On Eldering - a vlog

Watch the vlog https://youtu.be/B-aiE3IrsYg?si=13a4ZeU9ArtogRSu

Vlog Summary

I've been thinking deeply about the transition into elderhood and how life stages shape who we become. Recently, I turned 46, and as my children move into adulthood, I've been reflecting on my own next stage of life. According to the life model by Jim Wilder, when your youngest child reaches 13, it's time to step into an elder role. It’s a shift that goes beyond parenting – a kind of transcendence, where you're still a parent, but the focus is on offering wisdom and guidance.

In my own journey, I’m working on a manifesto about conscious eldering. I've been inspired by my experience working in aged care and observing how people in their later years approach life. As a society, we’re living longer, and by 2050, a quarter of the population will be over 75. The question isn’t just about physical health, but whether we're also developing spiritually and emotionally.

As I reflect on this future, I wonder what kind of person I need to become. Our generation faces challenges like rising costs of living, housing, and more. Yet, there’s also an opportunity for a more collective and mature way of living – like moving towards intergenerational homes, similar to Southeast Asia, where families live together and support one another. This conscious elderhood, as Ron Pevny calls it, is about offering the next generation the gift of a post-heroic, contemplative soul.

If this resonates with you, I'd love to hear your thoughts. What does eldering mean to you, and how do you see yourself contributing to the future?

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If you're interested in diving deeper into these ideas, let me know, and we can explore more together.