6 Really Good Things That Have Come With Getting Older

When you're young, you have time and energy but no money, when you're middle-aged, you have energy and money and no time. And when you're old, you have time and money, but no energy.

Such is the quagmire of youth. They tell you not to waste any time. Treat life like YOLO. That's what they say, right. Dance like nobody is watching! We want to enjoy our youth! Do adventurous stuff and just throw our cares in the wind. Truth be told, most of us don't want to miss out on things. We don't look forward to getting older. And while we all start to see some, well, interesting signs of ageing, I've come to realize that not everything about getting older is negative. In fact, there are a lot of non-tangible benefits to growing up, and they can make you stronger, better version of yourself.

Here's a list of actually good things that have come with getting older...

I know my strengths, weaknesses and what I'm capable of- I've gone through a lot of things. Good relationships. Bad relationships. Horrible break-ups. Challenges with career and jobs. Failure with my personal goals and what not. I've been rejected and hang up on.

Now I know for certain that I can deal with whatever life throws at me because I've survived so much, and this too shall pass. Someone always has it worse.

I've realized that life is about experiences - the realization that my life or my time in this world is infinite has made me think a lot about the bucket list experiences that I have yet to do. So I've started checking them off and I'm trying on working on doing all of them. I have traveled the world, met people of other culture and races, worked with a multi-culture and diverse people and experienced a lot of adventures. Life is short. Do things. Do everything. In the end, those experiences will change you for the better and making you a well-rounded person with a wider, broader sense of the world.

I am not afraid to ask for what I want. Not anymore. The thing with getting older, you realize that if you don't ask for it, you don't get it.

I've come to accept people for who they are. You cannot change people. I have wasted enough time in my life trying. Now, I don't anymore. I don't bother. I understand that people are just living their truth, and if it doesn't fit with mine, I have two choices: I choose not to interact with them; or I can value them for everything else they bring into my life.

I realize my ability to make an impact on people's lives- I have a great job. It's noble profession. Being a nurse made me realize what impact I'm making on other people's lives. It's what puts me in the position to help people change their lives as well.

I am grateful for what I have (and don't have). There's a saying: In the end, all that matters is how much you loved, and how much you were loved. When I think of my life, I know I've loved fiercely and have loved fully. I am grateful for the experiences I've had. I may not have suffered a whole lot at the time but I have learned a lot from all I have been through. I know I've been through a lot but I am pretty sure many other people have had it worse.

I am sure as I grow older, there will be more things that I will come to appreciate. Will be taking it one thing at a time.

XOXO,

Karen