Navigating these tumultuous emotions is ​not easy, no more so than navigating grief. In fact, these emotions are born from a similar experience. A loss. A recognition of something lost which can never be retrieved. The stages of grief include denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Denial is navigated with the effort of over productivity and moving forward, moving on quickly and ignoring the impact, and the feelings that come with the impact. The predominant of these feelings is the fear of the unknown. What's next? What if?

Hence cutting down a tree, rearranging and tidying the garage, fixing the seal under the toilet. And over productivity at work. Moving energy in a rigorous and purposeful way to create a sense of satisfaction, a sense of meaning and safety. But still percolating under the surface is the lack of understanding and the fear.
Anger arises at the drop of a hat. The dog needing to sniff every bush and slowing the run. The wind knocking over the flower pot, the other travellers on the road. Resistance to what is and being furious about what used to not bother or annoy. But what is skillful when one feels anger, even righteous anger. Is it appropriate to express ones thoughts? Or continue to hold them to oneself?
Probably the later in most cases. One can be right, one can be angry about the words or actions of someone else AND saying so may not make any difference except to cause more separation. Or it may be the first step of healing. But first the intention must be to spark healing. Which means one should probably not speak until on gets to acceptance.

Speaking from the position of bargaining is not a position of strength. It is a position of desperation.
Depression is waiting in the wings. Perhaps already weaving tendrils of thoughts of loss through the bargaining and the fear. All these stages weaving through each other as one finds new normal.

As Pema Chodron says, the practices are designed to help when we lose ground. The action then, in this moment is to practice.

A consequence of believing one is too old is that you will probably hold yourself back from things. The consequence could be missing out on opportunities to meet new people, do things, get your body in better shape. And it could also be to prevent real injury and pain. My 60 year old body is not super fond of big falls bouldering or dynamic moves and when I have done those things, not only has it meant not exercising, it has meant weeks of physiotherapy. 

The truth in my friends' perspective is this... words have power. Telling oneself that one is too old reinforces limits of what is possible for someone. That further entrenches fear and a lack of confidence. Grit and resilience are only earned by doing what feels difficult. There are no short cuts. You cannot develop these qualities without challenging thoughts and by trying to do what feels impossible. 

Where are you closed off from doing something because of a belief? Is it in your career? Or perhaps fitness? What would you be willing to do to challenge that belief? BE CAREFUL! Don't try to do the most extreme thing, but what little thing would potentially make a little difference? Maybe it is not bothering to take up a hobby because you don't believe you have time. Maybe it is not participating in a book club because you don't believe people will value your opinion. Maybe you won't go hiking because you have to go alone and something could happen. Think of a small way you could challenge the idea. A workshop to explore the hobby. Sharing your opinion about a book on Instagram or in your Facebook feed. Perhaps the hike could be a popular one at a busy time and with the ability to turn back if necessary.

Try it. There is no harm in learning from an attempt that did not go according to plan. And focus on the learning from the adventure. After all, the key ingredient in an adventure is uncertainty.