Nobody Teaches Us How to Get Old

Nobody Teaches Us How to Get Old

Alex Gutierrez

We are taught many things in life—how to read, write, add, and subtract. Financial consultants guide us on what to do with our money, and schools equip us with knowledge to navigate the world. But there’s one thing that no one teaches us: how to get old.

Aging is an intensely personal experience, one that comes with its own set of challenges and realizations. As we grow older, we often find ourselves contemplating our mortality. As loved ones pass away, we’re reminded of our own inevitable end. For those of us who haven't embraced religion, the thought of death brings a unique kind of introspection. Perhaps, we wonder, everything we thought about happiness is wrong.

The truth is, aging doesn’t come with a manual. While society emphasizes the importance of career, family, and accumulating wealth, it rarely provides us with the tools to cope with the emotional and psychological shifts that occur with age. There’s no guide on how to accept the limitations of our bodies and minds, nor is there anyone who teaches us how to navigate the loss of friends and loved ones.

One thing I’ve learned is that the best way to help others is by sharing my experiences. I recently began writing these short articles as almost a "Self therapy" There’s immense comfort in knowing we’re not alone in the journey of aging. As we grow older, we find ourselves giving and receiving advice more often. We begin to appreciate friendships in new ways. The loss of friends and family members can make us more empathetic, more willing to listen, and more intentional in offering support.

None of us follow the rigid roles our parents once adhered to—man as the worker, woman as the housewife. Many of us started partying in the '70s, dancing the night away in discos, and staying out late. Yet here we are now, yawning at 10:30 PM, reflecting on how time changes everything.

As we age, it’s important to acknowledge the value of human connection. Friendships, especially in our later years, take on a new significance. There’s a deep sense of comfort in knowing that we’ve made it this far together, that we can seek and offer advice in the shared experience of aging. Perhaps the younger people around us will listen, unlike many of us did when we were younger. After all, the best way to face the future is to do so with others by our side, and to embrace the process of aging not as a burden, but as a collective journey of learning and sharing.