Birthday Scaries
Each Sunday marks another week in the books. Today, Dora talks about the fears that come with passing time, and how she's reframing a milestone birthday.
Try 14 days freeBetter mental health starts with Headspace. Unrivaled expertise to make life feel a little easier, using guided meditations, mindfulness tips, focus tools, sleep support, and dedicated programs.
Hey, it's Dora. Before we start this episode which addresses aging, I wanna mention that this was recorded before I turned 30, and I'm happy to say, I survived, and it's even pretty nice to be 30. So something to keep in mind while listening. Now let's start the show. (gentle music) Headspace Studios. (tranquil music) Hello, hello, and welcome back to "Sunday Scaries." So pretty soon something wonderful yet equally terrifying is going to happen to me. I will be turning 30. I know, I know, I may seem a bit dramatic, but I can't help it. For months this has been turning into a big deal for me, and I kind of just have to accept that this is how I'm processing it by being dramatic. Each Sunday marks the week that I'm getting closer and closer to the big day. When I sit with how I'm feeling about turning 30 a lot of different emotions come up, fear of getting older, the uncertainty of what life can bring, and the fear of the unknown. At times, if I'm being honest, I also experience disappointment, not so much being disappointed about aging, but mostly disappointed in myself for being so scared of aging. I know that this fear is normal, and I know that this happens to everyone, and it's a part of life, but as of late I've been having a difficult time accepting it and leaning into it. The other thing I've noticed is that I feel totally confused about how growing older works in the sense of setting ourselves up for success. Like do I have enough retirement set aside? Am I really going to be working for the next three or four decades? Is this it? Is this what life is about? In realizing how worried and anxious I am, I couldn't help but compare myself to an actual older person, my mom. When I interact with her she doesn't have a sense of dread. She's happy and she's healthy. She's not living in fear like I currently am. And same with my dad. Ever since I could remember he's always told me that age is a state of mind. You're only as old as you feel. So this had me thinking, why am I afraid? My earliest memory dates back to when I was eight and had experienced my first loss. My aunt who was always hip, happy, and healthy suddenly passed away. I remember vividly being so confused about where does she go now? What's next and when will this happen to me? I think those feelings of uncertainty and unknown have stuck with me ever since. Aging is a reminder of the impermanence of life, and mortality, and I know your mortality is never very fun to think about because no matter what age you are, getting older, the weeks passing by, this change is scary, yet inevitable. But honestly, if there's one thing I've learned in this lifetime, it's that...
Details
About your teachers
- More about Andy
A former Buddhist monk, Andy has guided people in meditation and mindfulness for 20 years. In his mission to make these practices accessible to all, he co-created the Headspace app in 2010.
- More about Eve
Eve is a mindfulness teacher, overseeing Headspace’s meditation curriculum. She is passionate about sharing meditation to help others feel less stressed and experience more compassion in their lives.
- More about Dora
As a meditation teacher, Dora encourages others to live, breathe, and be with the fullness of their experiences. She loves meditation’s power to create community and bring clarity to people’s minds.
- More about Kessonga
Kessonga has been an acupuncturists, therapist, and meditation teacher, working to bring mindfulness to the diverse populations of the world.
- More about Rosie
Rosie Acosta has studied yoga and mindfulness for more than 20 years and taught for over a decade. Rosie’s mission is to help others overcome adversity and experience radical love.
Look after your mind
Proven guided meditations and programs to help you stress less, sleep more soundly, and better navigate life’s challenges
Science-backed
Studies show that using Headspace for 30 days can reduce stress, increase resilience, and improve overall well-being
Explore 1000+ expert-led exercises
Access our library of meditations, breathing exercises, and guidance videos for stress, sleep, focus, everyday anxiety , parenting, and more.
Member reviews
Hear from some of our members
Your app brings so much peace and tolerance to our home.
Rachel
UK
Changing my thoughts has allowed me to change my life.
Davide
London
The stress and loneliness courses … taught me how to comfort myself.
Alicia
Canada
Headspace provides me with … a connection to myself, and a disconnection from negative thoughts, feelings, and sensations.
Keri
UK
Related to 'Birthday'
- © 2024 Headspace Inc.
- Terms & conditions
- Privacy policy
- Consumer Health Data
- Your privacy choices
- CA Privacy Notice