Every advert that encourages us to look young is confirming the same thing: we need to fear growing old. Days stretched out for what felt like weeks – weeks for what felt like years. I do have worries about growing old, like everyone, but I would have equal worries about not growing old. Rather than searching for a magical elixir of eternal life, we should understand – like Emily Dickinson did – that “forever is composed of nows”. How to Stop Time by Matt Haig is published by Canongate Books, priced at £12.99.

Source: The Guardian July 30, 2017 04:52 UTC