Radiant Rebellion: Reclaim Aging, Practice Joy, and Raise a Little Hell

What if aging is something to aspire to, not to dread? What if together we could forge a radiant rebellion against the idea of aging as a season of decline?

Join Karen Walrond, author of The Lightmaker’s Manifesto, in this intriguing investigation into how we can reclaim aging, cultivate joy, and resist ageism.

During her own year of transition—a milestone birthday, a wedding anniversary, the emptying of the nest—Walrond, in the buoyant and luminous style her readers have come to love, does a deep dive into dimensions of getting older, including health, beauty, spirituality, connection, adventure, and meaning and purpose. Through conversations with social workers and neurologists, activists and clergy, Walrond satisfies her curiosity—and ours—about why the dominant culture treats aging as a time of dwindling capacity. She also embarks on a series of experiments that help her rebel against convention: letting her hair go naturally gray, going on a silent retreat, revamping her health practices, and plotting her next adventure.

Internalized ageism—bias against our future selves—is not our only option; we can write a different story of aging than the one we’ve been handed. With wisdom from luminaries who light our way, Walrond helps us radiantly rebel against the fads and assumptions that hold us back, redefine the adventure of getting older, and create a shining future of expanded potential. We might even raise a little hell while we’re at it! A resources section offers journal prompts and strategies for creating a handbook for your own radiant rebellion.