Two years ago, when I started paying more attention to how people talk about age, I noticed something strange:

A lot of people over 50 quietly start to believe they should slow down.

Wow, were they wrong.

Here’s what I’ve learned from watching my 84-year-old mom who’s had two back surgeries and still moves with more energy than people half her age:

1. Movement is non-negotiable
My mom walks four miles a day, every day. I’ve tried keeping up with her pace. It’s humbling. She also strength trains to support her bones.

For her, movement isn’t about motivation or goals. It’s just part of life. She says it keeps her strong, steady, and clear-headed.

2. Flexibility is strength
Most people her age struggle to get up from a chair.

She can still touch her palms to the floor. Stretching is part of her routine. So is standing tall, moving with purpose, and refusing to shrink into invisibility.

3. Staying busy keeps you young
She cooks for the family, tends the garden, debates politics, keeps up with trends, and insists she’s “too busy” to sit still. And it’s true, she is. That sense of purpose? That’s her fuel.

Just goes to show - you can’t possibly know what aging can look like until you stop assuming what it should.