Being in charge is not about digging in your heels and stubbornly refusing to move, change, or accept help. Being in charge is about making good decisions. Period.
One way or another you are going to end up alone and dealing with more physical and mental issues than you would like to admit. It is just the way it is.
You can stay in your own home, live with a family member, or move into a community of like-minded individuals. It is up to you. Where you live is not as important as “how” you live.
Most people do not like being alone. There is safety in numbers. Knowing what to expect makes you feel safe and comfortable, but as you move into uncharted territory nothing makes sense anymore. All of the rules, regulations, and guidelines that have kept you on an even keel no longer apply.
You liked rules. You hated rules. There were times when you wanted to tear your hair out, but you felt safe and you knew exactly what was expected of you. Hair may not be an option now but the need for peace, order, and safety persists.
The desire to age in place is universal. More and more people, particularly women, find themselves living alone or in the role of a caregiver for the first time in their lives. The need for self-care has reached epic heights.
Aging is insidious. It is a bitter blow when it dawns on you that things are not going to get better on their own. You are being forced into a new and frightening situation through no fault of your own.
Where to start? Fortunately, researchers have been studying aging for a long time. They have concluded that you can become a healthier, stronger, version of yourself, but that it will take determination, hard work and a considerable amount of help.
Take a minute. Give yourself a break. Breathe. Get out of the house. Reconnect with family and friends. Change things up a bit. Accept you’re your family, your friends, and community need you as much as you need them.
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