{"id":731,"date":"2026-04-01T08:00:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T08:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/?p=731"},"modified":"2026-03-31T21:00:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T21:00:09","slug":"age-letting-go-without-losing-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-letting-go-without-losing-you\/","title":{"rendered":"AGE | Letting Go Without Losing You"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"731\" class=\"elementor elementor-731\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c1226a3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c1226a3\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8904c2c elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8904c2c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">AGE | Letting Go Without Losing You<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6b76f3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d6b76f3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-featured-image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Letting-go.png\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536 wp-image-790\" alt=\"Older Adult Couple on a swing looking at each other talking\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Letting-go.png 1200w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Letting-go-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Letting-go-1024x307.png 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Letting-go-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65d4147 e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"65d4147\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b2f6db elementor-author-box--image-valign-middle elementor-widget elementor-widget-author-box\" data-id=\"6b2f6db\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"author-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"elementor-author-box__avatar\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025_AGE-Blog_authors-450x-6-Melissa-Cooke-300x300.png\" alt=\"Picture of Melissa Cook\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-author-box__name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMelissa Cook\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-79cfe2e elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info\" data-id=\"79cfe2e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-info.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-inline-items elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-a3a363a elementor-inline-item\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/2026\/04\/01\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-calendar\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M12 192h424c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v260c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H48c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V204c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12zm436-44v-36c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48h-48V12c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v52H160V12c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v52H48C21.5 64 0 85.5 0 112v36c0 6.6 5.4 12 12 12h424c6.6 0 12-5.4 12-12z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time>April 1, 2026<\/time>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b223654 elementor-share-buttons--shape-rounded elementor-share-buttons--view-icon-text elementor-share-buttons--skin-gradient elementor-grid-0 elementor-share-buttons--color-official elementor-widget elementor-widget-share-buttons\" 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79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLinkedIn\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_facebook\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fab-facebook\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.78 90.69 226.38 209.25 245V327.69h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.31 482.38 504 379.78 504 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFacebook\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_email\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on email\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-envelope\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M502.3 190.8c3.9-3.1 9.7-.2 9.7 4.7V400c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H48c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V195.6c0-5 5.7-7.8 9.7-4.7 22.4 17.4 52.1 39.5 154.1 113.6 21.1 15.4 56.7 47.8 92.2 47.6 35.7.3 72-32.8 92.3-47.6 102-74.1 131.6-96.3 154-113.7zM256 320c23.2.4 56.6-29.2 73.4-41.4 132.7-96.3 142.8-104.7 173.4-128.7 5.8-4.5 9.2-11.5 9.2-18.9v-19c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48H48C21.5 64 0 85.5 0 112v19c0 7.4 3.4 14.3 9.2 18.9 30.6 23.9 40.7 32.4 173.4 128.7 16.8 12.2 50.2 41.8 73.4 41.4z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmail\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_print\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on print\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-print\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M448 192V77.25c0-8.49-3.37-16.62-9.37-22.63L393.37 9.37c-6-6-14.14-9.37-22.63-9.37H96C78.33 0 64 14.33 64 32v160c-35.35 0-64 28.65-64 64v112c0 8.84 7.16 16 16 16h48v96c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h320c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-96h48c8.84 0 16-7.16 16-16V256c0-35.35-28.65-64-64-64zm-64 256H128v-96h256v96zm0-224H128V64h192v48c0 8.84 7.16 16 16 16h48v96zm48 72c-13.25 0-24-10.75-24-24 0-13.26 10.75-24 24-24s24 10.74 24 24c0 13.25-10.75 24-24 24z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrint\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-999aeca elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"999aeca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As we age, we watch our hair turn gray and the wrinkles appear, as if our mirrors have quietly switched to\u202f\u201chigh-definition honesty mode.\u201d\u202fIt\u2019s\u00a0a process we\u00a0observe\u00a0over decades, one strand, one line, one mysterious ache at a time.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Aging has a way of quietly rearranging our lives.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It\u2019s\u00a0one thing to\u00a0watch\u00a0the years pass.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0another thing to feel parts of yourself\u00a0slipping away. Retirement\u00a0comes. Health shifts. The kids\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0need you the same way they used to. Friends move away\u00a0or pass on. And somewhere in all of it,\u00a0you may ask:\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Who am I now?\u202f<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For most of our lives, we know ourselves through our roles. The busy one. The strong one. The provider. The caregiver. The one everyone calls when something needs fixing. When those roles change, it can feel like something important has been taken away.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">But\u00a0here\u2019s\u00a0the truth: the role may shift, but the core of who you are\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0disappear.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A rancher who no longer\u00a0works\u00a0cattle still carries grit and problem-solving. A teacher who leaves the classroom still carries curiosity and patience. A parent whose children are grown still carries love and wisdom. Titles fade.\u00a0Character\u00a0does\u00a0not.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Many people find that later life is less about starting over and more about weaving the story together. Looking back. Making peace. Recognizing the hard seasons you survived and the good you gave. That kind of reflection\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0living in the\u00a0past,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0honoring it.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There can also be grief in this season. We\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0often talk about grieving the versions of ourselves we used to be\u2014the strong back, the packed schedule, the feeling of being needed every hour of the day. That grief is real. Naming it\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0make you weak. It makes you honest.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">At the same time, something steady remains.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c625ebd elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c625ebd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.12.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-385\" alt=\"Older Adult Couple in an Hammock\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.12.png 1200w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.12-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.12-1024x307.png 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.12-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1950088 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1950088\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Researchers who study aging have found that most people maintain a surprisingly stable sense of self across the years. Even when bodies slow down and roles change, there is an inner thread that connects who you were at 30, 50, and 70. You are still you.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Staying connected helps. Time with friends. Church groups. Volunteering when and how you\u2019re able. Sharing stories with grandchildren. Telling someone younger what you\u2019ve learned the hard way. These aren\u2019t small things. They reinforce purpose.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">And purpose matters more than constant busyness ever did.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Aging well isn\u2019t about pretending nothing has changed. It\u2019s about adapting with flexibility. It\u2019s allowing rooms in your life to be rearranged without tearing down the foundation. It\u2019s carrying forward your values, resilience, humor, faith, loyalty, even if the job description looks different now.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You are not outdated. You are experienced.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Letting go of who you were\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0mean losing who you are. It means allowing your identity to breathe, adapt, and continue, just in a different shape.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:276,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Aging changes the story, but it\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0erase the author.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:276,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I\u2019d\u00a0love to hear how\u00a0you\u2019ve\u00a0embraced a new role in your life.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:276,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:276,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Resources<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:276,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Atchley, R. C. (1989). A continuity theory of normal aging.\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Gerontologist, 29<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(2), 183\u2013190.<\/span>\u00a0<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/geront\/29.2.183\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/geront\/29.2.183<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Diehl, M., Wahl, H.-W., Barrett, A. E., Brothers, A. F., Miche, M.,\u00a0Montepare, J. M., Westerhof, G. J., &amp; Wurm, S. (2014). Awareness of aging: Theoretical considerations on an emerging concept.\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Developmental Review, 34<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(2), 93\u2013113.<\/span>\u00a0<br \/><span data-contrast=\"auto\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.dr.2014.01.001<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Erikson, E. H. (1982).\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The life cycle\u00a0completed.<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0New York: W.\u00a0W. Norton.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Kaufman, S. R. (1986).\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The ageless self: Sources of meaning in late life.<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Madison: University of Wisconsin Press.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Pixabay. (2026). Image.\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Https:\/\/www.Pexels.com<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being.\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(6), 1069\u20131081.<\/span>\u00a0<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/0022-3514.57.6.1069\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/0022-3514.57.6.1069<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Sedikides, C., Wildschut, T., Arndt, J., &amp; Routledge, C. (2008). Nostalgia: Past, present, and future.\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Current Directions in Psychological Science, 17<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(5), 304\u2013307.<\/span>\u00a0<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1467-8721.2008.00595.x\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1467-8721.2008.00595.x<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Wagnild, G. M., &amp; Young, H. M. (1993). Development and psychometric evaluation of the Resilience Scale.\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Journal of Nursing Measurement, 1<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(2), 165\u2013178.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Wong, P. T. P. (2010). Meaning therapy: An integrative and positive existential psychotherapy.\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 40<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(2), 85\u201393.<\/span>\u00a0<br \/><span data-contrast=\"auto\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10879-009-9132-6<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-06437c2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"06437c2\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3bc8a39 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3bc8a39\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Related Posts<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6f73b4a elementor-posts__hover-none elementor-grid-2 elementor-grid-tablet-2 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"6f73b4a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;cards_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:80,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:71,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:30,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_columns&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.cards\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-cards elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-731 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-age-blog category-mental-health tag-melissa-cook\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-letting-go-without-losing-you\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Letting-go.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-790\" alt=\"Older Adult Couple on a swing looking at each other talking\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Letting-go.png 1200w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Letting-go-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Letting-go-1024x307.png 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Letting-go-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-letting-go-without-losing-you\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tAGE | Letting Go Without Losing You\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>As we age, we watch our hair turn gray and the wrinkles appear, as if our mirrors have quietly switched to \u201chigh-definition honesty mode.\u201d It\u2019s a process we observe over decades, one strand, one line, one mysterious ache at a time. <\/p>\n<p>Aging has a way of quietly rearranging our lives.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-letting-go-without-losing-you\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about AGE | Letting Go Without Losing You\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRespectful terms for aging\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-572 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-age-blog category-mental-health tag-melissa-cook\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-surviving-cabin-fever-with-resiliency\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Flitners-.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-573\" alt=\"Wyoming Couple with Horses\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Flitners-.png 1200w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Flitners--300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Flitners--1024x307.png 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Flitners--768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-surviving-cabin-fever-with-resiliency\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tAGE | Surviving Cabin Fever with Resiliency\u202f\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>I returned home from work tonight, and before making dinner, I opened the freezer, slipped out a half-gallon of my favorite ice cream, and dished out a small bowl. I stood in front of the heater, savoring every spoonful of peanut butter and chocolate chips while feeling the warmth from the fire on my backside and toes.\u202f<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-surviving-cabin-fever-with-resiliency\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about AGE | Surviving Cabin Fever with Resiliency\u202f\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRespectful terms for aging\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As we age, we watch our hair turn gray and the wrinkles appear, as if our mirrors have quietly switched to \u201chigh-definition honesty mode.\u201d It\u2019s a process we observe over decades, one strand, one line, one mysterious ache at a time. <\/p>\n<p>Aging has a way of quietly rearranging our lives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":790,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,9],"tags":[14],"class_list":["post-731","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-age-blog","category-mental-health","tag-melissa-cook"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/731","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=731"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/731\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":793,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/731\/revisions\/793"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/790"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=731"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=731"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=731"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}