Oatmeal and Aging: Transforming Narratives on Growing Older

Do you have fond memories of oatmeal from your childhood? Maybe you remember adding brown sugar and feeling comforted by its warmth on a cold morning. Or perhaps you've started eating oatmeal every day for heart health, believing it will lower your cholesterol based on your doctor's advice and food industry messaging. Maybe you avoid it altogether, thinking it's the worst way to start your day. Personally, I can take it or leave it. Whether you love it, hate it, or feel indifferent, oatmeal is just oatmeal.

Keep reading to get your mini-freebie Writing Prompts about Aging.

The Lesson of Oatmeal

Renowned Buddhist nun Pema Chodron uses oatmeal to illustrate the concept of absolute and relative truth. “Oatmeal is a preparation of oats that have been de-husked, steamed, and flattened, or a coarse flour of hulled oat grains (groats) that have either been milled (ground), rolled, or steel-cut,” according to Wikipedia. As human meaning-making machines, we attach strong feelings and stories to “oatmeal.” We label it as “good” or “bad,” comforting or revolting. Some of us even call it by other names like porrige or hot cereal. These labels stem from our personal experiences and societal influences. Nothing changes about the oatmeal itself.

Aging is Just Aging

Just as oatmeal is just oatmeal, aging is simply the process of becoming older. According to Merriam-Webster, aging means being of advanced years, especially past middle age. Just like oatmeal, we may call it by other names (and who can even agree what “middle age” is). Many of us tell ourselves stories about aging. We lament our changing appearance and the decline in our physical abilities. We anticipate feeling irrelevant or invisible. Or we cherish the fact that we are still alive and value each day. We believe other people will see us as wise and experienced.

Media Influences

The media heavily influences how we view aging by frequently idolizing youth, beauty, and physical vitality, often portraying aging as a decline. Advertisements emphasize the fear of aging, promoting products that promise to reverse or hide its signs. Older adults are sometimes depicted as out-of-touch or frail, reinforcing negative stereotypes and contributing to a sense of invisibility. Mixed messages from the media shape societal attitudes, influencing how we perceive aging and treat older adults."

Personal Influences

Our experiences with parents and grandparents also profoundly impact our views on aging. Positive role models can inspire a healthy perspective while witnessing health challenges, financial struggles, or social isolation can create fear and anxiety about our own aging.

Reflecting on Your Story

Take a moment to consider the stories you tell yourself about aging. Where do these beliefs originate? Reflect on your experiences with aging relatives. Think about what messages you are getting from your daily consumption of media. Consider how you label “aging.” By examining these influences, we can start to reshape our perspectives and approach aging with a more balanced and accepting mindset.

Comment below about how your belief around “aging” (or oatmeal) is shifting.

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