Quotes to Make You Feel Better About Getting Older

Updated: Feb. 19, 2021

They say with age comes wisdom, kindness, confidence, and ease. Allow these inspiring quotes to keep you focused on the silver lining of your golden years.

American writer Madeleine L'Engle.
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It all adds up

“The great thing about getting older is that you don’t lose all the other ages you’ve been.”โ€”Madeleine L’Engle, American writer

That’s right: Every year of our lives brings us to who we are now.

Find out about theseย healthy-aging secrets to extend your life.

Comedian George Burns.
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You own your mindset

“You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.”โ€”George Burns, American comedian, actor, and musician

It’s up to you!

These easy habits may help you live longer.

Tennis player Anna Kournikova.
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Let your skin get tough

“Why are people afraid of getting older? You feel wiser. You feel more mature. You feel like you know yourself better. You would trade that for softer skin? Not me!”โ€”Anna Kournikova, professional tennis player

Wisdom, maturity, and self-awareness are powerful qualities. Here’s why knowing your purpose in life can help you live longer.

Singer Tom Petty.
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The hard truth

“If you’re not getting older, you’re dead.”โ€”Tom Petty, American singer

You have only two choices you have when it comes to aging: Keep adding birthday candles or hitch a ride to the afterlife. As this influential singer notes, the former is preferable.

Singer Mike Love.
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The good news

“The great thing about getting older is that you get a chance to tell the people in your life who matter what they mean to you.”โ€”Mike Love, American singer

No, it’s not that you get “softer” with age but that your heart expands to fit even more beauty and love.

Comedian Julian Clary.
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Time to relax

“The good thing about getting older is that, as you become less attractive, you have less desire to go out and conquer everyone you see.”โ€”Julian Clary, comedian

There’s a lot to be said for doing less conquering.

Actress Cherie Lunghi.
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Acceptance is key

“I can honestly say I love getting older. Then again, I never put my glasses on before looking in the mirror.”โ€”Cherie Lunghi, actress

Maintaining a sense of humor as you get older is a secret to feeling younger. Find outย how to enhance yours.

Guitarist Neal Schon.
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The best part

“I’m just getting older and better.”โ€”Neal Schon, guitarist

Two words that go hand-in-hand and are synonymous: older and better.

Writer John Byrne.
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Just keep going

“Getting older is fine. There is nothing you can do to stop it, so you might as well stay on the bus.”โ€”John Byrne, writer

When it doubt, hitch a ride that will take you to places that are waiting for you!

Writer Dawn French.
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Let it go

“Why would I worry about getting olderโ€”what’s to moan about?”โ€”Dawn French, writer

When you look around at everything you’ve created and experienced and collected in your life, we bet you can count more gratitude than complaints.

Actress Olivia Munn.
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Take it all in

“I think women should start to embrace their age. What’s the alternative to getting older? You die. I can’t change the day I was born. But I can take care of my skin, my body, my mind, and try to live my life and be happy.”โ€”Olivia Munn, actress

More than anything you learn with every passing year is the vast importance of choosing happiness over nearly everything else. Find out the eating habitsย that add years to your life.

Actress Jane Fonda.
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Feel the bliss

“As I started getting older, I realized, ‘I’m so happy!’ I didn’t expect this! I wasn’t happy when I was young.”โ€”Jane Fonda, actress

And hey, if Fonda found her groove, can’t we all?

Actress Lena Headey.
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Enjoy the ride

“Getting older and having kids, you learn how to become less serious about it all.”โ€”Lena Headey, actress

It’s not that the serious stuff doesn’t matter. It’s that taking time for the giggles becomes that much more important.

Actress Frances Mcdormand.
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More beauty shows

“That’s another great thing about getting older. Your life is written on your face.”โ€”Frances McDormand, actress

Go ahead: Show off those laugh lines that helped you fall in love, the wrinkles that created your brilliance, and everything in between.

Actress Brittany Snow.
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Let yourself shine

“I wish I was 100 percent confident in my own skin. It’s always a process, but getting older, I’ve become more confident.”โ€”Brittany Snow, actress

With those added years, your sense of self soars, allowing you to be fully and truly yourself. And with that, a mantra is born.

Actress Evangeline Lilly.
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The best is yet to come

“I love getting older! I really believe that a woman doesn’t reach her peak until her 40s.”โ€”Evangeline Lilly, actress

And dare we say, it just keeps getting better with each and every decade!ย You might be surprised by these ages when you’re best at everything.

Socialite Lee Radziwill.
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Learn as you go

“I have a great curiosity to see new things but not to own them. It’s very peaceful this way and one of the nice things about getting older.”โ€”Lee Radziwill, socialite

When you have the time once the kids are grown, the job is done, why not spend time picking up a new hobby, solely for the sake of enjoying the process?

Actor Crispin Glover.
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It all works out

“I like getting older. When you’re in your 20s you’re really forging for your future. Things take shape later on.”โ€”Crispin Glover, actor

If you give anything time, it all makes sense in the end.

Ausonius, poet.
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Savor it all

“Let us never know what old age is. Let us know the happiness time brings, not count the years.”โ€”Ausonius, poet

After all, in the end, the years will blend together, but many special experiences will illuminate beyond the rest.

Want more inspiration? Read these short inspirational quotes to boost your spirits.

Baseball player Satchel Paige.
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Free your thinking

“Age is a case of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it don’t matter.”โ€”Satchel Paige, baseball player

Sure, Dr. Seuss didn’t say it, but he could have.

Filmmaker Luis Bunuel.
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The stinky bit

“Age is something that doesn’t matter, unless you are a cheese.”โ€”Luis Bunuel, filmmaker

And we all know there’s nothing quite as satisfying as an aged cheese with a vintage glass of wine.

Writer George Sand.
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Stay alive

“Try to keep your soul young and quivering right up to old age.”โ€”George Sand, writer

That’s why you have to keep moving, grooving, loving, and believing, right until the very end. Don’t miss these inspiring quotes on happiness.

Writer Stanislaw Jerzy Lec.
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See the beauty

“Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art.”โ€”Stanislaw Jerzy Lec, writer

File this under “cards to send to your friends” right now. Read on for simple rules to help you live to 100.