Celebrate your years this Age Without Limits Day

We live in a society where ageing often isn't celebrated. From jokes on birthday cards and countless anti-ageing creams in shops, to the news headlines associating older age with frailty and decline, we are constantly bombarded with pessimistic messages about getting older. Ageing is seen as something to hide, commiserate or fight against, and not something to celebrate.

All of this has very real consequences. The messages we see and hear all the time affect the ways we all think and feel about ageing, leading to stereotypes and assumptions about our abilities and interests based on our age – often without us even noticing. In other words, the seemingly casual things we see and hear in everyday life lead to ageism, and this affects everything from our worth to our work, our health to our happiness.

Yet, the negative representations of age and ageing around us are not the full picture. There are challenges that come with age of course, but also new interests, fresh knowledge, unexpected careers, meaningful friendships, the deepening lifelong hobbies, and so much more. The years we’ve lived, and all our experiences, are part of what makes us who we are. Ageist barriers often limit our opportunities, but it’s this broad range of life experiences which should be available to all of us as we get older. We all have a role to play in making these barriers a thing of the past.

I'm a great believer in doing what you want to do at any age - and "to hell" with what other people think! I'm 75 and since the age of 63 have run my own business . The only change I have made is cutting my hours down from 5 days a week to 2. I'm often asked, when am I going to retire. My stock answer is what makes you think I want to retire? - Campaign supporter

If we are to create a future free from ageism, we need to celebrate our age as something to be proud of, and we need to challenge negative assumptions and stereotypes about ageing.

That’s exactly what we’re doing for Age Without Limits Day on Wednesday 11 June this year, with the theme: Celebrate Ageing. Challenge Ageism.

Ageing is living: we are all ageing, all the time. Reclaiming pride in the natural, inevitable process of ageing is a powerful and direct challenge to the ageist narratives we grow up with. When we celebrate our age, we are taking a stand against the assumptions and stereotypes that hold us back, and we are taking a stand against ageism.

To me age is just a number, and if you want to do something that doesn't fit to your age group then just do it. It's your life and you shouldn't limit yourself! - Campaign supporter

Here are some ways you can get involved and celebrate your age on the day:

Wear an age badge to celebrate your years with pride! Why not also share your exact age with others in years and months (e.g. I am 63 and 7 months old), reclaiming the joy and pride we feel as children when telling others our age.
Make a pledge of something you’ll do to celebrate your age on the day and throughout the year, like continuing a hobby you love or taking up something you’ve always wanted to try.
Host an event like a quiz, film night or coffee and chat to bring people together and reflect on what celebrating ageing means to you all.
Post on social media to spread the word and talk about why celebrating age is important to you, using #AgeWithoutLimitsDay.

Together, we can create a society where age is celebrated, and where everyone, regardless of their age, can lead a life of dignity, respect, and opportunity.

You should hope to get old! For me ‘age’ is an acronym – Already Got Experience! And my aim is to enjoy it, and keep being curious about the world, not let my world get smaller. - Mindy, Campaign storyteller

Join us this Age Without Limits Day! Find out more, download resources and get involved.

Written by Kate Flanagan, Campaigns Officer at Centre for Ageing Better.