I don't want to fight aging; I want to take good care of myself

"I don't want to fight aging; I want to take good care of myself, but plastic surgery and all that? I'm not interested." These words by Christine Lahti offer a profound meditation on the natural passage of time and our relationship with it. In a society that often prizes youth and beauty above all else, Lahti’s declaration challenges the prevailing wisdom that to age is to decline. Instead, she advocates for a healthy acceptance of the process of aging, emphasizing the importance of taking care of oneself, but without resorting to drastic measures like plastic surgery to fight the inevitable. Her words suggest a shift in perspective—a call to embrace the natural course of life, rather than to wage war against it.

In the wisdom of the ancients, aging was never something to be feared or fought against. The elderly were regarded as the bearers of wisdom, their faces etched with the stories of their lives, their bodies marked by the journey they had undertaken. Socrates, the great philosopher, embraced his aging process with grace, recognizing that true wisdom came not from eternal youth, but from the experiences that accumulated over the years. He understood that as the body ages, so too does the mind, becoming sharper, more insightful, and more attuned to the complexities of life. Aging, then, was seen not as a battle to be won or lost, but as an essential part of the human journey.

Lahti’s refusal to engage in the battle against aging aligns with this ancient view. Rather than seeing aging as an adversary to be defeated, she chooses to accept it with dignity and grace, taking care of her body without resorting to the artificial measures that so many turn to in hopes of retaining their youth. This is not to say that she does not value her appearance or health—on the contrary, she advocates for taking good care of oneself. But she draws a clear line between self-care and the extreme measures of plastic surgery, which often seek to freeze the body in time at the cost of its natural expression.

Consider the life of Leonardo da Vinci, whose works and discoveries transcend time, proving that the essence of a person is not bound by the outward appearance. In his later years, da Vinci’s body, like all bodies, began to age, but his mind remained as vibrant as ever. He continued to produce art and ideas that would change the world. Even as he grew older, he did not seek to preserve his physical youth; instead, he nurtured his intellectual and creative spirit. He embodied the idea that aging is not about clinging to youth, but about embracing the depth of experience and knowledge that grows over time.

Lahti’s words remind us that aging is not a curse, but a privilege—a testament to the lives we have lived and the experiences we have gained. To fight aging is to fight against the natural order, to resist the changes that make us who we are. In our youth-obsessed world, we often view the passage of time as something to be feared, but in reality, it is a gift. Each wrinkle and grey hair tells the story of a life well-lived, of challenges faced and overcome, and of lessons learned along the way. The physical changes that come with age should not be seen as imperfections, but as badges of honor that speak to the resilience of the body and spirit.

The key lesson in Lahti's words is not simply about accepting age, but about embracing it with strength and pride. Aging does not signify the end of beauty or vitality, but rather a transformation—a deepening of who we are, a broadening of our perspectives, and a strengthening of our inner resolve. Instead of fighting against it, we must learn to care for our bodies with love and respect, knowing that true beauty is not in youthful perfection but in the confidence that comes with accepting ourselves at every stage of life.

In practical terms, Lahti’s advice calls us to focus on the things we can control in our aging process—our health, our mindset, and our self-care. We must take care of our bodies through exercise, nutrition, and rest, but also nurture our spirit and mind through continued learning, creativity, and growth. Let us celebrate the wisdom that comes with age, the beauty that lies in experience, and the strength that comes from living a full, authentic life. In this way, we will find that aging is not something to fear, but something to cherish, for it is in the acceptance of our natural selves that we truly flourish.