Age Is an Attitude

Welcome to The Brighter Side of Everything.

This newsletter serves a simple purpose → To help you build optimism, resilience and a solution-focused perspective.

Each week, I’ll share actionable insights that not only brighten your day but position you to be a leader within your own life and seize life’s opportunities.

Read time: 15-20 minutes.

Hello, Brighter Side readers! ☀️

Thank you for being here.

This week we dive right into one of the biggest myths out there.

The idea that our age defines us or limits who we can connect with (or who we can become).

We discuss the power of age-diverse friendships and a celebration of keeping the kid inside you alive, no matter how many candles are on your cake.

Also, some powerful lessons from chef José Andrés, along with tips for communicating with confidence.

Let’s jump in!

See you on the Brighter Side,

Chris

P.S. Please feel free to send me feedback on how I can improve. I respond to every email.

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Just 100 years ago, the average life expectancy was about 40 years.

125 years ago?

It was only 32.

These facts are wild to think about.

Thanks to countless breakthroughs in science and medicine in the years since, it’s practically doubled.

We have more years ahead of us than ever before.

But the real challenge isn’t just adding years to our lives.

It’s making sure you have plenty of ‘life’ in those years.

Age is almost always treated as a number.

A label handed to us at birth and measured by milestones.

The truth, though, is much deeper than that and age is far more fluid than a simple tally of years.

It’s more of an attitude.

A state of mind, and a lens through which we filter our choices, experiences and relationships.

The way we approach our age shapes everything.

Our health, outlook, joy, even the types of friendships we welcome.

Whether we realise it or not?

Life always finds a way to teach us this lesson.

Why do we let age box us in?

For most of us, friendships start naturally.

In the playground, classrooms, dorm rooms.

Our early years revolve around shared interests, homework woes, first crushes and enough awkward moments to fill a movie reel.

It feels familiar and safe.

But there’s a twist.

Staying inside those age lanes can shrink your world.

When I reached my mid-twenties, I noticed the script start to shift.

I realised that out in the world age is irrelevant, until you make it relevant.

Some of my most energising connections didn’t fit the rule book.

Older friends have provided wisdom for storms I’ve yet to face and younger friends bring a spark that keeps my curiosity alive.

Sometimes, they do the exact opposite.

And guess what?

Science agrees.

The more diverse our connections, the richer and more fulfilling our lives become.

Intergenerational friendships help to grow empathy, learning and the provide the type of growth that you’ll seldom find in closed circles.​

This feeling isn’t just sentimental.

Studies from organisations like AARP reveal almost four in ten adults have a close friend at least fifteen years older or younger than themselves.

These relationships sprout in surprising places.

Offices, gyms, supermarkets, school pickups.

You just have to be open to it.

Interestingly (and importantly), older adults with close friends from younger generations report more satisfaction with aging.

They even say they feel younger.

Research also shows that age-diverse friendships nurture skills, increase joy, reduce competition and create greater experiences for both sides.

These bonds can also ward off loneliness and anxiety, boost mental health and broaden your perspective.​

Seems like a good thing to me.

Here’s the secret that is lost on many.

Age isn’t just something passive that happens to us.

It’s something we actively shape, influence and carry through life.

Studies connect an optimistic attitude toward aging itself with longer life, better health and more fulfillment.

Sign me up.

In one study, researchers found people with a brighter outlook on aging enjoyed higher general satisfaction and lower depression.

A positive self-perception even translates to a measurable boost in mental cognition and overall well-being.​

Aging gracefully comes down to how we see ourselves.

Feeling fit, energetic and mentally sharp?

These are attitudes and habits, not magical gifts reserved for the few.

It’s less about birthday candles and more about whether we grant ourselves the spark of curiosity and open acceptance, daily.

Some moments in life beg for childlike joy, like one night this week, when I found myself dancing in my living room like a crazy man with my daughter.

Music cranked, losing myself in the fun.

No hesitation, no embarrassment.

Just joy.

Other times, life calls us to step up, take charge, and act with maturity.

There are also moments to slow down, to listen and soak up wisdom from someone who’s seen more seasons than us.

Seek wisdom from those who have earned it.

Chase adventure with those who crave it.

Laugh loudest with the ones who celebrate it.

Or simply find comfort in the quiet presence of a calm soul.

Life is so much more rewarding when you allow yourself to “borrow from every age.”

Too often, our world draws firm lines based on age.

“Too old.”

“Too young.”

Our birth year becomes a fence between us and opportunities for connection.

Yet these boundaries are completely artificial.

When we separate ourselves by age, we unintentionally limit our potential for growth and greater understanding.

But when these walls come down?

These relationships ooze with warmth, wisdom and fun.

Through my 47 years, I’ve watched others grow brighter or sadly shrink with age.

What makes the difference?

A willingness to keep moving physically, value relationships and stay mentally playful.

Those who grow more vibrant almost always break the “act your age” mold.

They keep moving, stay engaged and never stop learning.

Age becomes their launching pad.

Not a box they are stuck within.

Here’s some of the best advice I’ve ever received.

Never lose the kid in you.

Ever.

The curiosity.

The wonder.

The enthusiasm.

The imagination.

The acceptance of others.

They will all take you places in life.

Without them, life becomes cold and harsh.

That energy, openness and let’s-try curiosity add colour to our adult life.

I’ve seen what happens when you lose your childlike spark, everything becomes routine.

Feed it, and life will keep surprising you.

Of course there are days you’ll need to step up as the adult in the room.

There’ll be times you need to call on the wisdom of those more experienced than you.

The other times?

Let yourself go.

Dance, dream, laugh until you ache.

The secret is knowing which energy to channel and never boxing your spirit in because of an arbitrary number.

Here are some simple ways I’ve lived this approach to life:

Birthdays are fun but don’t let them define your story.

Life is a wild, winding story.

Full of surprises, rough patches and streaks of sunshine you never saw coming.

When you stop using age as a fence you open yourself to endless possibilities.

That number?

It’s simply a measure of how long you’ve graced the Earth.

If I’m honest, when I was 20, I thought 47 was old.

Turns out, I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Let’s add that to the ever growing list of opinions I’ve had that have been proven wrong.

Now at 47, I’m more excited about the years ahead than ever before.

But also feel like I’m still figuring things out.

Honestly, if you believe your best days are still in front of you?

You’ll find a way to make it true.

If you stop believing, they simply won’t show up.

The number doesn’t matter.

What you pour into each day does.

Take care of your body and mind.

Connect with people of every age.

Let your curiosity lead you somewhere new.

When you do, friendships get stronger (and deeper) if you give them a chance.

That kid that exists within you?

Let it take the wheel now and then.

Every day is a chance to make new memories with the people you love and fill your life with stories worth telling.

So don’t count your years.

Make your years count.

Fill them with curiosity, courage and connection.

Because joy doesn’t give a shit how old you are.

Want a quick dose of perspective?

This short video includes voices from age five to seventy-five, each sharing a regret (or their refusal to live with any).

It’s heartfelt and perfectly shows that what matters isn’t our age, but what we choose to do with the time we have:

What an inspiration José Andrés is.

Countless people ‘talk’ about changing the world.

José though?

He grabs a cutting board and just starts cooking.

It’s often said that inaction creates problems, while taking action solves problems.

This Spanish-American chef (whose boundless energy fills every room) is a great example of the impact taking action can have.

Not only has he reinvented the way the US eats.

He’s redefined what it means to help, nourish and rebuild communities in crisis.​

Andrés’s life is a testament to reinvention and resilience.

Born in northern Spain, he learned to cook from his parents and trained alongside legendary chef Ferran Adrià.

At just 21, he moved to America.

He barely spoke English, his wallet thin but his spirit high.

Starting out as a line cook, he soon managed to pioneer Spanish tapas in the US.

Building restaurants like Jaleo and Zaytinya and proving to diners that food could spark connection.​

But Andrés’ breakthrough happened far from the buzz of the restaurant world.

When a devastating earthquake struck Haiti in 2010, he founded World Central Kitchen (WCK) with one promise.

To feed people.

Fast.

Wherever disaster struck?

Andrés and his team innovated quickly with mobile kitchens and local ingredients.

They had a knack for getting food to those forgotten by the system.

After Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017, Andrés flew in with a plan so bold that officials thought he was dreaming.

The island was dark.

It was disconnected and people were desperate.

Within days, he commandeered kitchens, unlocked an arena and by sheer force of will, rallied an army of local chefs and volunteers.

“We began serving hospitals, because the doctors and the nurses - nobody was feeding them. But soon, the message was clear: the island is hungry. With one restaurant alone, we have not enough,” Andrés recalled.​

WCK would eventually serve more than 3.7 million meals in Puerto Rico, transforming stadiums into giant kitchens and pickup trucks into delivery fleets.

“At one point we had 18 kitchens functioning at the same time … over 150,000 meals a day,” Andrés said, his voice still dripping with awe from the collective effort.

For him, every meal is “a message of hope”.

A way of saying, you’re not alone.​

For Andrés, providing a warm meal represents dignity, hope and proof that someone is present and willing to help.

Whether it’s cooking paella in a stadium with locals or responding to war zones and pandemics, he rallies others with urgency.

“Don’t wait for permission. You feed people who need food now. And you invite everyone who wants to help,” he says with gusto.​

Andrés’ model - fast, local, respectful and joyful, has shifted how governments and NGOs think about disaster food relief.

He’s influenced policy debates in Washington and inspired volunteers across the world to show up and do the next small good thing.

Even when they don’t have a perfect plan.

José Andrés shows that the right action (done with heart), can ripple out farther than we ever imagine.

He proves that optimism (real optimism) looks a lot like rolling up your sleeves and bringing comfort where it’s needed most.

He is quoted as saying something honest and truly profound: “Too often, charity is about the redemption of the giver, when in fact, it should be about the liberation of the receiver”.

So here’s your recipe for the week: Don’t wait.

Start with what you have.

Invite others and trust that small acts (done fiercely and often) build the kind of world we all want to live in.

The table is always bigger than you think.

Every moment you choose to serve, hope grows.

One plate, one neighbor, one brave step at a time.

That’s how change is fed and how the future is made.

Want to learn more Jose and World CentralKitchen? Check out this short video on YouTube:

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Effective communication is an essential skill to possess and one that can alter your trajectory in massive ways.

It can help you grow your confidence or to strengthen a relationship.

It can open you to more success at work or even overcome unexpected challenges.

Like many people, improving how I express myself has always felt worthwhile.

That’s what led me to Vinh Giang’s YouTube channel a few years back.

It’s a resource that reframes communication skills as teachable and fun for anyone willing to practice.

Read that last part again becuase it’s crucial, anyone willing to practice.

In order to make change you need to step away from the idea that you aren’t a good communicator and simply put in the reps.

Anything that is worth doing in life takes practice, persistance and determination.

Vinh stands out for his clear focus on practical strategies to sharpen your communication skills.

Not just speaking but listening and pausing.

Each episode breaks down communication techniques (from handling nerves before a big meeting to adding impact to your everyday conversations) with empathy and encouragement.

The advice he provides is delivered with actionable steps that will make a real difference in how you connect with others.​

His interesting background as both a magician and keynote speaker allow him to bring fresh energy to seemingly simple ideas.

Making communication feel like a skill set you can actually master.

By weaving in relatable stories and demonstrating visual techniques (like changing body language or vocal tone), he makes each lesson stick.

If your goal is to communicate with clarity and confidence, this is a channel designed to help you grow.

Vinh’s passion for communication extends beyond YouTube though.

He’s the founder of Stage Academy, a learning platform where students can access workshops and immersive courses in public speaking, vocal mastery and body language.

If you’re looking to go beyond free video lessons, Stage Academy offers a structured, hands-on approach to mastering communication in all aspects of life.

More details can be found on his website: vinhgiang.com.​

What’s unique about Vinh’s content is his ability to show that communication is for everybody, not just “natural” extroverts or experts.

He emphasises intentionality over talent, highlighting how anyone can become a better communicator by developing habits and staying open to feedback.

The channel is also approachable and engaging, with episodes featuring real-life stories and honest admission of mistakes.

Vinh also comes across as having a genuine desire to see his viewers succeed.

Each video often leaves you with optimism and a renewed curiosity about the role of connection in daily life.​​

Here’s a quick look at some video themes from his channel:

Confidence takes practice, not a special personality: The clearest, most confident speakers often aren’t born naturals. They build skills by repeating small actions like pausing for effect, adjusting their delivery, or stepping back to check assumptions.​

Listening is at the core of connection: The best communicators prioritise leaving space for others and seek understanding before responding. Vinh shows how curiosity and attentive listening grow deeper trust and add meaning.​

Treat rejection as a steppingstone: Vinh explores why stepping into uncomfortable “no’s” or awkward moments is valuable. Seeing rejection as progress helps make tough conversations or public speaking less intimidating and more productive.​

Habits ripple through every relationship: The tone you set in conversation (via your energy, encouragement and small gestures) shapes the atmosphere no matter who you are talking to. Mindful communication builds stronger, more supportive relationships.​

Effective communication forms the backbone of every strong relationship.

It can mean the difference between a thriving partnership and one that struggles to survive.

Giang’s channel offers brilliant a toolkit for continuous improvement along with some positive motivation to push you forward.

By approaching communication as a set of habits to develop, his advice really lands.

Whether you want to feel more confident sharing ideas, overcome nerves, or simply build better realtionships with those around you, Vinh’s perspective and resources offer practical solutions.

Are you keen to express yourself more clearly or connect more deeply with others?

If you decide to give Vinh’s channel a try, share what resonates.

I’d love to hear which moments or frameworks boosted your confidence.

Let’s keep the conversation going.

Want a taste of what I’m talking about? Check out this 8 minute video focused on growing your confidence:

Please share; I'm always keen for great suggestions.

If you’ve ever found yourself spinning a story before double checking the facts, you’re not alone.

Our minds can run wild with assumptions, sometimes at our expense.

It’s something we all do.

Filling in blanks, guessing why someone acted a certain way, or jumping to conclusions before you have all the information.

The truth?

Acting on those assumptions often turns a small issue into a big mess.

But asking honest questions almost always leads to more clarity and fewer regrets.

The only real regret is usually not asking sooner.

Humans are story-telling machines.

Sometimes those automatic stories help, but they just as often lead us astray.

Research has shown our decisions are better (and less emotional) when we stay curious and open-minded rather than jumping to conclusions.

Creating space to ask questions gives you a moment to pause, gather the facts and avoid treating fiction as fact.

At work or with friends, the closest connections and best outcomes start with curiosity.

Not assumption.​

Direct questions like “Did you mean that?” or “What actually happened?” keep misunderstandings to a minimum and save a heap of trouble later.

Trust me, my brain has invented some wild stories that never turned out to be true.

These days, I just ask.

Clarity is a gift we give ourselves and everyone around us.

By swapping imagined stories for real questions, you trade confusion and frustration for understanding and genuine connection.

This builds trust.

The world (and our relationships) become a whole lot lighter when we’re brave enough to ask and patient enough to listen for the real answer.

The next time your mind is filling in the blanks?

Pause and reach for curiosity instead.

Try asking one extra question this week, I’d love to hear how it goes.

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