At 14, you can get your first job. At 16, you can begin to drive. At 18, you gain independence. At 21, you can legally drink. At 25, you can rent a car.

For the early years of our lives, we learn to celebrate these milestones. Getting older is exciting. I remember telling my mom, “I can’t wait to be 16.” Each birthday, every year, another step towards becoming who we want to be.

Somewhere along the way, that excitement fades.

At 26, you can no longer be on your parents’ health insurance. You begin noticing gray hairs, changes to your body, and other normal signs of aging. For some, these changes become noticeable much sooner. After a certain age, we learn not to ask people their age, and birthdays shift from celebrations to another thing to avoid.

Why is that?

Through my education in public health, my studies in gerontology, and my experience as a certified nursing assistant, I developed a philosophy of wellness. Wellness is not about being perfect or avoiding the aging process. My philosophy focuses on caring for ourselves, appreciating the present, and building a life we enjoy growing into.

Growing old is not something we lose to. It is something we are lucky enough to experience.

The intention of this blog is to create a community where we can reconnect with the best versions of ourselves and redefine what it means to age well. The version of ourselves that does not fear aging, but embraces every stage of life. The version that celebrates every birthday as if it were the first. We were not meant to work or simply ‘survive’ adulthood. We were meant to connect, explore, rest, grow, and find joy in every moment.

What is one thing that you hope to appreciate more as you grow into this life?

Until next time,

Hanna Anmari 🌿