I'm 65, and, as you know, I do stand-up comedy as a hobby. Most of the comedians I perform with are half my age—or younger—and they all call me sir. Which is both polite and a reminder that I’m probably the only one in the green room who remembers rotary phones.
But here’s the thing about aging that doesn’t get said enough: it’s not just about aches, prescriptions, or forgetting why you walked into a room. It’s about stories. Layers. Punchlines that come from places deeper than just trying to be edgy or cool. At this age, I’m not chasing approval—I’m chasing the truth wrapped in a laugh. I don’t care if the audience thinks I’m old. I care if they think I’m funny.
The great thing about getting older is you stop giving a damn about what people think. That fear of looking stupid, being wrong, or bombing on stage? You’ve lived through worse. You’ve lived. And that gives you a kind of comedic power you can’t fake.
So let the kids have their energy and memes—I’ll take my lived-in perspective and the kind of timing you only earn with time.
I never tell my age, I let them guess and have fun with it.
I love it, "the truth wrapped in a laugh"! Thanks so much, Antonio — for reading, and for being such an inspiration! Of course, I had you in mind in the section about my sixty-something friends.
I love this post. I think our generation is redefining aging in so many ways. I've discarded many of my own ideas about aging. Pretty sure I will always wear cutoff Levis, even once they are wearing me. I am happy to have the brand of confidence & resilience that I was only able to obtain through age and experience.
I love that! I'm so happy to see that more older people, especially older women, are continuing to dress how they've always dressed, rather than thinking they have to wear "old lady" clothes — whatever that is!
I couldn't agree with you more! I have a cousin who is not going into her elder years (she's 67) gracefully and it's not easy to watch. I wish she was able to embrace it as you have described and in which I, so fortunately, am managing to do. There is so much emotional disquiet there for her. Last, but not least, your photo is a testament to the fact that you so don't need to mourn the 'days of youth' photos from your past. You are very beautiful NOW.
Thank you, Sandy! I don't look as good in most photos these days, and I fully admit that's disconcerting. ;-) But I love so many other things about being older, and I'm glad you are also embracing it!
I'm turning 60 in a couple of months, and I have completely transitioned to being Grandpa Simpson. I'm OK with that. I was an old man when I was in college, so I'm just growing into myself now.
Thanks, Adam! My hope is that we can reframe what we mean by old; it doesn't have to be Grandpa Simpson, though if that's what works for you, go for it!
I don’t feel old yet, but I feel older. More gray hair, pains that linger longer. But I hope, inshallah, I have a couple more decades of mobility. I’m definitely not the person I was even 10 years ago, but, as they say in France, “that’s life.” They like to use English phrases there.
Patrick, thanks for reading and commenting! Are you still thinking of moving to France, or was it somewhere else in Europe? How are things, other than getting older?
I really want to reframe what we mean by old. There's so much that's good about it!
I went to Lyon for a week in February to check it out. I figured if I liked it during the worst time of the year I would love it the rest of the year. Turns out it is overcast most of the time. I’m now checking out places closer to the Mediterranean!
I’m also headed to Ireland for 10 days in August. I have Irish citizenship, I should go to Ireland at least once!
Ireland sounds fun! I was in Paris for a few days last October — late October, and it was cold and gloomy, but it was still Paris and I loved it. Of course, I'm living in sunny California, so it's easy to love Paris for a few days. Hope you find someplace great, keep me posted!
I am turning 64 this week and am happy to do it. The alternative is always worse at this point. What is hard about aging for me is not the number but the way I have to be more intentional to make friends and do the things I enjoy. People stop skiing and hiking and cooking together and start moving away and getting ill or just preoccupied with their life.
I do have life long friends and see my future as spending more time with them and sharing our aging together as well as meals adventures and humor about life. For me old is when you lose your resilience and capacity for change. I have supported loved ones through the process and hopefully learned more about squaring the circle of my physical capacity, my dreams and my environment. I am looking forward to being untethered from a job and am confident adventures, creative experiences, and laughter are in my future.
That all sounds great, Robin! I've always treasured my friendships, and I have some friends from childhood including from all other stages of my life. I find that as I age, friendships become even more important and more of a priority.
Hi Rosanna, I’m the same age as you, and although I’ve been unlucky with my health these past three years, creatively speaking I feel freer than ever. In fact I’ve never been so productive, have as much fun with my writing. I’m proud of my age! I enjoyed your post; thank you 🙏🤗
Thank you so much, Francesca! I'm so sorry about your health challenges and hope your health improves soon. It's interesting, and inspiring, that you've found this new freedom and fun even despite those challenges!
Thank you for your insightful essay, I Am Not 63 Years Young. Your candid reflection on the societal tendency to diminish the significance of age by using euphemisms like "young" is both thought-provoking and empowering. By asserting the importance of acknowledging one's true age, you challenge the pervasive ageism that often goes unspoken. Your words encourage a shift towards embracing authenticity and self-acceptance, reminding us all that age is not something to be disguised but celebrated.
Thank you for your generous and thoughtful response. I’m so glad I Am Not 63 Years Young spoke to you. It means a great deal to know that the essay resonated as a call for authenticity and a challenge to the subtle ways ageism is embedded in everyday language. Euphemisms like “young” may seem harmless, but as you pointed out, they often reflect deeper discomfort with aging itself. I appreciate your recognition of the importance of embracing our full selves—including our age—with honesty and pride. Thank you for joining me in pushing for a more inclusive and respectful conversation around aging.
(In an exception to my usual rule, this was written with ChatGPT, to match the comment I'm responding to.)
Great post, Rosana.
I'm 65, and, as you know, I do stand-up comedy as a hobby. Most of the comedians I perform with are half my age—or younger—and they all call me sir. Which is both polite and a reminder that I’m probably the only one in the green room who remembers rotary phones.
But here’s the thing about aging that doesn’t get said enough: it’s not just about aches, prescriptions, or forgetting why you walked into a room. It’s about stories. Layers. Punchlines that come from places deeper than just trying to be edgy or cool. At this age, I’m not chasing approval—I’m chasing the truth wrapped in a laugh. I don’t care if the audience thinks I’m old. I care if they think I’m funny.
The great thing about getting older is you stop giving a damn about what people think. That fear of looking stupid, being wrong, or bombing on stage? You’ve lived through worse. You’ve lived. And that gives you a kind of comedic power you can’t fake.
So let the kids have their energy and memes—I’ll take my lived-in perspective and the kind of timing you only earn with time.
I never tell my age, I let them guess and have fun with it.
I love it, "the truth wrapped in a laugh"! Thanks so much, Antonio — for reading, and for being such an inspiration! Of course, I had you in mind in the section about my sixty-something friends.
I love this post. I think our generation is redefining aging in so many ways. I've discarded many of my own ideas about aging. Pretty sure I will always wear cutoff Levis, even once they are wearing me. I am happy to have the brand of confidence & resilience that I was only able to obtain through age and experience.
I love that! I'm so happy to see that more older people, especially older women, are continuing to dress how they've always dressed, rather than thinking they have to wear "old lady" clothes — whatever that is!
Wow, this is beautiful & inspiring! It is a privilege to age. As a friend 25 years my senior used to always say, "It beats the alternative!"
Thank you so much, Elaine! It is indeed a privilege, and so far I'm appreciating it more than I would have thought!
This post is so beautiful and so inspiring!
Thank you so much, Rebekah, I'm glad it spoke to you!
Brava!
I couldn't agree with you more! I have a cousin who is not going into her elder years (she's 67) gracefully and it's not easy to watch. I wish she was able to embrace it as you have described and in which I, so fortunately, am managing to do. There is so much emotional disquiet there for her. Last, but not least, your photo is a testament to the fact that you so don't need to mourn the 'days of youth' photos from your past. You are very beautiful NOW.
Thank you, Sandy! I don't look as good in most photos these days, and I fully admit that's disconcerting. ;-) But I love so many other things about being older, and I'm glad you are also embracing it!
Great piece Rosana.
I'm turning 60 in a couple of months, and I have completely transitioned to being Grandpa Simpson. I'm OK with that. I was an old man when I was in college, so I'm just growing into myself now.
Love the Isabella Rossellini quote.
Thanks, Adam! My hope is that we can reframe what we mean by old; it doesn't have to be Grandpa Simpson, though if that's what works for you, go for it!
Ok, Boomer! (jk, we’re the same age)
I don’t feel old yet, but I feel older. More gray hair, pains that linger longer. But I hope, inshallah, I have a couple more decades of mobility. I’m definitely not the person I was even 10 years ago, but, as they say in France, “that’s life.” They like to use English phrases there.
Patrick, thanks for reading and commenting! Are you still thinking of moving to France, or was it somewhere else in Europe? How are things, other than getting older?
I really want to reframe what we mean by old. There's so much that's good about it!
I went to Lyon for a week in February to check it out. I figured if I liked it during the worst time of the year I would love it the rest of the year. Turns out it is overcast most of the time. I’m now checking out places closer to the Mediterranean!
I’m also headed to Ireland for 10 days in August. I have Irish citizenship, I should go to Ireland at least once!
Ireland sounds fun! I was in Paris for a few days last October — late October, and it was cold and gloomy, but it was still Paris and I loved it. Of course, I'm living in sunny California, so it's easy to love Paris for a few days. Hope you find someplace great, keep me posted!
I am turning 64 this week and am happy to do it. The alternative is always worse at this point. What is hard about aging for me is not the number but the way I have to be more intentional to make friends and do the things I enjoy. People stop skiing and hiking and cooking together and start moving away and getting ill or just preoccupied with their life.
I do have life long friends and see my future as spending more time with them and sharing our aging together as well as meals adventures and humor about life. For me old is when you lose your resilience and capacity for change. I have supported loved ones through the process and hopefully learned more about squaring the circle of my physical capacity, my dreams and my environment. I am looking forward to being untethered from a job and am confident adventures, creative experiences, and laughter are in my future.
That all sounds great, Robin! I've always treasured my friendships, and I have some friends from childhood including from all other stages of my life. I find that as I age, friendships become even more important and more of a priority.
Hi Rosanna, I’m the same age as you, and although I’ve been unlucky with my health these past three years, creatively speaking I feel freer than ever. In fact I’ve never been so productive, have as much fun with my writing. I’m proud of my age! I enjoyed your post; thank you 🙏🤗
Thank you so much, Francesca! I'm so sorry about your health challenges and hope your health improves soon. It's interesting, and inspiring, that you've found this new freedom and fun even despite those challenges!
Thank you for your insightful essay, I Am Not 63 Years Young. Your candid reflection on the societal tendency to diminish the significance of age by using euphemisms like "young" is both thought-provoking and empowering. By asserting the importance of acknowledging one's true age, you challenge the pervasive ageism that often goes unspoken. Your words encourage a shift towards embracing authenticity and self-acceptance, reminding us all that age is not something to be disguised but celebrated.
Thank you for your generous and thoughtful response. I’m so glad I Am Not 63 Years Young spoke to you. It means a great deal to know that the essay resonated as a call for authenticity and a challenge to the subtle ways ageism is embedded in everyday language. Euphemisms like “young” may seem harmless, but as you pointed out, they often reflect deeper discomfort with aging itself. I appreciate your recognition of the importance of embracing our full selves—including our age—with honesty and pride. Thank you for joining me in pushing for a more inclusive and respectful conversation around aging.
(In an exception to my usual rule, this was written with ChatGPT, to match the comment I'm responding to.)