Refusing to Fade: Staying Vibrant as We Age

As I recover from spinal fusion surgery, people often tell me how amazing it is to see me walking and moving again. And in many ways, it is amazing.

But what most don’t see are the moments in physical therapy that humble me. The exercises I thought would be simple often remind me how much strength I still need to rebuild. I’m not back to where I was, and honestly, I don’t want to just get back — I want to go further.

It’s not just the PT sessions that humble me, though. It’s the pacing, the resting, the constant need for recovery that others rarely see. It’s the daily effort of putting in the work, watching progress unfold so slowly, and still choosing to stay patient and optimistic through it all.

The Comparison Trap

Here’s the hard part: the world around me isn’t slowing down. Women my age — and even older — are playing pickleball three times a week, taking strenuous bike trips, and hiking steep trails.

I find myself wondering: could I do that? Should I even try?

The truth is, it’s daunting. With my history of surgeries and physical limitations, the fear of getting hurt, of not keeping up, of being left out — it’s very real.

And yet, the pull to stay vibrant is stronger than the temptation to fade quietly into the background.

Where It Shows Up Most

That reality came into sharp focus last weekend when my son’s family visited with our two young granddaughters. We needed his help to bring down all the baby and toddler equipment from the garage attic. It meant climbing a big ladder and lifting heavy items — definitely a two-person job.

And I couldn’t do it the way I once did. I also couldn’t hold the girls for as long as I used to.

Moments like that are humbling. They remind me that I don’t yet have the stamina or energy I had before surgery. But they also remind me why I keep working at it.

Building Stamina, Directing Energy

I’ve realized this isn’t just about choosing strength on my own terms. It’s about steadily building stamina and learning to use my energy in a way that serves me and the goals I care about.

Right now, that’s showing up in two big areas of my life:

• Physically: through physical therapy, longer walks, deeper breathing, and more mobility. Each small step lays the groundwork for a stronger body.

• Professionally: as I build my new career, it sometimes feels like I’ve gone back to graduate school — except this time I’m in my 60s. The learning curve is steep, the challenges are constant, and it takes an incredible amount of energy, grit, and focus to keep showing up. Some days, it even feels like another form of physical therapy — consistent hard work, pushing through discomfort, practicing new skills until they become second nature.

Both journeys remind me that stamina doesn’t just happen — it’s cultivated. And the way I direct my energy today will shape the life I’m creating for tomorrow.

Why It Matters

Staying vibrant as we age isn’t about chasing youth or proving something. It’s about refusing to shrink into the sidelines of our own lives.

I may have limits, but I also have choices. Every time I choose to move, to rebuild, to redirect my energy toward what matters — I’m choosing vibrancy over complacency.

My Commitment

I don’t want to just recover. I want to come out of this with more stamina, more energy, and more strength than I had before.

Not compared to anyone else.

Just stronger than my own yesterday — and closer to the life I want to keep living.

✨ Reflection for You: Where do you most want to direct your energy right now? Take a quiet moment to think about it — and if you’d like, share it with me by email or DM. I’d love to hear.