Ageing is inevitable, but feeling unvalued as you grow older isn’t.
It’s all about adopting the right habits. Habits that keep you vibrant, engaged, and most importantly, feeling valued.
These habits aren’t about changing who you are, but about enhancing what already makes you great. And I’ve got eight such habits to share with you.
So if you’re ready to feel more appreciated as you age, let’s dive into these eight empowering habits.
1) Embrace lifelong learning
Getting older doesn’t mean you should stop learning. Quite the opposite – embracing lifelong learning is one of the best habits you can develop as you age.
Why? Because it keeps you engaged, curious and relevant. And relevance is key to feeling valued.
When you’re seen as someone who is always learning, always growing, you’re seen as someone who brings value. And that’s not just in the professional sense. It could be anything from keeping up with technology to knowing the latest bestsellers to understanding current events.
Lifelong learning challenges the stereotype of age leading to stagnation. It shows that you’re adaptable and open, characteristics that are highly valued in today’s rapidly changing world.
But remember, it’s not about proving anything to anyone. It’s about enriching your own life and in the process, naturally increasing your value to others.
So if you want to feel more valued as you get older, make lifelong learning part of your daily routine.
2) Practice gratitude daily
Practicing gratitude has become a part of my daily routine for a long time, and I’ve found it to be a game-changer.
Every evening, I take a few minutes to think about what I’m grateful for. Sometimes it’s something big like good health, other times it’s something small like a really good cup of coffee.
And here’s the thing: it doesn’t just make me happier, it makes me feel more valued.
When I express gratitude for the people in my life – for their kindness, their support, or simply their presence – it strengthens my relationships with them. It reminds me that I am valued by those around me. And in turn, the appreciation I express makes them feel valued too.
So, consider making gratitude a daily habit. It’s a simple act that can have profound effects on your sense of self-worth as you age.
3) Stay physically active
Physical activity isn’t just about maintaining a healthy body weight or keeping your heart healthy. It’s also directly linked to your emotional well-being and sense of value.
Research shows that older adults who engaged in regular physical activity reported higher levels of self-esteem and felt more valued compared to their inactive counterparts.
Whether it’s a daily walk, yoga, or dancing around the living room, staying active can boost your mood, enhance your self-esteem, and make you feel more valued as you age. So why not lace up those sneakers and get moving?
4) Cultivate strong relationships
As we age, our relationships often become the cornerstone of our lives.
Maintaining strong connections with family, friends, and even your community can help you feel more valued. These relationships provide emotional support, a sense of belonging, and can even boost your self-esteem.
But remember, it’s not about the quantity of relationships but the quality. Surround yourself with people who respect you, appreciate you, and value your presence in their lives.
So make it a habit to invest time and energy in nurturing these relationships. Reach out to loved ones, make new friends, or get involved in your community. You’ll find that feeling valued comes naturally when you’re surrounded by people who truly care about you.
5) Practice self-love and acceptance
This might sound cliché, but it’s absolutely true: you have to love and accept yourself before others can do the same.
As we age, we often become our own harshest critics. We compare ourselves to our younger selves, or to others around us, leading to feelings of inadequacy and devaluation.
But here’s the truth – you’re not your past self, and you’re not anyone else. You are you, unique and valuable in your own right.
Practicing self-love and acceptance means acknowledging your worth, embracing your strengths and weaknesses, and loving yourself for who you are now.
It’s not an overnight process, but a daily habit of self-love can make a world of difference in how valued you feel. So look in the mirror, smile at the person staring back at you, and remind yourself that you are important, valued, and loved.
6) Share your wisdom and experiences
I’ve always found that sharing my wisdom and experiences makes me feel valued. It’s not about showing off or trying to prove something, but about contributing to the lives of others.
Think about it. You’ve lived, you’ve learned, you’ve experienced. You have a unique perspective on life that can benefit others, whether they’re younger family members, colleagues, or friends.
Don’t hold back. Share your wisdom, your skills, your experiences. It’s a habit that can make you feel more valued as you age because it reminds you – and others – of the unique value you bring to the table.
7) Stay socially engaged
As we age, it can be easy to retreat into our own little bubbles. But staying socially engaged is key to feeling valued.
This can mean different things to different people. For some, it may involve attending community events or volunteering. For others, it could be as simple as regularly calling up friends for a chat or going out for a weekly lunch.
Staying socially engaged keeps you connected with the world around you. It helps stave off feelings of loneliness and isolation, and it reminds you that you’re a part of something bigger.
Make it a habit to engage with others regularly. Remember, your presence matters and your contribution is valuable.
8) Believe in your value
At the end of the day, feeling valued as you age starts with believing in your own worth. It’s about recognizing that you matter, that your life experiences are important, and that you have a lot to offer the world.
This belief isn’t something that just happens. It’s a habit that you cultivate over time. It’s about reminding yourself each day of your unique value and worth.
Believe in yourself. Believe in your value. Because you matter, and you always will, no matter how old you get.
Final reflections
Feeling valued as we age isn’t an outcome of external circumstances alone, but more significantly, a result of our internal perspectives and daily habits.
Research in the field of positive psychology frequently highlights the profound impact of our habits on our self-perception and overall well-being. The daily practices we’ve explored, from embracing lifelong learning to believing in your own value, are all rooted in this understanding.
Ageing may be inevitable, but feeling undervalued isn’t. Each day is an opportunity to nurture the habits that reinforce your worth and value. No matter how old you get, you deserve to feel valued, appreciated and cherished.
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