Mia Elizabeth Newman

Aging is a process unique to the personal development of each individual. Embracing the process is the beginning of a new growth mindset. For me it has been about awareness, acceptance, coping and thriving.

Tasks of aging from a psychological perspective include new coping skills and the development of a different identity and sense of self.

Identity for me now is being the older woman. There will be moments of feeling like a child, an adolescent or a younger woman. Like all of us I carry baggage from the past, memories and feelings which can be triggered. I move through these with compassion for myself and others. I cannot go back. This moment is all I have.

To the best of my understanding I know who I am at 77. In a practical sense I have a left behind a small personal development practice. I have watched family grow into their own stories. Now I express myself with writing and journalling and art. I go to a regular cafe for journalling and interesting discussions. My personal style is simple and uncluttered. I have learnt to play chess. I have a small group of interesting friends who are artists, on a spiritual path, lovers of films and who have a wonderful sense of humour. It is enough and I am enough.

Moving on I want to find a deeper meaning. In Mark Gerzon’s book Coming Into Our Own, I find this quote helpful for where I am now, ‘learning how to live.. goes hand in hand with learning how to age… and how to die’.

‘The real invitation isn’t to seek a life free from struggle, but to trust that even in life’s clouded moments, there is depth and meaning to be found. Not either/ or, but both. Not broken or whole, but everything in between. And in that space- tender, uncertain, yet full of life-there is always room to begin again’ (Madi in magazine Breathe).