12 Best Lessons on Aging from The Golden Bachelor
Everyone has heard of The Bachelor television show that features one bachelor and a cast of beauties trying to win his affections. But this year, ABC is giving us a new twist on this old favorite by offering The Golden Bachelor, a new kind of dating reality show. The Golden Bachelor features Gerry Turner and a cast of lovely ladies who are all hoping to be his chosen one. What makes this show so unique is that it doesn't feature men and women in their 20s and early 30s. Rather, Gerry, the Golden Bachelor, is 72 years old and the women vying for his love are in their 60s and 70s, most of them mothers and grandmothers. This show is surprisingly engaging and has valuable lessons for all of us about aging.
Here Are 12 Lessons The Golden Bachelor Can Teach Us About Getting Older
1. Love Can Come at Any Age
Nobody is ever too old to find love! The Golden Bachelor declares boldly that love can come to anyone at any age. So many messages that society receives from movies, television, and social media tell people that love is only for the young. Post-menopausal women are generally cast as asexual mothers and grandmothers or the "wise woman" in typical shows and movies. Never are these women cast as desirable or worth pursuing in a romantic, much less sexual sense.
The Golden Bachelor changes all of that around. Not only are older women and an older man included, they are embraced and celebrated for their romantic possibilities. The great thing about this is that this show reflects the realities of life. Older people know that love, romance, and dating aren't off limits just because you've reached a particular age. It's nice to see a show that reflects real life in this way.
2. Glamor Isn’t Just for the Young
The women on The Golden Bachelor are not just wonderful women with fabulous personalities. They are attractive as well as glamorous. These gals prove without a doubt that beauty doesn’t have an expiration date. Not a single one of these ladies looks like they are trying to be 25 again, but instead, they are embracing the glamor that comes when you know who you are and where you are going in life.
Sexiness can come in any kind of package at any age. Again, this show is embracing the reality that many of us already know--it's never too late to embrace your sex appeal, attractiveness, and glamor.
3. Second Chances Can Be Beautiful Too
For those who have had amazing relationships and have lost them through death or divorce, it can be tempting to idealize that first love, thinking that nothing will ever measure up to it. Gerry acknowledges that the love he shared with his first wife and high school sweetheart was lovely, but that doesn't mean that there's not someone new who can fill his heart and share his life.
Gerry and his wife were married for 43 years before she passed away, but Gerry realizes that a new relationship with one of these lovely women will have to stand on its own. And it's much the same with the ladies. Many of them have had glorious past relationships, but they all know that to open the door to a new relationship, they must leave the past in the past and avoid comparisons.
4. Your Adult Children and Grandchildren May Be Happy for You to Find a New Love
Gerry has kids and grandkids from his first marriage, and they were enthusiastically on board for him doing this show. While some adult kids might struggle with this concept, with communication and healthy relationships, your kids can come around to seeing that new love for older adults brings tons of benefits for the whole family.
5. Getting Older Doesn't Mean Knitting, Rocking chairs, and Orthopedic Shoes
Aging looks different now than it did in past generations. People in their 60s and 70s are living fuller lives than ever before. Gerry plays pickleball and rides ATVs. Hobbies of the gals include volleyball, diving, and dancing. Whatever they are into, it's certain that it focuses on having fun. Getting older doesn't necessarily mean that you have to slow down and these people prove it! They are active, fun, and engaged in life.
6. Maturity Makes Things Go Much More Smoothly
One hallmark of the classic Bachelor television show is the drama that the cast of young women bring to the set. They can sometimes be spiteful, and the show plays up those conflicts to emphasize the drama. But there is relatively little of that on the set of The Golden Bachelor. These women are mature enough to be comfortable with their own attractiveness and that of the other gals on the show. This means that they seem to get along well and don't display the desperate cattiness that some of the younger Bachelor women bring to the show.
7. Friendship is the Best Basis for a Mature Relationship
While the original Bachelor focuses on glamor, romance, wining and dining, The Golden Bachelor focuses on setting the foundations for a great future relationship. With the wisdom of age comes an understanding of what makes a good basis for a fabulous romantic relationship--friendship!
8. Family Matters
It is clear in The Golden Bachelor that family is important for all the contestants, Gerry included. In fact, for many of the participants, it is one of their highest priorities, and they're pretty much unapologetic about this fact. Two of the ladies left during the show to attend to family emergencies. When developing relationships in your senior years, it's clear that it's not just about you and your romantic interests. Family will be deeply involved in this decision, and that is okay.
9. Confidence Is Sexier Than Ever
The common thread that binds all of the female contestants together is confidence. They are old enough to know who they are and what is important in their lives. They are not bashful about declaring that they just want someone to spend time with and enjoy the rest of their lives together. If that person happens to be Gerry, they'll be happy; if Gerry isn't a good fit, they will be just fine. That level of confidence is incredibly appealing and makes them all so very sexy.
10. Taking Care of Yourself Is Important
While the women in The Golden Bachelor come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, one thing is clearly evident--all of these women take good care of themselves. Gerry is a shining example of this as well. For many of the people on this show, taking care of themselves isn't just about looking good in a bathing suit or fitting into a single-digit-sized pair of pants. Rather, self-care enables them to participate in activities that they love and have lives that are full, joyful, and interesting. Taking care of yourself is an important part of living a well-rounded life.
11. Step Out and Take Risks
Change can be scary at any age, but to have a new love, you're going to have to take the chance of being hurt. Of course, you can stay at home and be safe, but then you might miss out on the joy of a new love. Being adventurous requires a certain level of risk, but the payoffs will be huge!
12. Your Past Is a Part of Your Present
If you have had great relationships in the past, it may be tempting to keep quiet about those. You don't want to be weird or embarrass the new person by talking about the past. But you can't forget that those relationships are a part of who you are and what you've become. Sharing appropriately about grief and a love that has shaped you is an important part of intimacy. In fact, Gerry and several of the ladies have had deep conversations about their past loves and the grief that comes when those relationships are lost. These conversations have only brought them closer.
More Tips for Aging
It's so exciting to see this new version of the classic show. Including a demographic of people who are typically left out of the romance and dating world is a breath of fresh air. Feel your best as you age with Mighty Health! Our personalized health coaches help you stay mobile, healthy, and ready to take on the best years of your life. Get started today!
