In a world that’s becoming increasingly fast-paced, driven by fleeting trends and ever-changing technology, the concept of age has taken on new meaning. Youth is celebrated almost universally, but it is no longer bound by the limitations of physical age. On the other side of the coin, the wisdom and experiences of the elderly often remain untapped, dismissed, or overlooked. Enter Polly Yang’s OldGoesYoung, a movement that brings generations together in ways that are refreshing, enlightening, and ultimately empowering.
At first glance, the name “OldGoesYoung” might evoke the image of a typical “anti-aging” campaign. However, this project is anything but superficial. Instead, it’s a multifaceted movement focused on the melding of youthful energy and the seasoned perspective of older generations. Polly Yang, the brainchild behind this venture, created OldGoesYoung with the vision of fostering an exchange of wisdom, creativity, and vitality between older adults and younger generations, breaking down the stereotypes often associated with age.
Polly Yang: The Visionary Behind the Movement
Polly Yang, a Singapore-born visionary and social entrepreneur, has been fascinated by the concept of age since her early years. Raised by her grandparents in a traditional Asian household, she learned to respect and revere the wisdom of the elders. But as she grew older and ventured into the wider world, Polly realized how differently society in other parts of the globe treated its older citizens.
Her international experiences, coupled with her background in psychology and sociology, led her to ask an essential question: Why should age dictate one’s capacity to contribute to society or enjoy life?
This simple but powerful inquiry laid the groundwork for what would eventually become OldGoesYoung. Unlike typical youth-centric movements, Polly’s initiative puts emphasis on intergenerational connections, striving to inspire both the old and the young to embrace the best of what each stage of life has to offer.
What is OldGoesYoung?
OldGoesYoung is an international community of individuals, both young and old, who aim to reshape how we view aging and youth. At its core, OldGoesYoung is about collaboration and mentorship, built around programs and events that encourage interaction between the older and younger members of society. These exchanges often take the form of workshops, mentorship programs, creative arts initiatives, and even social media campaigns that break the barriers of ageism.
Polly’s approach is holistic. She advocates not only for the celebration of youthfulness in old age but also for the incorporation of the experience and wisdom of elders into the lives of young people. This is especially important in today’s hyper-connected world, where information is abundant, but wisdom can sometimes seem scarce.
By participating in OldGoesYoung, individuals are encouraged to tap into the skills and knowledge of different generations. Whether it’s a millennial teaching an elderly person how to navigate the digital landscape or an older adult mentoring a young professional in traditional life skills, the exchange is always mutually beneficial.
Embracing Intergenerational Collaboration
One of the key pillars of OldGoesYoung is the idea of collaboration across generations. Polly believes that younger and older people have much to learn from one another, and that cross-generational partnerships can lead to innovative solutions to contemporary problems. Whether it’s in business, personal growth, or creative pursuits, the blending of youthful energy with the wisdom of experience often produces results far greater than the sum of its parts.
For instance, OldGoesYoung often sponsors creative workshops that bring together people from different age groups. These workshops might focus on topics like art, technology, or personal development. Younger participants bring fresh perspectives, bold ideas, and tech-savvy solutions, while older participants share invaluable life experiences, patience, and long-term thinking. The result is a melting pot of ideas that enrich both sides, proving that age is just a number when it comes to creativity and innovation.
Shattering Age-Related Stereotypes
A critical part of Polly Yang’s mission is to dismantle the stereotypes that tend to accompany old age. Society has long clung to certain assumptions about what it means to get older: slower, less capable, resistant to change, and uninterested in new things. Polly and the OldGoesYoung community challenge these assumptions every day.
In reality, many older adults are more open to new experiences and ideas than people assume. And with the advances in health and technology, the notion of what it means to “grow old” has shifted dramatically in recent years. Polly’s message is clear: Just because someone is older doesn’t mean they can’t live with the same enthusiasm and passion as someone half their age.
On the flip side, Polly is equally invested in ensuring that young people do not fall into the trap of dismissing older generations or viewing them as irrelevant in today’s modern landscape. The “wisdom gap,” as Polly calls it, is the unfortunate chasm that often forms between generations when communication and understanding break down. OldGoesYoung aims to close this gap, fostering an environment where the exchange of ideas between the generations is fluid, respectful, and beneficial for all.
The Power of Social Media and Technology
One of the surprising successes of OldGoesYoung is its robust presence on social media platforms, an area typically dominated by younger users. Under Polly’s guidance, the movement has leveraged platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to share stories, highlight inspiring older individuals, and promote the importance of intergenerational interaction.
Social media is not only used to market the movement but also to teach older participants how to engage with the digital world. Polly’s workshops often include sessions on how to navigate the internet, set up social media accounts, and even create content. This way, older adults become digital natives in their own right, learning how to communicate and share their experiences with the world, while younger participants learn patience and the value of slowing down in the fast-paced digital world.
Technology is a significant tool in Polly’s toolkit. By introducing older adults to new technology, OldGoesYoung empowers them to stay connected with their communities, access vital information, and continue learning throughout their lives.
The Global Impact of OldGoesYoung
What started as a modest initiative has grown into a global movement. Polly Yang’s OldGoesYoung now boasts participants from various countries, each bringing a unique perspective on aging and youth. Polly herself has traveled extensively, hosting events, lectures, and workshops in cities across Europe, North America, and Asia. She believes that each culture brings something different to the table in the discussion of age, and her global outlook has only enriched the movement.
One of the more ambitious goals of OldGoesYoung is to influence how society as a whole views aging. Polly is passionate about advocating for policies that support the inclusion of older individuals in every aspect of life, from the workplace to the arts to entrepreneurship. She hopes that OldGoesYoung will not only inspire individuals but also have a lasting impact on governments, organizations, and institutions.
The Future of OldGoesYoung
As OldGoesYoung continues to grow, Polly Yang shows no signs of slowing down. She envisions expanding the movement into new territories, engaging more cultures, and further fostering relationships between older and younger people. In the future, Polly plans to launch OldGoesYoung TV, an online platform that will spotlight intergenerational stories, host talks on aging, and provide a space for older adults to share their personal journeys.
Polly is also exploring partnerships with educational institutions to create programs that incorporate OldGoesYoung’s principles into school curriculums. By teaching the next generation the value of intergenerational collaboration, Polly believes we can fundamentally change how future generations view aging.
Conclusion
In a world where youth is often glorified and age is overlooked, Polly Yang’s OldGoesYoung offers a refreshing new perspective. It proves that age does not define your ability to learn, grow, or contribute to society. Instead, by fostering connections across generations, OldGoesYoung shows us that we can all benefit from embracing both the vitality of youth and the wisdom of experience.