There’s a popular invitation in some circles to grow old disgracefully.
A kind of rallying cry to rebel, to misbehave, to throw off restraint in the name of freedom and fun.
I understand why it appeals.
For many, it’s a counter to ageism, a refusal to fade quietly.
But it isn’t my path.
At this stage of life, I’m not looking to shock or perform.
I’m not seeking mischief or reinvention through wildness.
What matters now feels quieter and more deeply rooted.
I’m interested in living truthfully, not loudly.
In growing older with intention, steadiness, and a gentler sense of rebellion, the kind that comes from choosing my own pace, my own boundaries, and my own way of being.
For me, ageing isn’t an excuse to behave badly.
It’s an opening into clarity.
I want spaciousness, not drama.
Meaning rather than attention.
Good conversations instead of bravado.
Time in the wood, not a dare to “break the rules.”
There’s a courage in this kind of ageing too.
A quieter one.
It’s the courage to let go of roles.
To stop performing for others.
To say no without guilt.
To live in alignment with who you’ve become, not who you’re expected to be.
If others find delight in the “disgraceful” path, that’s theirs to enjoy.
But I’m choosing something different, a way of living that feels honest to where I am now.
Not rebellious, but real.
Not louder, but deeper.
Not disgraceful, but grounded.
This is the rhythm that suits me.
And I’m content to walk it.
