Anti-Aging vs. Active Aging: Why I’m Choosing the Second One (and You Should Too)

Let’s get this out of the way: “anti-aging” is one of the dumbest phrases ever invented.
Anti? As in… against aging? Babe, the only alternative to aging is an option none of us are rushing toward. So why the hell are we treating birthdays like criminal offenses?

For decades we’ve been sold this fantasy that if we slather ourselves with enough potion, pull enough skin back and take enough supplements, we might—might—look like we did 30 years ago. Meanwhile, somewhere in a lab, there’s a clock laughing in our faces.

I’m not anti-aging. I’m anti-BS.

What I am is pro-active aging—and that’s a completely different energy.

Active Aging Is for People Who Still Want to Live the Hell Out of Their Lives

Active aging isn’t about pretending to be young.
It’s about being fully awake in the age you’re actually in.

It’s the difference between:

• Anti-aging: “Hide your wrinkles.”

• Active aging: “Use your wisdom lines to get into better conversations.”

• Anti-aging: “Act your age.”

• Active aging: “I’ll act however I damn well please, thanks.”

• Anti-aging: “Stay quiet and graceful.”

• Active aging: “Pass me the karaoke mic and a margarita.”

Active aging is about participation. Engagement. Curiosity. Motion—mental, emotional, physical.
It’s not about chasing youth; it’s about expanding your life.

Anti-Aging Feels Heavy. Active Aging Feels Electric.

Anti-aging is rooted in fear.
Fear of losing value. Fear of being invisible. Fear of change.

Active aging is rooted in momentum.

It says:

• “I’ve got chapters left to write.”

• “I’ve got skills to learn.”

• “I’ve got adventures queued up like a Netflix playlist.”

It’s not denial. It’s direction.

The Real Secret: Active Aging Makes You Look Younger Anyway

Here’s the irony:
People who invest in living look a hell of a lot more vibrant than people who invest in hiding.

Because confidence?
Curiosity?
Laughter?
Movement?
All those things do more for your face than any cream at Sephora.

Joy is the original collagen.

My Take—As Someone Who’s Got Some Mileage on the Tires

Personally? I’m not fighting gravity.
Gravity’s undefeated.
What I am fighting is stagnation.

I want to:

• Try new places

• Meet new humans

• Have new stories

• Go to the bar alone and start a conversation

• Learn things

• Do things

• And laugh so hard someone asks if I’m okay

That’s active aging.
It’s a refusal to shrink.

So Here’s the Challenge

Stop asking, “How do I look younger?”
Start asking, “How do I live bigger?”

It’s not about anti-aging.
It’s about full-throttle aging.

Aging disgracefully.
Aging loudly.
Aging in a way that makes younger people say, “Damn, is that what’s coming? Because that looks fun.”