Do you feel old?

I think it’s my point Baggd (can’t figure out how to put names in bold lol). I HAVEN’T forgotten what it’s like to be 20’s and immortal except I am 65 and still think I am immortal! I don’t feel any different mentally to what I felt in my twenties. Sometimes I think I actually had more sense then than now! You know becoming a wife and parent. Now I sometimes feel I should “act my age” but what is that? In my head I’ve never actually grown up I don’t think ?

Oh but I was outraged (!) as I was very much on my dignity going for my first grown up job!

For instance, people might say Kate and Meghan look sophisticated. To me they just look like what I'd expect thirty-odd year old women to look like.

I was never outraged at being thought younger than I was. That's something else I don't understand.

Not sure I've ever looked sophisticated, nor wanted to. I'm not even sure what it means where looks are concerned.

Good point Baggs .but I wonder at what age we stopped trying to look older (and sophisticated ? ordering a G&T in a bar) and started trying to be taken for younger?
I remember being outraged when I was offered a half fare on the bus taking me to my first teaching interview!
Chance would be a fine thing these days.
But perhaps there are “young genes” somewhere in the family as DDs2 and 3 were both asked to produce ID buying wine in their late twenties/early thirties.

I first began to feel old when my hubby and I were visiting a small museum and realised that a lot of things in it were things we had used over the years! And then sometimes when I am talking to my 15 year old grand daughter and she asks things like 'what is a hankie'? She has only ever used paper tissues, or if I say something like 'that's a nice frock', she is 'frock, what is a frock?, do you mean a dress'! One of my other grand daughters said I had become old, because I had started knitting and joined a local knitting group. But, I only begin to feel as though I am getting older when my body lets me down, although that is more to do with my illnesses than being old. Am still up for a few more challenges yet though!

Why do most people not want to feel old? Why do most people think old is always something negative? What about wisdom? knowing oneself? the confidence one realises one has during one's thirties and forties that one didn't have earlier?

I don't feel decrepit mentally or physically but I certainly feel older and physically less energetic than I did in previous decades. I reckon people who say they don't, that they still feel twenty-one or whatever, have maybe forgotten what it's like to be twenty and immortal.

Hahahaha Greengran. Good on you ?

Although my face is beginning to look its age (78) the rest of me is doing very nicely, thank you. I am lucky enough to have no health problems, am pretty active, and rarely catch colds.
In my head I am still young, mainly through mixing socially with lots of younger people. I made one laugh recently, when I mentioned the 'old biddies' in the local pensioners' club - many of whom are much younger than me, but act much older.
The only thing that makes me think of my own mortality is the number of funerals I sing at, with my church choir. Many of the deceased are around my age, or even a lot younger. That gives me pause for thought!
My plan is to drop dead of a heart attack, when in my 90's, while being chased down the road by a jealous wife!

I remember my darling Mum saying on her 95th birthday "on the outside I may look 95 but in my mind I am still 21" Bless her.

I am 74 and usually feel quite young. But the flight to Miami made me feel 94 and past it. It's not the flight but all the trekking through the airports that makes me feel I am too old to travel. When I travel on my own I am fine but DH keeps on at me to hurry up so much that I start planning to divorce him in my head. He isnt a calm traveller at all. He is 4 years younger .

Some great answers and glad to see so much positivity. Yes health does play a major part but so does a positive mind. One of my school friends is physically very disabled now and cannot get about at all except on a mobility scooter yet we have so much fun together, we laugh a lot. Another is very fit and active but moans constantly about being “old” and tells herself (and us) “I am too old for that”!!! . I never feel I am too old! I still like going out with much younger work friends. They always seem to enjoy my company and I never feel like the ‘mom’ when am with them. Not sure I would be up for an 18-30’s type holiday but then again.... I never was ??

Sorry should read Tessa101

Thank you Tessa 111.

I went recently to my grandsons 21st birthday party, lots of friends and family, including all the grandparents. By 10pm all the other grandparents had left, and I realised to my horror that I was the oldest person there (other grannies are about 10 years older than me). My lovely grandson asked why I looked so concerned, and when I told him he said - but you’re the cool grandma! I was so chuffed, I forgot my upset.

I'm 65 and mentally feel 30 years younger. However my bones ache quite a bit now. Recently in Tenerife I got on a bus and a younger woman jumped up and gave me her seat. I wanted to say "I'm not old enough to deserve your seat" but didn't want to make a fuss.

Stop making 'old noises'- the grunts and groans when sitting or getting out of a seat. It might be hard work moving, but just do it quietly- it's a real old age giveaway.

Do you think some people are just 'born old'. And some embrace the idea of growing old as an excuse to not make much effort?

We arebothveryactive,my husband at 70 is Adell runner, better on the knees he is told and we both cycle. We also camp in a tent and I must say sleep like a log flat on the ground. The only concession I now make is keeping something near the entrance to pull myself upright. Also we tend to have friends many years younger than us through our activities and life styles and this does keep you thinking young. In fact the Christmas before last we were invited to join a group 20/30 year old celebrate by joiningn them in the 12 bars of Christmas starting at 9, a time when we are usually drinking our holicks and thinking of bedbut it was great to be asked

No you are not old at 65. I am much older than that and it all comes down to health and attitude to life. It's much easier to feel young and happy if your health is good. I would hate it if I couldn't do my gardening and walk with my walking group. Advice from an "elderly multiple" as I was called when having my last baby: take care of yourself.

DH and I are currently struggling to recognise ourselves in the photographs we have taken for passport applications. It does not help that you are not allowed to smile.

I'm married to a man seven years older than me - he also thinks older than I do and acts older too - sometimes I have to remember to let my inner child out and have fun! Yes aches and pains and tiredness are a nuisance of getting older but I'm doing my best to stay young at heart ❤️

I’m almost seventy and I’ve had severe arthritis since my thirties so I don’t associate that with age. Unfortunately last Autumn I started having colds and sore throats which I’ve never been troubled with before, and have just gone down with another bout of laryngitis. These comparatively mild illnesses have made me feel about 300 yrs old

Why not invest in one of those mobility scooters, Kittycat? They look like great fun and if you've got small gc you'd be very popular!

Today I met an 86 year old widow, in a neighbouring village, who started up a conversation with me as we walked down the street together, and she was a shining example of 'how to be old'......Interesting and interested. Realistic but optimistic. Loved and loving.

But.....I think that a lot of it comes down to genes and personality. I am 55, and I definitely feel old. It's not about looks, or health......it's knowing that there is more time behind me than ahead of me, and that the possibilities that come with 'youth' are no longer available to me. Which, in turn, means reflecting on all the missed, or mistaken, opportunities of the past!
My Dad died at 96, and was hugely proud of reaching that age.
My Mum died at 53, and was glad to go, I think.
If I take an average, I guess I've a few more years of depressing reflection ( in all senses!) to go......!!

I do not have any personal sense of age, so I do not feel 75, my age, or 65 or 30 or 20. I am the person I have always been.

My body is aging and my much vaunted stamina is going fast and I now have to pace myself, as I get tired quickly, especially when doing things physical activities like heavy gardening. I also feel the cold much more.