How old are you?

It's the approaching 70 syndrome. i really got my knickers in a twist about it and had to have counselling to get through it. Once I'd had 'the' birthday and am now 75 I'm feeling more sanguine, just enjoying life day by day while I still have my health. I've just had the conversation with my partner about 'do not resuscitate'. It's important to get those 'putting your house in order' things out of the way. And don't forget to tell the one's you love that you do love them, while you still have a
chance.

I am 70 and like most of you feel that time flies past so fast now, and that at best there are only 20 or so years left.

Now and again, the thought of loosing DH crosses my mind, and I push it away from me, as thankfully, as yet, neither of us is ill. The thought that he might have to live through my death, rather than I having to loose him frightens me far more.

I know he would find it unbearable, and I doubt I would be able to prepare him in any helpful way. However, what is to be, will be and it does no good to worry unnecessarily.

That said, I have made my will and left a list, that I update when necessary regarding financial matters etc, so whoever has to deal with the aftermath of my or our deaths isn't left totally in the lurch.

I am determined to enjoy life as fully and as long as possible. I know we all have to die one day, and I hope and pray that getting to that point will not be a long, painful experience.

I think I'm in my 90's at least, despite my birth certificate saying I'm 60. My body feels ancient, and my mind is tired, I would welcome death as a peaceful ending.

Nannina

68 and waiting for a hip replacement. I was talking about this to my neighbour (75 and male) and saying I’ve put risers on my sofa so I can get up and down easier and will accept other aids to help me stay independent. He admitted he needs things but won’t have them because they make him look old. Two totally different views- I accept I am getting older, he’s fighting it, both doing what suits us

Both my husband and I have hearing aids. I welcome mine as I need to be able to hear for my work. I have had problems with my ears most of my life. If I have my hair back it is probably noticeable but I am not worried about it. My husband is much more reluctant to wear his, which is actually much smaller and less noticeable than mine, because he thinks it ages him and that people will see he has a disability. I pointed out that it is no more noticeable than glasses and asked him what he would do if lost any more teeth. He replied that he would replace them. To my mind, false teeth are far more ageing than hearing aids. He is reluctantly wearing it, particularly after we told him that continually asking people to repeat themselves made his hearing loss far more obvious than a hearing aid. I think men can be vainer than women.

LaCrepescule, you are still a spring chicken. Enjoy each day as it comes and don’t dwell on the future. None of us knows what’s round the corner. I am 76 and until last year I was fit and active, working as a volunteer and so I was told, looking very young for my age, then my hip started playing up resulting in a hip replacement in January this year, followed four weeks later by a heart attack.However, I am determined to get fit again and enjoy time with my dh and darling granddaughter. Who knows I might beat the Queen and you’ll have a long way to go LaCrepescule.

68 and waiting for a hip replacement. I was talking about this to my neighbour (75 and male) and saying I’ve put risers on my sofa so I can get up and down easier and will accept other aids to help me stay independent. He admitted he needs things but won’t have them because they make him look old. Two totally different views- I accept I am getting older, he’s fighting it, both doing what suits us

25 in my head, 68 in real life

We’re a wide range of ages, aren’t we? I’m 57 and my husband is nearly 64. We have only one parent between us - my mother, who was 80 recently. I think the last two years have really played havoc with many of us. I am generally healthy and love my work as a self-employed piano, violin and viola teacher and accompanist. My youngest pupil is 6 1/2 and I have several retired pupils. I have heard a young pupil talk about something l have mentioned as “in the olden days,” which amuses me.
I recently had a kidney infection, which the doctor warned me could have had me in hospital and I had Covid last week, which has left me exhausted very easily, but this will soon pass.

My daughter died aged 28. She spent the last 8 months of her life, after her diagnosis, making special memories with me and her two sisters. She was amazing and brave and her only worry was how we would all cope without her. That was 9 years ago. Since that terrible time we have all got married (even me!) and I now have 4 adorable grandchildren. Each day is precious and we all live life to the full. My daughter always said that growing old was a privilege ?

Mid sixties chronic health conditions ! My mindset is take each day as it comes, I’m not going to be worrying about how much time I’ve got left, pointless! I’m not afraid of dying at all, it’s the people you leave behind! I’m very positive person and live my life as best I can, the way you think can affect your body and mind! Luckily I don’t suffer from health anxiety so I’m lucky in that way!

Happy birthday Grandmagrewit! Please treat yourself, you deserve it. And to your mother, Twig14. It is definitely something to be celebrated. ????

I have listened to a lovely series of programmes on the BBC world service called Words of Wisdom which look at issues like this - very comforting.

I'm 80 this year and even writing that number doesn't seem like me, until I look in the mirror!! In the 2 years I have lost quite a few friends including my brother and last week one of my dearest friends. At my age I can only expect that to happen. I don't worry about dying but would love to see my GCs growing up as I was an older GM. I was 68 when my first GD was born and she is 12 this year. Have organised most things so that my DD and DS will not have too
many things to be bothered with, hopefully. Try not to be overly concerned as age comes to us all but perhaps you should seek some medical/therapy advice if it is having such a worrying time for you.

I am 65 and this is a very interesting post. I also worry at night time about getting old and being able to manage and glad I am not the only one who thinks this. Breast cancer survivor but do worry at times about if coming back.
Am currently very healthy and cycle and go fell walking and do lots on the garden and have lots of hobbies and interests.
Appreciate what I have and the country I live in and grateful for so much.

I'm 70 tomorrow but don't have any celebrations planned. Why would I want to celebrate being in another decade and both my DH and DS wouldn't have a clue what to organise anyway! Like others here I'm quite resentful that Covid has robbed us of remaining "good" years and I certainly feel I've aged a lot since 2020. Members of my family have not traditionally made "old bones" - my mother was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's at 59 and died at 70 - so I do seem to spend rather too much time thinking about what's left and whether I should be making a better effort to do more with my life. Having a younger husband who is still working and not being able to drive to anywhere myself doesn't help the situation but my mother's simple answer to any moaning in my youth was "There's always someone worse off than you" ... and she was definitely right.

I am 66, and so, so grateful to have finally (!!!) reached State Pension age and not have to work any more. (Teacher!)
I reckon 86 is my top target, so that leaves 20 years. My that doesn't sound long at all! My husband died in 2020, so I am alone now. I just take each day as a gift and try not to look too far ahead. After all, we could be wiped off the face of the Earth any day by a giant asteroid or Putin's crazy finger on the nuclear button. Eat cake in moderation, lift a glass each day, grow plants and listen to the birdies sing.

I am 74 and live in the moment, am very well and fit for my age, no medications, cycle up hills and can run up stairs. We all get a return ticket when we are born, death does not scare me. I am aware of aging in that I have made sure that my affairs are sorted and I have a small case of files called dying tidy. I do my bit wrt eating a good assortment of veg on my `almost veggie` way of life. I have many engrossing hobbles, never wallow in being alone, no point

I’m 66 fairly fit and active, yes my kids would say I’m getting old but I don’t feel it. Age I feel is a number either embrace it and become old quickly or do as I do and not worry and just keep as fit and active as possible. Once you stop you’ll cease up! I’ve too much on my bucket list to complete to give up on life.

71……I was dead billion years before I was born ….so I’m not afraid of being ‘dead’. But I am afraid of losing my faculties….or dying in distress and/or pain, as my husband is now . I’ve made arrangements with myself , if/when that starts to happen. I will not inflict that on my family as I know from personal experience how that erodes everything.

50 soon and wondering what will become of me. No mortgage, renting with partner who is 60. What will become of us when we are too old to work? Divorces on both sides have taken everything. Just feel like giving up.

Yes, LaCrepese I will be 62 soon, and have these thoughts too. We don't tend to think about this much when we're young, do we? Reality for me hit home when a neighbour died suddenly in his 40's, then my friend's husband died suddenly too also in his 40's. Then my mum died (88) and it just hit home that we just don't know how long any of us has. My husband and I have been carers for nearly 20 years for our son whom we love dearly and who has severe learning difficulties. We managed to get him into sharing a house with housemates with the support of a care agency, and our lives have since changed dramatically. We've discovered dance classes, which we never ever would've had the time or energy for when we were caring. We've booked many dancing weekends all through this year and also 2023. We just hope to God we stay in good health for it now we're swanning off having a good time!

I'm 67 today spending it with my husband whose nearly 77 in a hospice with a limited time left. He was fit and healthy until last summer....

I am 66 and a great grandmother, I am mostly ok, just wonky knees and shoulders from many years working in packing sheds. i dont think about the future, nothing I can do about it so why worry, I just concentrate on enjoying the now

I'm 71 and always felt fit and healthy full of energy but the last 3 months tiredness has hit me like a brick .I ache all over I'm constantly tired very bad tempered. Help

I'm 70 and have thought occasionally about dying. I suddenly thought a few weeks ago that it meant I would never know how my DS would pass away or what sort of life my DGD would have and that really hit me for six. Never occurred to me before.