Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of resisting unwanted labels, such as "old" or "ma'am," and embracing a youthful mindset, inspired by Queen Elizabeth II's rejection of the "Oldie of the Year" award.

Abstract

The author of the article expresses a personal aversion to being addressed with terms that imply old age, such as "ma'am," feeling that such labels do not reflect her self-perception. Drawing inspiration from Queen Elizabeth II, who declined the "Oldie of the Year" award at age 95, the author advocates for the power of self-definition and the choice to reject labels that do not align with one's identity. The article encourages readers to shed negative labels like "irrelevant," "oppressed," or "victim," and instead adopt empowering self-identifiers such as "overcomer," "winner," or "grateful." It suggests that maintaining a young-at-heart attitude can lead to a longer, stronger, and happier life.

Opinions

The author believes that labels such as "ma'am" or "old" are respectful but should be reserved for individuals who are older than one feels.
Queen Elizabeth II is admired for her refusal to accept the "Oldie of the Year" award, demonstrating that one is as old as they feel.
The article posits that people often assign labels based on their own perceptions rather than the reality of the individual.
It is important to reject labels that do not resonate with one's self-image and to choose positive identifiers that reflect one's true self.
The author is inspired by Queen Elizabeth II's youthful mindset and chooses to resist labels that imply aging, aiming to feel more youthful than their chronological age suggests

You Can Resist Labels You Don’t Like and Live Young at Heart

Choose what you want others to think about you

I’m too young at heart for people to greet me with a four-letter word.

I told a friend, “I don’t like it when I’m called ‘ma’am.’” She suggested I get used to it. According to her, we’re old.

I understand ma’am is a word of respect and honor. But in my mind, it’s reserved for women much older than I feel. If people choose to call themselves old, I won’t argue with them. But I cringe when they use the word old or ma’am on me.

Watch your mouth! Who are you calling an oldie?

I have something in common with the Queen of England. Neither of us accepts every tag, title, or opinion others think we deserve. At age 95, the word “oldie” likely falls into that category for Queen Elizabeth.

To celebrate and honor her leadership during the pandemic, The Oldie magazine wanted to give her the Oldie of the Year award. Queen Elizabeth pushed back. In the most loving, polite, queenly manner, she responded through her Assistant Private Secretary in a letter:

“Her Majesty believes you are as old as you feel, as such the Queen does not believe she meets the relevant criteria to be able to accept, and hopes you will find a more worthy recipient.”

In other words, who are you calling an oldie?

If you aren’t careful, you’ll wear labels that don’t belong to you. People assign them based on how they think you should be, not because of how you are.

Those labels are honorable only if you receive them as such. Despite my age, when someone refers to me as old, it’s not a compliment. When I hear, “You look good for your age,” I say, “Thank you, but this is how my age looks.”

I give no one permission to make me feel, think, or act old. Queen Elizabeth intensified the determination inside me.

Young at heart isn’t reserved for royalty

Unless tags and labels make you feel good, don’t wear them

People apply many labels and tags based on their limiting beliefs — not yours. Well, not yours until you accept them.

What tags do you wear that you should immediately shred? The trendy ones include:

Irrelevant

Oppressed

Victim

Racist

Lazy

Feeling young at heart isn’t reserved for royalty. Anyone can make that choice. After all, people believe about you what you believe about yourself.

If you don’t want ownership of the labels attached to you, destroy them and embrace the true you. Make a quality choice of what you want others to think of you. Here are a few tags to consider:

Empowered

Overcomer

Winner

Brilliant

Grateful

I find it refreshing that a 95-year-young woman chooses to celebrate her youthfulness. She leaves the oldie attitude to those who choose to endure aging. I wonder if Her Majesty would accept a You Go Girl! award.

Thank you for feeling young at heart, Queen Elizabeth. It inspires me to continue resisting the word ma’am and feeling more youthful than my chronological age.

When we change attitudes about aging, more people will live longer, stronger, and happier.