Overcoming the fear of getting older
The fear of getting older — known as FOGO (fear of getting old) — affects far more people than you might imagine. Still, it remains one of those quiet taboos that many prefer not to address. That fear can stem from physical concerns like appearance and health, but also from deeper emotional layers: losing independence, feeling isolated, or watching time slip away. Here’s a gentle guide to making peace with the passing years and maybe even learning to embrace them.
Where the fear comes from
Modern culture doesn’t make it easy. In advertising, entertainment, and social media, youth is often portrayed as the golden ticket to beauty, success, and vitality. The message is clear: being young equals being worthy. The result? Aging starts to look like loss of relevance, attractiveness, and possibility.
Add to that the everyday worries that come with life’s later chapters: slowing energy, health challenges, shrinking social circles, or financial pressure. For many older adults, the unknowns ahead and the loss of control they bring can fuel anxiety and sadness.
The changes that come with ages
Getting older means adjusting to many kinds of change, from physical and social to emotional and personal.
Physical changes
Wrinkles appear. Skin becomes thinner and less elastic. Hair turns gray, and fatigue can set in more easily. The body may not bounce back as quickly, and new health conditions can appear over time.
Social changes
People who grow older experience many kinds of change, whether within their family, their work environment, or their social circle.
When it comes to family life, this is often the stage when children leave the nest to start homes of their own. This transition can bring major upheavals, as a once lively house suddenly becomes calm and quiet.
It is also the time when thoughts of retirement begin to surface. Everyday routines shift, and a complete reorganization of one’s schedule and lifestyle often follows.
Sadly, this period of life can also bring loss. Some friends or loved ones pass away, leaving older adults to face the grief of saying goodbye to people who were deeply cherished.
A change in identity
The roles we once played can shift. Being a parent, a worker, or a caregiver may no longer define who we are. It becomes important to rediscover ourselves and to find new meaning in this stage of life.
Turning fear into opportunity
Aging is not only about decline. It can also bring growth and renewal. With age comes experience, confidence, and resilience.
This time of life can be a chance to explore new paths, to start projects, or to take up interests that were once set aside. Many people in their 50s, 60s, or 70s are painting, travelling, running, or starting small businesses. What matters most is not speed but the willingness to keep moving forward.
The way we experience aging depends a lot on our attitude. Focusing on what remains possible helps reduce fear and gives more space to joy and curiosity.
How to make peace with getting older
There is no single way to age well, but you can take steps to feel balanced and fulfilled.
- Take care of your health: Stay active with regular exercise, eat nourishing food, and keep regular medical check-ups.
- Care for your emotional well-being: Try meditation or gratitude practices, and find ways to manage stress kindly.
- Keep your relationships strong: Remain connected with family and friends or get involved in your community.
- Set new goals: Learn something new, plan a trip, or start a creative project that excites you.
- Change your inner dialogue: Focus on everything you have built and experienced instead of what you feel you have lost.
Living actively and staying engaged helps both body and mind stay healthy. When you choose to participate fully in life, aging becomes less of a fear and more of a new beginning.
It’s your turn! Enjoy your life no matter what age!
Text written in collaboration with Vie de Grands-Parents