Blog #46: Myths to Unlearn #3--Act Your Age

How many of you are already rolling your eyes?

This is the classic finger-wagging phrase designed to shame us into conformity. “Act your age” is code for: “Stay in your lane.” “Tone it down.” “Don’t make us uncomfortable.” But who decides what’s “age-appropriate,” anyway? Hint: it’s usually someone who hasn’t lived as much life as you have. This myth isn’t just annoying; it crushes creativity and smothers individuality.

The truth is that age isn’t a behavior. It’s just a number. You don’t owe anyone a performance that aligns with anyone’s narrow expectations of what someone your age—or any age—“should” be doing. Whether you want to dye your hair purple, dance at a music festival, or take up skateboarding, the only person who gets to define how you act is you.

The Reality Check:

Individuality Doesn’t Expire. You’ve spent decades becoming the amazing, complex person you are today. Why dim that light because someone thinks you should shrink into a corner and keep quiet?

Authenticity is Ageless. Being true to yourself doesn’t come with an expiration date. In fact, the older you get, the less time there is to be pretending to be anything but unapologetically you. Being true to who you are evolves as you age, because you grow.

“Age-appropriate” is a Moving Target. What’s considered appropriate changes with time. Fifty years ago, wearing jeans after 30 was scandalous. Now, no one bats an eye. Fashions are fleeting, but your self-expression is timeless.

Reframing the Narrative:

Instead of “Act your age,” let’s flip the mantra to: “Act your essence.” The best version of yourself is the one that aligns with your passions, quirks, and desires—regardless of your birth year. Age shouldn’t dictate how you live; your joy and authenticity should be the guide.

Consider Iris Apfel, who redefined fashion and self-expression in her 80s and was renowned as a fashion icon until she passed at 102. She didn’t just act her age; she acted her fabulous self—and the world had to stop and notice.

Reflective Prompts:

1.       When was the last time you felt truly yourself, doing something that lit you up inside? What’s stopping you from doing it again?

Iris Apfel at 100

2.       What’s one way you’ve been holding back because you think, “People my age don’t do that”?

Actionable Shift:

Do One Bold Thing. Pick something you’ve wanted to try but felt self-conscious about because of your age. Go do it this week.

Write Your Rules. Create a list of “rules for being me.” Write down what you love, what lights you up, and what makes you feel alive. Use it as a reminder to live by your essence, not someone else’s expectations.

Since I was young, one of my mottos was “mediocrity is a crime.” You can imagine how “act your age” grates against my soul, far worse than fingernails down a blackboard. Do you have a similar motto or reaction? Share how you’ll flip that age-old trope at WonderCrone.com