Growing Older, Growing Stronger: 4 Lessons That Changed How I See Aging

My parents just left after a visit, and as I stood in my now-quiet kitchen, I found myself reflecting on something we all experience—but don’t talk about enough: how we age, and how we care for ourselves along the way.

It’s tender, isn’t it? Watching the people you love grow older. You realize that the big adventures you once dreamed of may never happen. That some of the most meaningful moments now happen around the kitchen table—slower, simpler, but somehow deeper.

It just so happened that I’d recently completed a course on Lifestyle & Aging, and the timing couldn’t have been better. What I learned gave me a whole new appreciation for the ways we can support ourselves—physically, emotionally, and socially—as we grow older.

Here are the four biggest lessons I walked away with:

1. Movement is Medicine

I’m not working out to exhaustion 6 days a week anymore, But I do know that when I move my body—even if it’s just a walk with the dogs, some stretching between clients, or dancing in the kitchen—I feel more like myself.

You don’t need a hardcore fitness plan to age well. Gentle, regular movement helps keep joints happy, muscles strong, and balance intact. It also boosts mood, memory, sleep, and even digestion.

Small, consistent movement adds up—and it’s never too late to start.

2. Food Should Nourish, Not Punish

I’ve spent years healing my relationship with food, and this course reminded me: food is a gift.

As we age, our nutritional needs shift. A whole-foods-based diet rich in color, fiber, healthy fats, and protein becomes more important than ever—for digestion, hormone balance, skin health, and energy.

Think: meals that are joyful, satisfying, and deeply nourishing—not restrictive or complicated.

Also: don’t forget water. Even mild dehydration can impact mood, memory, and skin elasticity.

3. Purpose is a Lifelong Fuel

This one really hit home. Purpose doesn’t have to be grand or public—it can be your garden, your grandchildren, your morning ritual, your creativity, and your healing.

When you feel useful, inspired, or connected to something bigger than your to-do list, you naturally take better care of yourself and show up with more energy and intention.

Purpose isn’t a phase of life—it’s a practice.

4. Community is Everything

One of the biggest joys in my life is the community I’ve built through my wellness practice and beyond. Even little connections—those casual conversations, the shared laughter, the people who “get” you—can have a massive impact on how we feel.

Loneliness is more dangerous to our health than we often realize. But meaningful connection—even in small, regular doses—has a way of lifting us up, grounding us, and giving life richness.

A walk with a friend, a phone call, a coffee date—it all matters more than we think.

A Real-Life Example: My Grandma

If I ever need a reminder of what aging well truly looks like, I think of my grandma—who turns 100 this summer.

She lived in her own home into her 90s. She never missed an Edmonton Oilers home game as a season ticket holder for over 40 YEARS. She walked almost everywhere, volunteered in her community, spent time with her nine grandkids, and always made space for connection, laughter, and purpose.

She’s living proof that movement, family, purpose, community—and joy are the real pillars of a full, vibrant life.

Aging isn’t something to resist. It’s something to honor.

It’s not about chasing youth—it’s about feeling good in your body, mind, and spirit right now, and building a foundation for the years ahead.

Wherever you are in your journey, I hope these reflections offer a little encouragement—and maybe even a shift in perspective.

And if you ever need a little extra motivation, just remember this:

Someone once asked Cher what her favorite age was.

Her answer? “If I could go back to any age, it would be 70.”

So if you’re reading this, chances are…

You haven’t even lived Cher’s best year yet. 😉

Here’s to aging well, living fully, and finding joy in every season.