With age comes maturity, and with maturity the recognition that getting old doesn't necessarily mean an awful lot. As kids, most of us dread aging but as it happens to us it becomes clear that ages that seemed terribly old aren't that awful and in fact can be rewarding in ways that youth might not be.
The best thing about getting older in the first instance is becoming responsible for yourself. It can seem like a huge burden as you become responsible for bills and feeding yourself a balanced diet, but truth be told, it's enormously liberating. Remember all those times as a child that you argued with your parents and said "I can't wait until I'm old enough to leave!" - it finally came true! It shouldn't be daunting, with patience and money and time management the freedom afforded by age is fantastic.
For many people, what comes next is family. It can be one of the most rewarding experiences in the world to become a parent, but right after that the frustrations start. Bringing up children is far more difficult than looking after just yourself, and it is only as time passes and your children mature that things become easier. It's an oft told tale: the best part about having children is having grandchildren! With a grandchild there is a special bond that means you are family but you don't have the worries and concerns that you had being a parent of a little one. If getting older is the price to pay, it's a worthwhile one for a family oriented personality.
Even those who choose not to go down a family route, or who find that they don't find the right partner or can't have children, can find huge rewards in later life. After the stresses and strains of facing peers day after day throughout school we face the job hunt and fight to rise to the top of the candidates. Even once a career path is found there is still a constant struggle to empower oneself in the workplace and to reach work related goals. With age comes familiarity, and a more relaxed attitude to working life, which removes much of the stress that younger colleagues might face. And as you get older, retirement beckons - a time of pleasing yourself and not having to answer to parents or bosses at all.
Many people struggle with money when they start out in life, but as time passes our belongings mount up and we find that instead of buying essentials we're upgrading, or perhaps using disposeable income on things that are more fun - expensive holidays and nice cars are some of the more popular choices, but the financial freedom is liberating and enjoyable even if all your money does is mount up slowly in a savings account.
For me, though, the most valuable thing I'm collecting as I grow older is memories. There are so many good times, and amongst them of course there are bad ones, but it's all a learning experience. I have much to look back upon and muse over simply by virtue of being that bit older than I used to be. Getting older is inevitable, but the biggest secret is: you don't have to act your age. If you do your best to enjoy life and make good decisions along the way then old age itself is its own reward - all that good life lived, all those memories, and a fantastic person right at the centre of it: you!