LITO Archives - My New Old Self

Facebook: Repository of Aging Adults

Jan

26

2018

When Facebook was launched nearly 15 years ago it was a hangout of the youth. Older users were few and far between. But now older people are the main age group joining up. Young people not so much – in fact, many are reportedly fleeing Facebook to other social media. “Teens just want to be ...

So… that’s how they start sentences these days

Nov

16

2017

I have recently noticed more and more people starting sentences with the word “So”. I have also noticed that most of those who like to launch their sentences with So are younger than me. I have no principled objection to the use of So to start a sentence. In fact, there are many instances in ...

Who wants self-destructing messages? 1

Feb

23

2017

“This tape will self-destruct in 5 seconds.” Those words were immortalised by the Mission Impossible spy thriller TV series. This warning of the imminent self-destructing of the taped message to the Impossible Missions Force launched every episode and cued the theme music. Since Hollywood helps us share memories across the ages, younger people will also recognise ...

Holiday shopping – Lucky I’m Too Old 1

Dec

2

2016

The year-end holiday shopping season is well underway, launched last week on the US retail calendar’s top-selling date. Black Friday seems to be colonising the world. So now is a good time to use that acronym I coined: LITO – Lucky I’m Too Old! Battle the crowds at the malls in pursuit of bargains? LITO! ...

To Do: Nothing 1

May

27

2016

Here is some praise for an activity that gets a lot of criticism: Doing Nothing. We are endlessly exhorted to Do Things. To be active, to keep moving – forward. What is this relentless busy-ness aimed at? Achieving goals. Our To Do lists are full of goals: to exercise more, to eat less, to kick ...

Distracted Walking? No, pay attention!

Jan

14

2016

“Watch your step!” I have heard that warning a lot in my life, and have often been grateful for it. However, there are a lot of people out there who seem not to heed such counsel. As a result they are putting themselves at risk for the latest health hazard of the digital age: Distracted Walking. ...

10 Tips on Holiday Travel 1

Dec

16

2015

Whether you go to relatives for the holidays or use the December-January break to take a vacation, you have to spend time getting there. Travelling during the busiest time of the year can be stressful. ‘Tis the season, but by the time you arrive at your destination you may be less than jolly. So it’s worth ...

Unfollowers? Lucky I’m Too Old to have any!

May

7

2015

When I see the word “Unfollow” I immediately think: LITO! Perhaps you’ll recall the internet slang-style acronym My New Old Self coined for those situations where it’s actually better not to be young: LITO, meaning Lucky I’m Too Old. I enjoy finding opportunities to use LITO, if only to mutter it under my breath with ...

Device overload? LITO! 1

Mar

11

2015

Here’s an opportunity to use my new acronym for those aging in the digital age: LITO, for Lucky I’m Too Old. There is growing evidence linking overuse of digital devices to memory loss and depression in later life. My response? LITO! Lucky I’m Too Old to worry about things that may happen decades hence. Lucky ...

LITO: Lucky I’m Too Old 1

Dec

3

2014

This is the first in an occasional series, LITO: Lucky I’m Too Old. (Yes, it is written in the dreaded “listicle” format, a list posing as an article, which has been proven to hook readers. I trust it’s working.) You may have noticed that internet and phone slang relies heavily on acronyms, the most common one ...