In this day and age I feel like we have it a bit too easy. I think we have too many “modern conveniences” allowing us to do less and less making us become more sedentary and antisocial. In my humble opinion I believe it puts us at risk. Until we have no choice I feel it is important to do as much as we can, for as long as we can to stave off the inevitable, which is of course is aging.
Online shopping (while super convenient and I have used it myself for years) is one of those things I do a lot less often these days. Before when I was working full time and raising a family it was extremely helpful and saved me a lot of time and money. Now that I’m retired I no longer have that need so I am only using online shopping as a last resort.
I need to shop in person for a variety of reasons. I need to maintain my driving skills as I navigate traffic. I need the exercise involved with walking through the store and the social aspect of being around other people. I need to select and collect my own items, read labels, compare prices and do the math as well as make good decisions even with background noise surrounding me. I need to load and unload my own stuff and keep up my arm strength.
I need to continue to do my own housekeeping. I need to do my own home, yard and car maintenance. I need to make things, read things, smell things, see things and feel things. I need fresh air. I need to cook my own meals. I need to know what it feels like to still accomplish things for a long time to come. I need to be challenged. I need to live an independent and productive lifestyle for as long as my body will allow.
By doing more for ourselves I feel we can live a fuller and richer life, a healthier one too. As tempting as all of the offers are ($30 off my first order plus special sales prices just for online shoppers) to have my groceries delivered right to my doorstep I’m holding off. I’m going to wait until I no longer have the choice to get in the car and go to the store myself. I’m not going to buy a robot vacuum cleaner until I feel that I truly need one. I’m going to continue to hand wash my dishes, my floors, my vehicles and myself. For as long as I can I will recognize the importance of doing.
I agree with you. It is important for us to keep moving and doing and learning. I have never ordered groceries and do not plan to unless I am physically unable to go. I like picking out my own items too much.
ReplyDeleteMe too. ;)
DeleteI think about this sort of thing often. My mother, who lived to 93, believed in hanging your laundry out to dry, gardening as exercise, and washing her own dishes. She rarely ate out unless it was social. And she liked walking around a store looking at everything. There is a lot of wisdom in doing for yourself.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more.
DeleteAmen‼️ from a 78 y.o. who just got told by her dr. that she is ‘very healthy’! We live in the country in a multi-storied home, keep chickens, an orchard and a large vegetable garden. My husband takes full care of the outside - he’s going out right now to fill some drainage holes with rock! - and I clean inside, cook all things from scratch, hang the laundry out, etc.
ReplyDeleteI think what you are describing is a ‘spirit of independence’ that starts young and, I believe, will serve one well for many reasons. We are never bored and really appreciate our abilities, knowing it can all change in an instant. Now…my break is over….back to work : )
The two of you are an inspiration. Good for you!
DeleteI agree!
ReplyDeleteWhen covid hit in 2020 I was in and out of my car every single day. I had one child still at home. With the shutdown and then my daughter moving out to her own place a few months later my activity level dropped significantly. I had no idea that it had kept 10-15 pounds at bay. 5 years later I'm still battling those 10-15 pounds. I didn't significantly increase my calorie intake so obviously I need to get moving more. My husband got my bike out of storage and cleaned it up. So I'll be using that for more exercise but I will be starting gradually.
Walking and cycling are the two best low impact things we can do for our mobility. Good for you Margaret!
DeleteI think this is probably one of the smartest posts I've read in years! Everything you said is so true and after visiting two relatives in two different nursing homes yesterday, this is so very important. One, who is now 90 years old, is recovering from a fall, but still looking healthy and herself. She has lived by herself for years and stayed extremely active every day. The other person, who is 85, is withering away and has no desire to do anything but stay in the bed and watch tv, which is all she ever did while living at home. She looks every bit of 85 and her body is wasting away. She is not ill. She has just lived a life of everyone doing everything for her and now she truly has to live like that. Your mind and body have to remain active and challenged to remain viable. Like I said...great and wise post!
ReplyDeleteThank you Debbie. I have an aunt that retired at age 56 and rarely left her house after that. She just turned 80 and is in assisted living memory care unable to walk on her own. It makes me very sad for her.
DeleteHear, hear! I agree! Very well- and wisely-said! I think when some people reach retirement age, they subconsciously (and sometimes consciously!) accept the idea that it is time to “fade” and just accept the idea that “they are old” and “old” people don’t do “that” (whatever “that” is…..it may be traveling, mowing your own lawn, driving out of town, etc.). If there is a good reason (physical changes, etc.) to back off, then that’s one thing, but just because a calendar page may have turned over is definitely NOT a good reason!
ReplyDeleteAnne
I know myself, I could easily become a hermit if I allowed it.
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