It feels as though there’s a designated day, week, or month for pretty much every cause and movement now. What did we do before we had national and international awareness days?

Well, mostly we stayed unaware. We operated within our own zones of comfort and we didn’t really concern ourselves with what didn’t directly impact us.

While it may seem overwhelming with so many causes to understand and advocate for, each one holds its own significance and merit. And ageism is something that can affect us all.

Ageism is the stereotyping of, and discrimination against, individuals based on their age. It’s been referred to as “one of the last socially acceptable prejudices”.

While we most often experience ageism as a result of getting older, it’s something that can happen to us at any stage of our lives.

Ageism manifests in various forms, from dismissive comments in the workplace to media representation that perpetuates stereotypes. These attitudes not only undermine the contributions of us as individuals, but also rob society of the wisdom, resilience, creativity and innovation that come with our lived experience.

Ageism Awareness Day matters because it offers us an opportunity to confront the biases that often take root in societal norms.

Challenging Ageism in Our Daily Lives

In order to combat ageism, it’s important to acknowledge and challenge our perceptions. We can start by considering both the language we use and the images we embrace. Are we unconsciously reinforcing stereotypes by labeling older individuals as “past their prime” or “out of touch”? Do we dismiss younger people as “lacking in wisdom” or being part of “a clueless generation”?

Shifting our mindset is essential. Instead of seeing age as a limitation, we need to recognize that our lives have meaning at every stage, and our contributions are valuable no matter what age we are.

This is something I’m actively working on, especially with regard to younger medical professionals. I’ve had a couple of recent appointments that have given me pause to reflect on the biases I unknowingly carry. More than once, I’ve caught myself assessing a doctor’s competence based on their age rather than their credentials or experience.

The reality is that expertise comes in many forms, and a practitioner’s age doesn’t negate their knowledge or commitment. I don’t want to disregard somebody’s wisdom or care because I think they’re too young, or too old, to effectively treat me.

The Power of Representation

Media plays a huge role in shaping public perception. Advocating for authentic portrayals of aging is essential, and ones that are relevant to 2024. We are not our mothers or our grandmothers. The way we navigate life in our 40s, 50s, and 60s+ today is markedly distinct from their journeys.

I’ve been disheartened on many occasions when I’ve searched online for images of women in midlife. More often than not, the internet delivers me pictures of women who appear to be stuck in a fashion time warp, or who are struggling in some way. We’re regularly depicted as being over the hill and irrelevant.

We need stories and visuals that showcase the dynamic lives of older women. We are entrepreneurs, artists, activists, and mothers. We are innovative, creative, and forward thinking. We have navigated personal and professional challenges, and our perspectives are invaluable. We are poised to become some of the most influential voices in society. We are pursuing our passions and our dreams, and we deserve to have our multitudes seen, heard, and represented.

Highlighting our rich diversity demonstrates that life doesn’t begin or end at a certain age, but rather continues to evolve into new and exciting chapters.

Creating Spaces of Support

As a writer, coach and pro-aging advocate, I stand firmly against ageism and strive to create a sanctuary for midlife women. I wanted to create such a space of support because that’s exactly what I felt I needed when I was in my early forties. My body was changing, my hormones were fluctuating, my skin was visibly aging, and, according to mainstream media, my best days were behind me.

Thankfully, I realized that the very opposite was true. But it took some work on my part, and it helped greatly to be in community with other women who were also challenging societal norms and ageist stereotypes.

In order for us to feel empowered to embrace aging, we need spaces where we uplift one another, share our stories, and cultivate connections that show us aging doesn’t have to mean giving up or simply fading into the background.

It’s also important to support initiatives that promote intergenerational dialogue. This is how we bridge the gap between ages; by promoting understanding and respect among different generations.

Taking Action Together

Here are a few ways we can take action to help eradicate ageism and create new norms that are age inclusive.

1. Educate Yourself and Others: Familiarize yourself with the realities of ageism and engage in conversations that raise awareness. Today is a great day to initiate a conversation, but it’s always a good day to talk about ageism.
   

2. Amplify Voices: Share stories of midlife women who defy stereotypes and show the world that age can be a powerful catalyst for transformation. If your own story is one of those, then even better. The world needs to hear it.
   

3. Support Inclusive Policies: Advocate for workplace policies and social structures that respect and elevate individuals of all ages, ensuring opportunities for everyone.
   

4. Practice Empathy: Approach discussions about age with sensitivity and compassion, recognizing the unique experiences and challenges faced by others. Don’t assume to know best or better. We learn a great deal by listening.

Together, we can create a cultural shift towards embracing age rather than fearing it or making fun of it. Ageism Awareness Day is not only a reminder of what we’re working towards—it’s a call to action.

Let’s stand united, challenging stereotypes and celebrating our journeys. Let’s embrace the beauty of our experiences and build a world where every age is valued and respected. It will take all of us, but I believe we can achieve this. To quote Arundhati Roy, “Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”

If you’d like some more more pro-aging support, check out my online audio course Aging Courageously: A Guide to Goal Setting & Purposeful Living. Join thousands of women who are embracing midlife with renewed zest and passion.