A Glimpse into a 94-Year-Old Grandma's Fulfilling Solitary Life

E.K. Hsieh 謝刈剴
6月27日
讀畢需時 5 分鐘

94歲阿嬤的暢快獨居生活

In an age where the perception of old age often conjures images of frailty and loneliness, a remarkable book from Japan, titled 94-Year-Old Grandma's Specialty is Selfies: My Enjoyable Solitary Life, offers a refreshing counter-narrative. This compelling work challenges preconceived notions about aging and solitary living, presenting a vibrant and independent perspective.

在一個普遍將高齡與衰弱、孤獨劃上等號的時代，日本一本名為《94歲阿嬤的專長是自拍：我的暢快獨居生活》的書，提供了一個令人耳目一新的觀點。這本引人入勝的著作挑戰了對年齡增長和獨居生活的既定看法，呈現出一個充滿活力、獨立自主的視角。

Meet the Author: Kimiko Nishimoto

認識作者：西本喜美子

The heart of this inspiring book lies with its incredible author, Kimiko Nishimoto (西本喜美子). Born in 1928, Nishimoto didn't pick up a camera until she was 72. What started as a hobby quickly blossomed into a unique artistic expression. Known for her whimsical and often humorous self-portraits, Nishimoto's work defies the typical seriousness often associated with fine art photography. Her playful approach, often incorporating unexpected props and scenarios, has garnered international attention and earned her a reputation as a delightful and unconventional artist. This book, her first, serves as both a retrospective of her photographic journey and a personal testament to her philosophy on life.

這本激勵人心的書的核心人物，是令人驚嘆的作者——西本喜美子（Kimiko Nishimoto）。西本喜美子出生於1928年，直到72歲才開始接觸攝影。這個興趣很快就發展成一種獨特的藝術表達方式。她以其異想天開、充滿幽默感的自拍作品而聞名，西本喜美子的作品打破了傳統藝術攝影的嚴肅性。她玩味十足的攝影手法，經常融入意想不到的道具和情境，贏得了國際關注，並為她贏得了活潑、非傳統藝術家的美譽。這本書是她的第一本著作，既是對她攝影歷程的回顧，也是她人生哲學的個人證明。

Beyond the Lens: Discussing Solitary Living

鏡頭之外：探討獨居老人的議題

While Nishimoto's quirky selfies are undoubtedly a highlight, the book delves deeper into the often-misunderstood topic of solitary living among the elderly. In many societies, the idea of an older person living alone can evoke concern, often associated with feelings of isolation and a decline in overall well-being. However, Nishimoto's narrative presents a starkly different picture. She embodies a life of self-sufficiency, engagement, and genuine contentment. The book prompts readers to reconsider what it means to age gracefully and independently. It highlights several key areas for discussion:

儘管西本喜美子古靈精怪的自拍照無疑是本書的亮點，但本書更深入探討了獨居老人這個常被誤解的議題。在許多社會中，老年人獨居的想法可能會引起擔憂，常與孤立和健康狀況下降聯繫在一起。然而，西本喜美子的敘事卻呈現出截然不同的畫面。她體現了一種自給自足、積極參與、真心滿足的生活。這本書促使讀者重新思考優雅老去和獨立生活代表著什麼。它突出了幾個重要的討論領域：

Autonomy and Freedom: Nishimoto's story highlights the importance of maintaining personal autonomy and the freedom to pursue one's passions, regardless of age or living arrangements. Her ability to independently manage her daily life and pursue her creative interests is a powerful testament.

自主與自由： 西本喜美子的故事強調了維持個人自主權以及無論年齡或居住安排如何，都能追求熱情的重要性。她獨立管理日常生活和創作活動的能力是一個有力的聲明。

Active Engagement: Far from being withdrawn, Nishimoto actively engages with the world around her, primarily through her photography. This highlights the significance of hobbies, social connections (even those in digital form), and a sense of purpose in later life.

積極參與： 西本喜美子遠非退縮，而是主要透過攝影積極與周圍的世界互動。這表明了嗜好、社交連結（即使是數位形式）以及晚年生活中的目標感的重要性。

Challenging Stereotypes: The very existence of this book, authored by a nonagenarian who thrives on self-portraits, directly challenges ageist stereotypes that often portray the elderly as passive or incapable.
挑戰刻板印象： 這本書的存在本身，由一位九十多歲、熱衷於自拍的作者撰寫，直接挑戰了常將老年人描繪成被動或無能的年齡歧視刻板印象。

Breaking Through Conventional Thinking

突破傳統思維

94-Year-Old Grandma's Specialty is Selfies encourages a significant paradigm shift in how we view aging and solitary living. Instead of pitying those who live alone in their later years, the book encourages us to recognize the potential for a vibrant and fulfilling existence.

Here are some key takeaways for breaking through conventional thinking:

《94歲阿嬤的專長是自拍》鼓勵人們對衰老和獨居生活進行重大的典範轉移。這本書非但沒有同情那些晚年獨居的人，反而鼓勵我們認識到活出充滿活力和充實生活的潛力。

以下是突破傳統思維的一些關鍵要點：

Focus on Strengths, Not Deficits: Rather than focusing on what older adults might "lose" as they age, we should celebrate their wisdom, resilience, and unique capabilities. Nishimoto's journey exemplifies this by showcasing her newfound artistic talent.

專注於優勢，而非劣勢： 我們不應專注於老年人隨著年齡增長可能「失去」的東西，而應慶祝他們的智慧、韌性和獨特能力。西本喜美子的旅程透過展示她新發現的藝術才能，印證了這一點。

Embrace Technology: Nishimoto's mastery of self-portraits, a form of photography heavily reliant on technology, demonstrates how embracing new tools can enhance the lives of older individuals and keep them connected and engaged.

擁抱科技： 西本喜美子對自拍的精通，一種高度依賴科技的攝影形式，展示了擁抱新工具如何能改善老年人的生活，讓他們保持聯繫和參與。

Redefine "Successful Aging": Success in old age shouldn't solely be defined by living in multi-generational households or being constantly cared for. It can also mean leading an independent, purposeful, and joyful life, as Nishimoto clearly does.

重新定義「成功老化」： 老年時的成功不應僅僅定義為生活在多代同堂的家庭或不斷被照顧。它也可以意味著過著獨立、有目的、快樂的生活，正如西本喜美子所清楚展現的那樣。

Cultivate a Positive Mindset: Nishimoto's humor and zest for life are palpable throughout the book. This highlights the profound impact of a positive outlook on overall well-being and the ability to navigate life's challenges.

培養積極心態： 西本喜美子的幽默感和對生活的熱情在整本書中顯而易見。這突顯了積極的人生觀對整體幸福感以及應對生活挑戰的深遠影響。

In conclusion, 94-Year-Old Grandma's Specialty is Selfies: My Enjoyable Solitary Life is more than just a charming collection of photographs; it's a profound declaration of independence, creativity, and resilience. Kimiko Nishimoto's story serves as a powerful reminder that age is just a number, and a fulfilling life can be cultivated at any stage, even when living alone. It prompts us to rethink our assumptions about aging and embrace the potential for joy and purpose in every chapter of life.

總之，《94歲阿嬤的專長是自拍：我的暢快獨居生活》不僅僅是一本迷人的攝影集；它更是獨立、創造力和韌性的深刻宣言。西本喜美子的故事有力地提醒我們，年齡只是一個數字，在人生的任何階段，即使是獨居，也能培養出充實的生活。它促使我們重新思考對衰老的假設，並擁抱人生每個篇章中的喜悅和目的的潛力。