How Sorelle Amore Taught Me to be Excited About Aging
Sorelle Amore is a gorgeous woman who does Youtube. I’ve followed her for a couple years now, but she’s been on the youtube scene for a while, offering a visual evolution of her spunky twenties to the sexy and confident 31 year old woman she fully embraces and embodies today. An explorer and creative, Sorelle has traveled all over the world, living in Australia and LA before recently buying a home in Iceland.
Her dark hair is pulled back tight, ringlets framing her face as her smile becomes a beacon drawing in the viewer. The passion that fuels her story is the strap that locks us in place, and I absorb her most recent video, ‘How the Fear of Aging Will Make You Invisible.’
“Once you get over a certain age group, your life is lame, so you may as well sit down, shut the f*ck up and do nothing with your life.”
Don’t be ashamed of aging.
The fear of dying is aggressively overshadowed by my fear of growing incapable. I can’t imagine living a life that doesn’t allow me to explore, learn and experience new things. Whether learning to surf like Sorelle or thru hiking after retirement, there are endless growth opportunities that the world has to offer, and aging should not be an inevitable fall from fulfillment.
What an honor to have the opportunity to live.
Life begins at 40. 50. 60.
Recently, my dad and I met up for a morning hike. As the clouds rolled in, we tightened our straps and headed off into the woods. Side stepping moose droppings and inhaling the fresh scent of rain, we settled into a comfortable rhythm.
Our conversation inevitably ebbed towards my life and the curveballs thrown by circumstance. Dad inquired about my plans, and my honesty was met with a stereotypical resistance I hadn’t expected from the man with a non-linear career path.
“Jordan you’re getting closer to 30, and at some point, you’re going to have to make some more responsible decisions.”
I had been flippant with my remark, initiating his response. I’d be losing the benefit of their health insurance this year, and I needed to figure out my financial situation. I explained my need for preparation, but his vehemence for the exploratory and growth driven lifestyle I’d like to hold onto was strange.
I keep thinking that 30 is still so young. Why are we required to “have it together” by this arbitrary number? What does that even look like?
The capability that we possess is only limited by our own thoughts and decisions. By no means is this an excuse to put off building your version of life fulfillment, but these systemic timelines should not be limiting agents.
“Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right.” — Henry Ford
You define the parameters that you live within.
After a few miles, the rain picked up, and we took reprieve under a thick tree, pulling off our packs and taking time for a quick lunch. Dad rested his elbows on his knees, his blue eyes downcast before he looked over at me.
“Jordan I want to apologize,” He sighed.
I stared off onto the trail, feigning misunderstanding, “About what?”
“What I said earlier,” He continued, “Your happiness is all that matters, and if you are able to take care of yourself, the amount of money you make doesn’t matter. There will never be enough time or money.”
Grass tickled my legs, and water dripped from the brim of my hat. I shook my head, absorbing his amended words.
“Being 30 doesn’t mean anything,” He added, “I’ll be 51 this year, and I don’t feel any different from when I was 30. Don’t let me or anyone else keep you from your happiness because in the end, that’s all that really matters.”
Jordan Springer is a writer made by the mountains in the Southeast and falling in love with those around her home in eastern Washington. She writes about navigating life in her twenties with depression and romanticism her two faithful companions.
