Take It Out

Have you ever heard someone described as “completely with it”—as if that wouldn’t be assumed, and it needed to be mentioned? I certainly have—but only when the person in question is older.

Recently I heard someone describe their mother that way, along with the phrases, “very intelligent,” “curious,” and “she’s 90.”

Mentioning age was appropriate, because the conversation was specifically about talking with older women. But “completely with it” seemed like an unfortunate reminder that we preemptively assume older adults aren’t fully there.

In a world without ageism, I think phrases like that would be left out.

Photo by Kevin Malik on Pexels