By Radley West
Dear Younger Me,
I’m 75 now, and I wanted to thank you.
Thank you for taking those walks when you didn’t feel like it. I still enjoy evening strolls, and I don’t take a single one for granted.
Thank you for lifting weights. You thought you were building muscle, but what you were really building was the ability to carry groceries, climb stairs, and get off the floor without making that funny noise everyone starts making around 50.
Thank you for choosing water more often than soda, vegetables more often than fries, and sleep more often than “just one more episode.”
Those little decisions added up.
Thank you for stretching. I know it wasn’t your favorite part of the workout. Mine either. But trust me, it paid off.
Thank you for taking care of aches and pains before they became bigger problems. You didn’t ignore your body when it whispered, so it never had to scream.
Thank you for spending less time worrying about how you looked and more time appreciating what your body could do. It turns out confidence ages much better than vanity.
Most of all, thank you for understanding that health isn’t about trying to look 25 forever.
It’s about being able to enjoy 75.
Playing with grandkids.
Traveling without worrying about keeping up.
Gardening.
Walking the dog.
Laughing with friends.
Living independently.
You never needed perfection. You just needed consistency.
So if you’re reading this and you’re not 75 yet, here’s the good news:
Your future self is watching.
Every walk, every workout, every healthy meal, every good night’s sleep- it’s all a gift you’re sending forward in time.
And speaking on behalf of your older self…
Thank you.
You’ll be glad you did.
Radley West is married to Dr. Andrew West, and together they own 33/18 Chiropractic & Wellness in Irmo. As a former gym owner for more than 18 years, West enjoys helping people achieve non-traditional health goals. She and Andrew teach clients that while a gym is not necessary, fitness and chiropractic care are part of a healthy lifestyle. Though she’s a competitive athlete, she’s the first to say that fitness should be fun, and she never takes herself too seriously. Her and Andrew’s passion lies in empowering clients to lead healthier, more active lives, whether that means easily climbing stairs or improving posture. You can also check out West’s front door wreath and decor company, Worth the Knock. She can be found on all social platforms and Etsy @worththeknock.
