5.2
I’m 60 and I suppose I notice my age a lot and compare myself to others my age. Depending on the context I can feel less than or more than in the assumptions of my age. I lament my youth in a way that I think things like, ‘i wish I did this or that when I was young’, and in some ways I transfer that thought on to young people. Thinking they are or they are not living their best life. So ageism to me is closely related to judgments based in my life and how I lived then and now.
I can have a judgment on older people around their perceptions of politics and justice, and yet when I have turned up to anti war ralleys there are plenty of older people who are there in solidarity. So I’m constantly have to readjust my thinking and judging. Sometimes the automatic thinking takes over and catch myself in those ageist concepts, beliefs and judgements.
i judge myself and try to be conscious of my inner dialogue that engages in thoughts that say because of my age I can’t do something or that because of my situation it proves that I’m older or getting older and that can be perceived as good or bad. For instance I have a belief that being older as a therapist is good and yet I also believe that older therapists may not have the current training that is imperative for today’s practice, especially with younger clients.
There are a plethora of ideas, thoughts and beliefs that cross my mind and I’m constantly having go remind myself. This exercise has definitely supported new and aware thoughts and patterns.
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