Thoughts on Turning 53

Today, I turned 53.

Since passing 50, I have become keenly aware of the changes in my body.

First, presbyopia. I find it hard to see text on my smartphone and have to hold it a bit further away to read. Perhaps it is menopause, but sometimes I suddenly break out in a sweat. When I wake up in the morning, my joints ache, or I feel down for no reason, or conversely, I feel strangely irritable.

The minor ailments I never even thought about when I was young have gradually increased.

Until then, I thought, "I'm healthy, so I'm fine." A little fatigue would go away with sleep, and I almost never went to the hospital.

But since I turned 50, I have started getting regular annual health checkups.

I had never experienced a gastric endoscopy or a colonoscopy before. Honestly, I was scared and thought it was a hassle. But when I actually had them done, I was able to learn about the state of my body that I hadn't noticed myself.

Changes in the body seen through numbers. Ailments that appear little by little with age. And illnesses that were progressing with almost no subjective symptoms.

In fact, a major illness was discovered during my health checkup. And I ended up having surgery.

Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I hadn't had those tests back then.

My spirit is still young.

There are many things I want to do, and I am interested in new things. Being a fan of someone is fun, and I love chatting with friends. There are still many places I want to go and many things I want to eat.

But, nomatter how young I feel, my body is definitely getting older.

Admitting that is a little lonely, but I don't think it's only sad.

Because I have become able to notice the changes in my body, I have come to think about taking care of myself.

Don't push yourself too hard.
Rest properly.
Don't endure discomfort.
And,get regular checkups.

I feel like I am facing my body more than before.

Now that I am 53, what I wish for is not just "to live a long life."

To extend my healthy life expectancy as much as possible.

To be able to walk energetically, eat delicious food, meet the people I like, and laugh.
And to continue to experience many things that excite my heart.

As we age, we tend to focus on what we lose, but on the other hand, there are things we gain.

The wisdom not to push yourself.
The sense of valuing yourself.
And the feeling of "let's enjoy the present."

53 years old.

I'm not young, but I'm still just getting started.

While listening to the voice of my body, I want to live in my own way, happily, and with a smile.

That is themorning of my birthday.