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More and more people are asking themselves the question, "What does aging gracefully really mean?"

There's a common perception that those who get older can and should age as gracefully as they can. They might use examples to prove that the alternative really isn't worth chasing, such as with celebrities that have had noticeable work done and look worse off for it. Simon Cowell, Madonna, and more are people that have clearly altered their appearance to look different as they get older. However, the real truth is more complex and nuanced than this. After all, "aging gracefully," while sounding good on the surface, is really rather vague. Does it mean you can never wear makeup as you get older, or you shouldn't visit the hair salon anymore? 

People are redefining what aging gracefully means, shedding the expectations society has placed on the elderly and focusing more on health and self-care. Age is just a number, after all, and if self-care and grooming help you feel like a more confident, more complete you, provided it's healthy and safe, then there should be no problem.

But yet, this perspective persists, and not entirely for invalid reasons. So what does aging gracefully even mean, and how can we apply the best perspective here? In this post, we'll discuss all of that and more. Let's take a look!

RELATED ARTICLE: 9 Best Tips To Look Younger And Age Gracefully

Determining Your Changing Style

Style changes as we get older, and that's okay. You might decide to wear more smart casual outfits such as smarter trousers, shirts that fit you, and jackets that hug your frame without being overly fitted. Although this rule isn't hard and fast (after all, Tony Hawk is 54 and still rocks his skating gear as well as he did during his prime), dressing to your level of maturity and insight can be a positive and dignified approach.

You might opt for more muted or pastel colors to show you can make an impression without being overly bold. Instead of many accessories, you might decide to wear fewer, more expensive, more statement pieces. As you can see, these are just suggestions, but as you get older growing into who you are with confidence can often inspire less "noise" and more "presence," which is an excellent way to age gracefully too. That said, if you feel like the opposite is important to you, that's entirely valid.

Readjusting To Your Grooming Needs

Of course, as we age, our self-grooming requirements change just a little. It's not flattering, but trimming your nose hair might be a new requirement, as can caring for your wrinkles, which you should never feel ashamed of. For some, a deep plane facelift recovery can help them sustain their good looks in a pleasant manner. For others, simply adjusting how they wear their makeup is enough.

It's also true that as we get older, our hair begins to thin. This is especially true for men who may experience hair loss, but for women too. As such, using nutritious hair solutions to help feed and sustain what we have, and perhaps dying our hair less often or with less toxic chemicals can be important. 

It's impossible to offer you a specific grooming plan as you age because everyone's bodies are different. That said, it's good to be observant and to focus on how you're changing, to accept those changes, and to care for yourself as you go through them. If you can achieve this, then you're sure to feel your best self going forward.

Curating The Right Social Support

Sometimes, aging gracefully is less about how we look and more about the systems we've built in life to rely on. For example, curating the right social support is a worthwhile use of your time, as a supportive friend group of people you appreciate can help you greet those older years with dignity.

It might be that you meet with old friends, your grown children, or simply go out to dinner with your partner each week. Aging gracefully means nurturing and appreciating those relationships we hold, and realizing that they're the reason for everything to begin with. This is often the age where people reassess how they socialize with others, and if they need to be a little more humble, listen a little more, or work on being a better friend. That can all be a wonderful way to age with comfort, kindness, and nobility.

Accepting Your Age, But Never Feeling Bound By It

Perhaps the main component of "accepting your age" involves accepting you are the age you are. This doesn't have to bind you in any way, but if you reach your fifties, it can be worth considering what that means to you, how you wish to carry yourself, and your priorities in life.

In some cases, accepting your age can be a freeing perspective more than a limiting one. For example, if you're just about to turn thirty (something many twenty-year-olds dread), it's important to realize that you're actually very young still, have plenty of time to experience that which you appreciate, and now have the candor and experience of your twenties with you. It's better to appreciate what you have instead of lamenting what you haven't.

Making Use Of That Renewed Wisdom

It's often said that youth is wasted on the young. This shouldn't be an insult to the youth; it's just that the prime years of physical capability are often wasted at a time when we're still trying to figure ourselves out.

That said, as we get older, we can make use of that added wisdom we curate. We now know how to avoid bad relationships or look for signs they might be present. Our friendships reduce in quantity but grow in quality. We might actually have something to say, be that politically, or creatively, in writing a book, songwriting, or poetry.

Sure, you might not be as spry as you once were, but spiritually that doesn't have to be the case, nor does your attitude have to get sour as you grow. If you keep that flame of wisdom alive, you will have grown capably.

Changing How You Care For Your Health

As we grow older, it's natural that our health needs and priorities might change. Adapting gracefully means that you need to acclimate to these changes and proactively manage your well-being. Many people find that a more holistic approach, incorporating regular health screenings and changing their healthcare routine, helps them to feel their best. For example, looking after your hearing health is often overlooked; yes, it is important for a good quality of life. Regular visits to a healthcare specialist, such as an audiologist, can make a huge difference in catching any hearing issues early and preventing them from becoming further complications. Embracing these types of proactive health measures means that you can adjust gracefully to the evolving needs of your body as you age.

With this advice, you're sure to age gracefully in every way. It may take some time to get there, but like anything, this is a process, not a test, to pass. What are your thoughts about the concept of aging gracefully? Let us know in the comments!