Embracing the Process

Aging with purpose, practicality, and cheap, thick jeans

Not long ago, while walking into Costco (aka the midwestern middle-aged person’s Happiest Place on Earth), I realized that every stitch of clothing I had on was from Costco. And, just to get this out of the way, yes, EVERY stitch of clothing. They are a one-stop shop for all of your needs, particularly if your needs include boxer briefs curated by the same people who have hand-picked your pasta sauce and gun safes.

I can’t recall why this fashion fact occurred to me, but there was probably some giddy-adjacent anticipation as to what clothing would be laid out that day on those large island/tables that surely moonlight as pot pie prep stations, as needed. More likely, I saw another guy also walking in, also wearing the same comfort foam Adidas that I had on, a similar pep in his oh-so-arch-supported step. (By the way, if you’re not familiar with these shoes, they are not available anywhere else, even the Adidas website. Membership has its perks. Exclusivity, anyone?!)

The surprising thing is, while I wasn’t exactly proud of the fact that I was a walking advert for the Costco fashion dept., I was ok with it. I wasn’t bothered. And while I didn’t brag about it, I’m obviously not ashamed to share it with you fine people.

I’ve found this general waning concern for youthful self-preservation, and the accompanying increase in practicality, to be a mostly-welcome feature of aging. It’s almost like watching the stereotypical “losing of touch with the times” play out, if not in real time, then in crisp, mostly salient highlights, and instead of being horrified by it, being strangely comforted in its glow.

In short, the older I get, the more I cherish the practical over the fashionable, much to the horror of my 20 year old self (not to mention my own children) and to the delight of the old soul future-Phil waiting in whatever later-life convalescent room awaits.

It made me ponder what other things I’m ok with which once would have been an assault to my sense of propriety and pride. Some that come to mind:

• Plastic sleeves that go into pockets to protect them from leaky pens. This Costco button-down wasn’t expensive, but that doesn’t mean I want ink all over it!

• Small “packs” that rest securely in the general vicinity of the midriff. You call it a “cross body” all you want. Move it 8-inches lower, and it’s a fanny pack, and it is a pragmatic way to travel.

• Taking leftovers home from a business lunch. Sure, it’s a fourth of a chicken quesadilla, and, of course, it will sit in my hot car the entire afternoon, but free food is free food. (No one else wants these tortilla chips? Yeah, pile them in there!)

• Telling complete strangers using a laptop at Panera I couldn’t help but notice they invest with Charles Schwab and asking if they’re happy with their service and portfolio. I don’t have all the time in the world left to make sure my affairs are in order!

• Wearing the same socks I just wore to a wedding to the gym - they are not getting any cleaner, and black is black, no matter how thin and long they might be.

• Speaking of the gym, walking up to a complete stranger at the free weight racks and saying something along the lines of, “You’re pretty fit, what’s your protein intake?” It’s called becoming a student of fitness, and it’s a sign of wisdom.

• Speaking of speaking of the gym, wearing my free 2023 YMCA shirt to The Y. And to Planet Fitness. And for working in the yard. You think they don’t know about what makes a good workout shirt? They know. The cotton is so breathable! And I do “belong here”.

• Asking my kids’ friends if they “have seen any good movies lately” or if they “enjoy driving” or “what their relationship is like with their parents”. It’s important to show an interest in the next generation.

• Telling the optometrist that my biggest concern with my current prescription is that I can “barely read the instructions on my medication bottles” and that I “occasionally drive after 8 PM” and that I wonder “what their relationship is like with their parents”

There are certainly more, but I need to run. It’s mid-May, which means the Costco sales cycle just reset, and the new stuff goes fast. If you think I’m trying to squeeze into a medium Lucky Brand shirt again, well, I will, but not if I can help it!

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Happy Friday Thursday! (I could have sworn . . .). Thanks for reading. Love hearing from you, please let me know what about the aging process you are embracing! And please forward to anyone who might enjoy these . . . actually feel free to forward even if you know they won’t enjoy it. Can’t hurt, right?

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