You probably relate the term "Growth Spurt" with a pre-teen.
One day they're 5-foot-zero and the next they're closing in on the 6-foot mark. When a kid experiences a growth spurt, they're hungry all the time and is cranky as hell.
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Can Women Over 60 Have Growth Spurts?
If we're lucky, YES.
Growth Spurt: Where quick growth is experienced in a short time.
Medical professionals recommend that parents:
- Provide frequent, quality nourishment,
- Pay attention to the kid's overall health, and
- Be patient and loving.
Growth comes in all forms, not just physical.
Wouldn't you think that a similar kind of "spurt" can happen when your inner SELF goes through a big change, not just the physical SELF?
These inner-SELF growth spurts, or personal transitions are a fact of life, whether that's what you call it or not.
- We move out of our parents' home to living on our own.
- We are promoted.
- We get married.
- We get divorced.
- We retire.
You get it. Your SELF evolves and that evolution - growth spurt is usually triggered by a life event.
Post-Career Growth Spurt
If you've been following me for a while, you know I'm pretty vocal about the "life-event trigger" of retirement. The evolution of your SELF from professional woman to retired woman is a growth spurt loaded with challenges; most of which are unexpected.
I won't rehash that here. But, suffice it to say that I've spent more than a minute exploring this growth spurt and the challenges it presents.
That's why, for the past couple of weeks, as my 65th birthday approached, I've been a little anxious. I've felt slightly unsettled, uneasy and it confused me.
65 is a loaded number in our culture.
Especially for women.
I've never been one to dwell on age, the number. I don't FEEL any different than I did 20 years ago, 30 years ago; other than the occasional ache or pain.
But, turning 65, with all the Medicare solicitations, Part A, Part B, Supplemental -vs- Advantage programs... the fact that the number 65 was approaching was front and center.
Still, I don't have any conscious thoughts or fear about turning 65; no dread; no worry. Just the opposite, in fact. I'm so excited to be eligible for Medicare and can finally afford healthcare coverage again!
I'm the same person in my head, but, for the past few weeks I've felt an uneasiness, a sense of restlessness that's hard to describe.
And then, I think I figured it out.
As much as I say "65 isn't old, at a deeper level, the culture and environment has conditioned me (us) to believe otherwise.
As much as I consciously believe that my age doesn't define me, there's a part of me that has "learned" that the world doesn't necessarily agree.
I believe this uneasiness, anxiety, restlessness was that inner conflict. It was my conscious belief coming up against that learned belief at the subconscious level.
Why is this awareness important?
Because, feeling that anxiety in any given situation could impact whatever I chose to do next.
What to wear
Whether to book that trip
Where to go
Who to love
Think about it.
Being aware of this conflict is liberating, freeing. Being aware doesn't eliminate the inner conflict. It's difficult to totally erase 65 years of conditioning. There will still be moments for sure.
But the moments should be less frequent, less intense, and less confusing. AND, you will be giving yourself more space between that feeling of conflict and your response.
It reminds me of this quote attributed to Victor Frankl:
Yesterday, I turned 65-years old.
I feel that I've had a personal growth spurt.
And I know there will still be moments when I don't handle the inner conflict well. That's ok, too.
Just like that kid, I'm going to support the growth and give myself plenty of:
- Nourishment,
- Attention on my overall health
- Patience and loving kindness.
I encourage you to do the same. What conflicting beliefs might you have that keep you from growth spurts?
Check in with yourself the next time you have that uneasy feeling, and let me know. It can help to talk about it with someone who understands.
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