Why So Surprised?

Another day, another ageist article—this one discussing how people feel surprised about growing older. In truth, it’s not the observation that feels ageist to me. It’s the way it’s written—and, frankly, the exclamation points(!)  

The author uses this assertive little punctuation mark to suggest one should be shocked about being “in the category old!”—and that she herself, at 78, can “sometimes feel irresistible!”

There’s a joke about not having wanted to look middle-aged, but “now it’s an aspiration!” And the whole thing ends with, “You’re old!”

What if all these things were simply normal?

No exclamation required.

Photo by Alena Darmel on Pexels