Almost Septuagenarian And Proud Of It!
Time to be transparent about my age. I turn 70 next year. The world thinks I retired. The world thinks my business is a fun hobby that I do in my spare time. NOT!
What is a Granfluencer?
I want to use the blog to talk about granfluencers – the definition according to dictionary.com is:
The word grandfluencer refers to older influencer, especially one who seems at least old enough to be a grandparent.
I just discovered the word granfluencers serendipitously while updating websites and I was immediatly enamored by the idea. These seniors are web savvy and have large audiences on various types of social media. I’m interested in those sharing a positive image of aging. I just started following these accounts:
From my research on granfluencers I surmise that what leads to their growing popularity is there ability to be real – to put themselves out to the world as they are – not as a formatted template. TikTok and Instagram are their main platform – perhaps because the eye contact created by the media invokes trust.
As I understand it, the way they climb from being just another boomer on social media to a granfluencer is to marry their social media message to a brand, so things they post become viral. Boomers are a large part of the market segment that branders are trying to reach, so the match is win-win.
According to an article on LinkedIn, one engaging element that granfluencers share is that they embrace positive aging. That’s resilience! And that is what motivated me to write this blog.
Granfluencers And Resilience: Walking Their Talk
After reading several articles, I can find several factors that make them stand out as models of human resilience. I am using an article from Linked-In on the traits of resilient people and applying it to granfluencers, as follows:
- They were open to new ideas when the internet came along – and they learned how to use it vs relying on younger people.
- They do not show fear of the unknow world of technology that is stereotypical for boomers- they feel that they are in control.
- They demonstrate good emotional control with their ability to be authentic on camera.
- They show healthy self-esteem to put themselves out there for the world to see.
- They bounce back – no one gets a zillion followers without making a lot of mistakes and learning from them.
- They see difficulties as opportunities – and many of their posts feature how they have overcome obstacles.
Granfluencer Wannabe
I’m one of those web-savvy boomers, but I wouldn’t call myself an online influencer . . . yet. I started doing web design in the 90s and was an online nursing faculty off and on for over 20 years. I’ve been an influencer – but not on social media. On ground, I changed the local environment for nurse-midwives and created several health programs by gaining followers one at a time. Is there a way to use my influence on this blog (as I did face-to-face) to build a new program at the intersection of nurse-midwifery and positive psychology?
My dream is to find that intersection and influence the wellbeing of healthcare workers and, in turn, their clients.
I sometimes think that younger folks won’t want to follow an retired nurse/nurse-midwife – but I have found new optimism and resilience in learning about granfluencers.
Who is you favorite granfluencer and why to you follow them?
Resilience - The Very Stuff Of Life 
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