Wonder when you first noticed you were aging quickly

My friend and I went for a Pensioner’s Lunch last week. My friend was concerned we might be asked to prove our ages. We weren’t!

My widowed neighbour is 85 and has just found a new boyfriend. There’s hope for me yet !

lemsip

OLD

*17 FEB 2023*

So what!

71 now and now I know I look younger than I did in my 30s because in my 30s I smoked and that has such a detrimental effect on the skin
I’m also recovering alcoholic, but that’s been 30 years now.
My brother died 20 years ago at the age of 49 so I’m just happy that I’m still here to tell the tale,many did not have that privilege..

From 62 onwards I noticed started to look my age up until then I was always told didn't look my age didn't feel it either

I suppose it was when somebody first offered me a seat on the bus. I was probably late 60s.
I declined with thanks, and still nearly always do (not that it happens at all often) at 75. But then I’m hardly ever going very far - just a few stops, which I might well walk if it wasn’t a fairly steep uphill trudge, with shopping. (I do often walk down.)

Its my hands!!! Veins galore and papery skin. To my surprise my feet aren't too bad. Ageing hit me when I found myself with one leg shorter than the other and I've indulged in built up shoes to be more 'normal' but a curved spine doesn't help matters. I think my brain is still reasonably alive thankfully though I do forget things occasionally!!!!

It’s when they no longer look surprised when I flourish my Senior Railcard!
And (much as I appreciate the consideration) the extra kindness and patience some people show and the automatic seat on the Underground!

Early 70's now and just having to tell myself "Well at least I had a noticeable number of years where I was attractive". It's all "on the list" I've made out of everything wrong with my body - and nothing is Major - but there's a lot of smaller illnesses to sort out (my own and Long Covid) and I'm off for a consultation with a (private) doctor soon and will just hand them the list of ailments - written in order of priority and just have to work my way through getting rid of them and getting back to normal health.

There's nowt I can really do about the looks. I'm in the position of where when I look in the mirror it's my father I see looking back at me - rather than my mother. I sigh at that point - as my mother had the bone structure I don't have (cheekbones etc and reasonable size bust - rather than the tendency to matronly boobs my fathers side of the family has and looks that have gone full circle through plain to attractive and now back to plain again). Even in her late 80's one could look at my mother and think "She must have been pretty once". I then have to give myself a talking-to of "Which would you prefer to have inherited - your mothers looks (pretty) or your fathers brain (nearly Mensa) and, at that point I think "Well I got most of my fathers brain - if some points short of him. That was the better deal to take and, if the choice is between pretty and intelligent = it's best to pick intelligent if you can't have both".

I have the most expensive hairdresser in town - one who specialises in good cuts - and that's the best I can do I guess. Then I remind myself of the fact that it's just as well I'm not looking re boyfriends etc any longer at my age - and any time the thought crosses my mind I remember what various women in this town tell me as to what the relationships are often like here. Any woman trying to find a man in this town (even if she's in her 40's and I suspect even younger than that) seems to have to accept men who are "less than they are". Men expect to upgrade what women they can look at here - which obviously means women downgrading what they expect in return. Yep....there are a lot of women here who have men living with them in their homes they own (or perhaps have a secure tenancy on) - but I can't think of any women living with men in the mans home (ie the woman owns a home and the man doesn't often in this area).

Well, if you’re Old you’re still Alive😊

Proves that I am getting old..........I didn't notice that the OP is from Feb 23

I always looked young for my age - I had a very physically demanding FT job, exercised regularly and enjoyed good health both physically and mentally. Now retired and following some serious physical problems that have hugely affected my mental health I have started to show my age. But the health issue is manageable and I am determined to overcome everything that I throws at me.
My attitude has always been "there's always someone else worse off".
for all those worse off than me.

I've been noticing that I'm ageing slowly since about my fortieth year.

Actually, now I actually think about it, I've been noticing that I've been ageing since I was about ten. People who say they don't notice until they are "well aged" are in denial imo.

lemsip

OLD

*17 FEB 2023*

Yes, we know it’s ‘old’, but still quite relevant, surely?

I think people say someone looks younger in the hope of having it reciprocated.. better to just age gracefully and hopefully without too many physical problems.. being healthy is far more important to me than looks..

OLD

17 FEB 2023

I was in a nearby town shopping recently. DH was trying on a jumper. The assistant came over to see if we needed any help, and said “I think we’re related”. I said “ Oh, I don’t think so”, but when she said her name, turned out she was a half cousin who I hadn’t seen for about 40 years.

She said “Well, you obviously haven’t changed much as I recognised you and thought, I’m sure that’s Calendargirl”.

Felt quite chuffed.

😊

(When she said who she was, I realised that yes, I recognised her also. We had a nice chat).

I was 70 last autumn and I really feel it’s been downhill since then. I sleep a good 10 hours every night but still not ready to get up. I apparently snore now and talk in my sleep. For the first time in my life I nod off in the afternoon if I sit down.

I can no longer hang on to go to the loo, I have to go urgently.
I used to walk fast, now I seem to dilly dally. I have just about given up on my afternoon walks which I know is not good. I just can’t be bothered.

This year has made me feel really old and I don’t like it.

Nearly 80 and haven’t felt it yet of course there are differences but they seem to arrive gradually and just get fitted it to normal

When I could only do the gardening in 1 hour stints. I set myself specific jobs each day now and keep a diary of what needs doing. It makes me feel as if I am achieving something and the garden seems to like it.

I’m 73 and grateful every morning that I wake up. Had both cataracts removed. First operation went wrong as it was very complicated but has been corrected by a fabulous team and I decided to risk going ahead with the second operation and was scared stiff. So glad I managed to find the strength as it was a success. Now have 20/20 vision. No reading, distance or TV glasses required. Absolutely delighted after more eye tests than hot dinners. Can now see the crumbs in the kitchen and on the floor etc. Only downside is seeing the wrinkles I never knew I had. Having said that I can see all the glamorous TV lady celebs have enormous wrinkles in their 60’s. I’m working overtime on Estée Lauder night repair which does help. My stepdad encouraged me to wear anti wrinkle cream on my neck from age 18. I thought it was a bit early but took his advice. With my new supersonic eyesight thanks to the Consultants at the Western Eye Hospital I can see no wrinkles on my neck. Long may that last. Ladies, all that really matters is that we all wake up tomorrow and say hello.

GranEd

When I looked in the mirror and saw my mum looking at me!!

When I looked in mirror & saw my mums sister looking at me (in her 80s)

At around that age I noticed the texture of the skin on my arms changed, felt softer somehow. Now at 78 I would be glad to have just that change. All has gone south and in certain lights and mirrors my face and neck are quite turkey-like. I was told at the weekend that I looked nowhere near my age, but think she was just being kind. Anyway, there is nothing wrong with looking ones age, so it doesn't bother me at all.

I’m 71 today and after a busy summer I’m feeling my age. I have a lot of health problems, but I manage to keep them under control most of the time. I don’t know if it’s my attitude or my looks, but people are usually surprised when they discover my age. I’m ten years older than my handsome, super fit, slim husband, but people assume we’re the same age or that he’s older. I think that there’s often a visible, rapid change in the ten years from 70 to 80, so I expect to see more wrinkles and crepey skin appearing along with thinning hair.

I've aged considerably in the past year for some reason. Well, it might be because I'll be 83 this month I suppose - so I'm lucky to have felt good this long I suppose!
But I do remember as a 30-something mum of three children returning to my home town after a gap of four years or so living abroad and being shocked at how everyone had aged while I'd been away. And then it dawned on me, and I went home and had a good look in the mirror ........