Is 75 young or old?

When I look back at my parents in law's golden wedding anniversary and they were sooo much older looking than we are now and it is ours in about 6 weeks.

Pleasantly mature is how I'd describe it. I'm well past that and do much of my own decorating. Finished creosoting the shed yesterday. Garage next. Hope I will have the good grace to accept help when I need it. Mind you, my children are willing but they lead such busy lives that I don't know they could. Think I would seek independent help to save them this extra pressure. Onwards........

My mother is 100 years old. Walked yesterday on path around a lake with my sisters assistance. She had a mastectomy 5 years ago never complained. Excellent playing dominoes beats us all the time. Has a great sense of humour and says age is just a number and loves life along with the occasional cocktail and still enjoys buying nice clothes.

I would like to add that mixing a lot with younger people helps a lot. I have just had a really good laugh and a chat with my daughter, and a bunch of her friends for several hours. The 30+ years difference just didn’t show at all.

My daughter laughed at me when I said that there was no way that I would join the local Pensioners’ club because it’s full of old people. I’m 81, and don’t feel at all old. Pre-Covid I was a member of two choirs, which I hope will soon re-start. I walk at least 2 miles a day, and often much more (I DO have a Fitbit) I join in lots of U3A activities, and enjoy reading and watching documentaries.
I live alone, and do all my own housework, cooking and gardening. I had a new hip last year, which has been very successful. I have no medical conditions and take no medication, except a few vitamin supplements, and rarely see my doctor. I fly to Australia alone, most years, to visit my family there.
I suppose that I will start to feel old when my quality of life starts to fall, or I get health problems, but at the moment I feel fine. My daughter calls me the Pocket Rocket!

75 old, no way! I am still riding my horse together with all the yard work that goes with it, biking 3 miles there and back to the yard as my eyesight has never allowed me to drive. Walk my dog, accompany my daughter and granddaughter on cross country course walks when they are competing, no way is 75 old.

Luckily we are not all born with the longevity gene or the country really would be overrun!! I am one if the lucky mid 80s who still mows the lawn and strims all the long grass areas. I live alone since losing my DH so do everything. I dread the day when I may become 'old'!!

I'm 68, but the same thing applies really. You are old at 68 or 75 if you have become narrow minded, or if you are in ill health, although many people do manage to keep a happy outlook even if they are ill.

I try to keep abreast of new ideas and not allow myself or DH just to sit watching TV all day.

I know that if serious illness or a handicap is in my future, I will be cross with myself for wasting time now, while I still can do things.

Bijou Congratulations - I wish you many more years of health and Guiness. I remember receiving a birthday card a few years back (I'm now 85) saying "You've still got it - trouble is nobody wants it! Found it both funny and true!

I am 74 years old and my fitbit is my saviour. I sign up each year for the “Walk 1000 miles a year challenge”. Last year I walked 1600 miles, and when I took my car for its MOT I had only driven 1400 miles !!
My motto is dont act your age, act your shoe size. In my case I act like a 5 year old. Life is for living.

"deprecatingly". Damn auto correct.

I was re-reading the wonderful "Diary of a Provincial Lady" recently. My favourite character, apart from the main one, is old Mrs Blenkinsop who is master of what is known today as humblebragging:

"People say, she adds deprecating, that just her Smile does them good. She does not know, she says, what they mean. (Neither do I.)"

However, I was disconcerted to realise that old Mrs Blenkinsop - invariably referred to as "old" - was 66, ie a year younger than me. That was written in 1930. It could just be comic effect, I suppose, but it is never suggested that she isn't genuinely old. I wonder if old age was reckoned to begin earlier then. My mother said that her grandmother always dressed in black from head to toe and seemed ancient, even when she could only have been in her 60s.

Particularly sorry auto change

No I don’t think 75 is articulately old especially if you are well. I am 67 so not there yet

I work 2 days a week and walk as much as possible. I do everything I could do when younger and hope to continue to do so for ages yet. Use it or lose it though. Some people in their 50’s are old just because of their attitude

Bijou....I want to be like you!
There’s so much living to be done yet, and I’m only in my sixties currently do my decorating. I’m painting my stair case well the hand rails and spindles and hallway at least.
Also plan on doing what I can for as long as I can. Hats off to you ?

Whether 75 is old for someone I think depends a lot on that person's physical and mental health, life experiences and family situation, or their degree of isolation from society and/or people who care.

Luckily for me I am 71 and feel just fine. I don't feel old at all, am fit and healthy apart from niggles [arthritis in hand/insomnia]. Inside I feel in my 30's. I am active, do lots of gardening, walking, DIY, all my own cooking, reading and feel very happy seeing sons, grandchildren and a great friend regularly. And I do look after myself.

I feel for those who don't feel so good and feel old at my age. A lot of it can be attitude of mind but a lot is down to luck and we know how random life is. I enjoy every day knowing that for many it changes in a minute.
Bijou ...much respect to you.

I'm 76 so of course it's young! ?

Greetings Bijou.

I would say today in your sixties you are in late middle age. In your seventies you are in early old age. In your eighties you are in middle old age. Ninety and above you are in late old age.

That's great Bijou you are clearly doing something right! Cheers! ?

I am 76 and definitely don’t feel old. I had a very successful knee replacement a couple of years ago.

I had given up sewing some years ago when my husband was ill but I was asked to make masks, which I have done, and that rekindled my interest so, sewing machine now busy. I am busy turning a spare bedroom into a designated sewing room and can’t wait for my daughter and partner to come at the weekend to build the IKEA unit that is sitting in its boxes in the hall.

We had a relative who volunteered in various retirement homes as she felt sorry for the 'old dears'. She continued till she was about 90 and didn't ever stop to think she was in fact considerably older than some of the residents.

75 is older...not old

Bijou I know someone older than you and I reckon that it's Guinness that keeps him going!

That's brilliant Bijou keep on with the Guinness its clearly doing you good. I hope you have many more happy years with us here on GN.

I think its all relative too, I move the goal posts every year so of course 74 is not old !! I still can't believe all those years and experiences have passed but good and bad that was my life.