in your head), while maintaining and hopefully improving your physical and cognitive fitness.
Stay engaged in the world as it is (not how it was). And above all, kick some ass!
Neil Moore is a communications specialist, freelance journalist, masters athlete, and family man who believes that excellence has no expiry date.
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