Why Challenging Casual Ageism (“OK, Boomer!”) Is Good for Your Mental Health

Most of us have heard the phrase, “OK, Boomer.”

Sometimes it’s meant as a joke. Sometimes it’s meant to dismiss someone’s opinion. And while it may seem harmless, it’s part of something much bigger: ageism.

Ageism is one of the few forms of prejudice that often goes unnoticed—or worse, gets laughed off. We joke about “senior moments,” tease people for getting older, and celebrate looking younger as though aging is something to hide.

The truth is, every one of us is aging. If we’re lucky, we’ll all grow older.

So why do we treat aging like it’s something to fear?

At Bloom & Become Wellness, I believe that recognizing and challenging ageism isn’t just good for society—it’s good for your own mental health.

Ageism Is Everywhere

Ageism shows up in obvious ways, like discrimination in the workplace. But it also appears in everyday conversations.

Have you ever heard someone say:

• “She’s too old to start over.”
• “You don’t look your age!”
• “Women become invisible after 50.”
• “Technology is too complicated for older people.”
• “I’m having a senior moment.”

Comments like these may seem small, but over time they reinforce the idea that getting older means becoming less capable, less valuable, or less relevant.

When we hear these messages often enough, we can begin believing them ourselves.

Women Often Feel It More Deeply

Although men experience ageism too, women often face a double standard.

As women age, society frequently places less value on qualities like wisdom, experience, leadership, and resilience while placing greater emphasis on youth and appearance.

Many women begin questioning themselves—not because they’ve changed, but because the culture around them has.

You might wonder whether you’re too old to change careers, go back to school, start a business, travel, or pursue a new dream.

The reality?

Many women do some of the most meaningful work of their lives in midlife and beyond.

The Hidden Cost of Internalizing Ageism

One of the most powerful findings in aging research is that the beliefs we hold about aging actually influence how we age.

Psychologist Becca Levy has spent decades studying this phenomenon. Her research shows that people with more positive views of aging tend to experience better physical health, better memory, lower rates of depression, and even longer lives.

In other words, our mindset matters.

When we constantly tell ourselves we’re “too old,” we may unintentionally limit our confidence, our opportunities, and our willingness to keep growing.

That’s a heavy burden to carry.

Refusing to Participate Can Be Liberating

Here’s the good news:

You don’t have to join in.

The next time someone makes an age-based joke, you can choose not to laugh.

You can gently challenge the assumption.

You can stop making those jokes about yourself.

You can celebrate birthdays without apologizing for your age.

You can admire laugh lines as signs of a life well lived instead of flaws to erase.

These may seem like small acts, but they send an important message—to yourself and to others—that growing older is not something to be ashamed of.

Joy Doesn’t Retire

One of the ideas I love from Dr. Kerry Burnight’s Joyspan is that thriving doesn’t stop at a certain birthday.

Our later years can be filled with purpose, curiosity, learning, meaningful relationships, contribution, and joy.

That perspective is incredibly freeing.

Instead of asking, “How do I stay young?”

What if we asked,

“How do I continue growing?”

That’s a much healthier question.

Choosing a Different Story

Positive psychology reminds us that well-being isn’t determined by age. It’s influenced by our relationships, our sense of purpose, our ability to stay engaged, and our willingness to keep learning.

Growing older doesn’t mean becoming less valuable.

It means becoming more experienced.

More resilient.

More compassionate.

More yourself.

A Simple Challenge This Week

Pay attention to how often ageism shows up around you.

Notice the commercials.

Listen to conversations.

Pay attention to jokes.

Then ask yourself:

“Would I say this about someone based on their race, gender, or disability?”

If the answer is no, it may be worth reconsidering why it’s acceptable when the topic is age.

Every time we refuse to participate in casual ageism, we’re helping create a culture that values people at every stage of life.

More importantly, we’re protecting our own mental well-being by choosing a healthier, more hopeful view of aging.

At Bloom & Become Wellness, I believe every stage of life brings new opportunities to learn, grow, and flourish. Aging isn’t the end of your story—it’s simply another chapter. And it might just be your best one yet.

References

Burnight, K. (2025). Joyspan: The art and science of thriving in life’s second half. Worthy Publishing.

Levy, B. (2022). Breaking the age code: How your beliefs about aging determine how long and well you live. William Morrow.

Levy, B. R., Slade, M. D., Kunkel, S. R., & Kasl, S. V. (2002). Longevity increased by positive self-perceptions of aging. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 83(2), 261–270. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.83.2.261

Levy, B. R. (2009). Stereotype embodiment: A psychosocial approach to aging. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 18(6), 332–336. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2009.01662.x

World Health Organization. (2021). Global report on ageism. World Health Organization.

American Psychological Association. (2020). Stress in America™ 2020: Stress and aging. American Psychological Association.