Someone recently shared this New York Times article with me, and though it centers on menopause, its reflections go far beyond hormone shifts. It’s really about aging, identity, and the quiet power of not caring so much about what doesn’t matter anymore. And that’s something many people—regardless of gender—can relate to.
The author, reflecting on being rejected from adopting a puppy for being “too old,” uses this moment to explore what aging has taught her: how to value time more fiercely, how to release unnecessary obligations, and how to stop apologizing for saying no. It’s not about giving up. It’s about choosing what truly matters.
She describes the liberation of no longer needing to impress strangers, the beauty of knowing and being known in a long-term relationship, and the quiet joy of early mornings when insomnia leads her to nature’s sunrise performance. Her reflections—often humorous, often poignant—are a reminder that with age can come clarity, confidence, and deeper presence.
At Clarity Counseling Seattle, we work with clients navigating all kinds of transitions. Whether you’re facing menopause, questioning your identity, or simply feeling the weight of aging in a youth-obsessed culture, therapy can help create space for self-redefinition. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is name what we’re letting go of—and what we’re choosing to honor in its place.
If you’re ready to stop saying yes to things that drain you, and start saying yes to what nourishes you instead, individual therapy might be a helpful place to begin.
You may also appreciate these related reflections:
Aging doesn’t always bring ease. But it can bring freedom. And that, in its own way, is a kind of beauty worth celebrating.