Tag: authenticity

QUOTES

“Everyone is an oldster. We deal with aspects of physical and emotional aging all the time. It’s not just an old person thing.” (Sari)

“We live in an ageist, youth-obsessed culture driven by capitalism. There’s money to be made by making aging a problem that needs to be solved.” (Sari)

“There’s no going back. You’re going to leave some things behind. That anxiety has morphed into curiosity about what other people’s experience is of getting older.” (Sari)

“When we’re not looking at ourselves in a mirror, we have these ideas of who we are that are based on past versions of ourselves.” (Sari)

“The intergenerational conversation happening on Oldster is helping people feel less trepidatious about aging. It certainly has for me.” (Sari)

“People kept telling me, ‘My life took off at 60… 65… 70… 75.’ They found new partners, new careers, stopped caring what other people thought and started taking risks. That really comforted me.” (Sari)

“Whenever we can really exhibit humanity in its truest form, it’s good. It reminds people they’re not alone in their humanity or their messiness.” (Sari)

“I like myself better than I ever have because I’ve become more myself. I’ve stopped trying to be who I think other people want me to be.” (Sari)

“I’m really just shooting my shot, and it’s paying off. As I get older, more confident and more skilled, I’ll shoot even bigger shots.” (Sari)

“I would say to anyone who feels behind in life: You do you. It’s okay not to be on track with everyone else.” (Sari)

“There is so much possibility in getting older. That’s one of the best things I’ve discovered.” (Sari)

“There isn’t just one right path. If you really listen to yourself and be your true self, you’ll find your right path. It might not match other people’s, but it will take you where you belong.” (Sari)

NOTES

Sari Botton is a writer, editor and founder of Oldster, a Substack publication exploring the emotional, cultural and personal realities of aging at every stage of life. A longtime journalist and essayist, she has become a leading voice challenging traditional narratives around growing older through deeply personal storytelling and intergenerational conversation.

Oldster is a reader-supported publication on Substack dedicated to reframing aging as a lifelong experience rather than something that begins in old age. Through essays, interviews and community discussions, it brings together readers of all ages to examine identity, relationships, purpose, grief, reinvention and the many realities of getting older.

Before launching Oldster, Botton served as an editor at Longreads, where she created the “Fine Lines” series that inspired the publication. She also edited the bestselling anthologies Goodbye to All That: Writers on Loving and Leaving New York and Never Can Say Goodbye: Writers on Their Unshakable Love for New York. She is currently working on an Oldster anthology expected in 2027, with plans for a podcast and television series that will continue expanding the conversation around aging.

Botton believes aging doesn’t begin at a specific age. She argues that everyone experiences aging throughout life as they move from one stage to the next, continually leaving behind previous versions of themselves.

She says our culture’s obsession with youth has turned aging into a problem to be solved, often fueled by marketing that profits from people’s fears about getting older.

One of the greatest benefits of the Oldster community has been creating conversations between generations. Hearing older adults share stories about finding new careers, relationships and purpose later in life helped ease her own anxiety about turning 60.

Botton believes one of the most overlooked realities of aging is grief—not only over physical changes, but also over saying goodbye to earlier versions of ourselves, changing relationships and unrealized dreams.

She encourages anyone who feels behind in life to stop comparing themselves to others and recognize there is no universal timeline. Every person’s path unfolds differently, and authenticity matters more than keeping pace with peers.

Rather than presenting an idealized version of aging, Botton believes sharing the messy, imperfect parts of life helps people realize they aren’t alone and creates deeper human connection.

Looking back on her own journey, Botton says growing older has made her more comfortable with herself, more willing to take risks and more interested in pursuing new creative passions. She believes aging brings far more possibility than most people realize.

The following is a recap from Varsity’s Roundtable, a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here. 

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Art has the power to do something facts and statistics often can’t: change the way people see one another. In senior living, where outdated stereotypes about aging still influence everything from marketing to everyday interactions, creativity can become a powerful tool for reshaping perceptions and celebrating the richness of later life. 

That’s exactly the focus of Meg LaPorte and Jordan Evans, co-founders of Art Against Ageism, who joined Varsity’s weekly Roundtable to share how storytelling, public art and interactive experiences are helping challenge ageism and inspire more authentic conversations about aging. Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from their discussion.

AGEISM IS OFTEN INVISIBLE UNTIL YOU LOOK FOR IT

Age bias often appears in subtle ways, from marketing imagery to everyday language. Regularly auditing communications and customer experiences can uncover hidden stereotypes.

PUBLIC ART CAN STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Murals and interactive installations invite engagement, generate conversation and help position senior living as an active part of the local community.

AUTHENTICITY BUILDS TRUST

Showing real residents, real experiences and everyday life creates more credible storytelling and helps families connect before they ever visit.

SMALL EXPERIENCES CAN CHANGE BIG BELIEFS

Interactive activations don’t have to be elaborate. Simple, thoughtful experiences can spark conversations that reshape perceptions of aging.

STORIES BRING PEOPLE TO LIFE

Portraits capture attention, but personal stories create emotional connection and help audiences see people instead of stereotypes.

FIGHTING AGEISM TAKES AN ORGANIZATION-WIDE EFFORT

Marketing matters, but lasting change also comes from staff, partnerships and everyday interactions that celebrate aging with dignity.

Getting older is, as J.J. Hubal puts it, “a very big deal,” and pretending otherwise doesn’t do anyone any favors. What does help? A little honesty, a healthy dose of curiosity and, perhaps most powerfully, a well-timed cartoon. 

Bestselling author, cartoonist and former special education teacher J.J. Hubal joined Varsity’s weekly Roundtable recently to share the ideas behind her book, Goodbye Old, Hello Bold, a work that challenges long-held stereotypes and invites people to embrace aging with confidence and humor. Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from her discussion.

HUMOR OPENS THE DOOR TO HARD CONVERSATIONS

J.J. demonstrated how humor and cartoons can make sensitive topics like aging, loss, health and change feel more approachable. Participants were reminded that laughter can create space for honest reflection and meaningful conversations.

AGING REQUIRES LETTING GO BEFORE MOVING FORWARD

One of J.J.’s central themes was that aging well isn’t about denying reality. It’s about acknowledging what’s changed, letting go of what no longer fits and creating room for new possibilities, experiences and relationships.

COMMUNITY OFTEN OUTWEIGHS CONVENIENCE

Discussions about downsizing, aging in place and senior living reinforced that people aren’t just choosing a place to live. They’re choosing connection, purpose and belonging. For many older adults, the real value of a move is gaining community rather than simply reducing maintenance.

THE BIGGEST AGING DECISIONS START WITH CONVERSATION

Whether discussing downsizing, future living arrangements or changing family dynamics, participants were reminded that proactive conversations are far better than waiting for a crisis. Open communication creates more choices and better outcomes.

AGING ISN’T ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL

Health, finances and relationships affect everyone differently. J.J. encouraged attendees to focus less on aging stereotypes and more on helping people navigate their own unique circumstances with honesty, flexibility and self-awareness.

PEOPLE CONNECT WITH AUTHENTICITY

The strongest themes in J.J.’s work came from real-life experiences, frustrations and observations. Participants were reminded that the most relatable stories, messages and marketing often come from genuine human experiences rather than polished talking points.