By Mark McNease

New year, same old ageism. We’re surrounded by messages telling us that getting older is something to fight, hide, or delay. At the very least, we’re told to ‘age gracefully,’ because it’s required of us if we’re to be seen in public. We must be demure, soft-spoken, quiet. Loud, outspoken and old just won’t do.

Not here, and not by me. Aging is not a personal failure. It’s not something we did wrong. It’s a sign we’re still here, whether anyone wants to acknowledge us or not.

Health in later life isn’t about chasing youth or punishing your body into compliance. It’s about function, comfort, connection, and quality of life. It’s about knowing your body well enough to listen to it, and trusting ourselves to respond with care rather than criticism.

This column – this year – will be focused on our everyday realities: energy that comes and goes, sleep that changes, bodies that behave differently than they used to. We’ll talk honestly about what’s normal, what’s worth paying attention to, and what simply comes with time.