Positives about getting older

Really used to enjoy sitting in the sunny garden with DH, having lunch and a glass of wine ?, and saying "This beats work, doesn't it?"

This says it all ....

What benefits are there to growing old when the mental says yes but the physical says no .

I am now ME. I spent my life pleasing other people....daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother. I am still all except daughter and wife but I am finally me....the person that has always been inside me wanting to show itself to the world. This is a truly positive thing about being older for me. Oh and I have hairless legs....

Oh Hellsbelles! I make you 58!!! I was still working at your age - going dancing - travelling! My eldest daughter is your age and with her husband has just started a dog- breeding business! I enjoy my children and their children - life is for living however old we are - and the greatest gift is good health - and then there are loads of positives - it’s all in the mind!

I took Early Retirement at 50 to care for DH after he retired at aged 65, 7 happy years before I was widowed at 57. Now 63, waiting just over 2 years for State Pension & Bus Pass. Still driving (DVLA restrict my licence to 1 year pain in the @rse ), enjoying my freedom to go where I want, when I want.

Eating what I want, when I want. Watching tv all day if I wish. Reading for hours after I've gone to bed knowing I don't have to get up for work. No alarm clock, wake up naturally although 6.30 today & yesterday is a bit much Enjoying reading the paper/doing crosswords/sudoku without feeling guilty.

Down side is a few health & mobility problems which restricts some social activities. Being able to pick & choose whether I join friends for coffee/Lunch/Afternoon Tea. On the whole life's good. Not forgetting GSs

I've always been plain, plump and overlooked, but now that I've turned 70, I've had my knee replaced, lost a couple of stone, and keep my hair coloured. Why have so many other women just given up on their appearance? I don't have much competition. With a little makeup and lots of self-confidence, I've really learned how to make an entrance. Sex not being much of an issue now, I'm having so much fun!

Really? There are many positives. A few negatives, yes. Can’t understand some people’s attitudes to only look at the negatives. Must be a miserable life for you

Letting my hair go grey so money spent colouring it can be used for something else. Fortunately it is now quite fashionable.

Rufus, where have you been ??

My brother and I were commiserating yesterday about being old. I’m pushing 80, he nearly 83. We both have a lot of health problems, and neither of us can get about normally.

Compensations for me are my sons, having no real responsibilities, and my grandchildren. They don't live near, but I can admire them from afar and see them occasionally. I am, thank heavens, not responsible for them. I always felt I was very happy to bring up children once, but had absolutely no wish to do it twice.

Feeling comfortable in my own skin. Not doing anything I don't want to, socially. Getting together with friends at lunchtime. Being able to say no. Not caring half as much as I used to, about what people think. Oh and my lovely grey hair which is currently emerging after half a century of being blonde !

JulieMM lovely post. Sounds great.

Freedom!!! I have always ran my own business and the day I sold it and locked the doors for the last time. I whooped!!!
Every day is whatever I want it to be, I can book a flight and "take-off" if I want, or as I've been doing recently, sitting on a lounger, under my umbrella, reading in the afternoons. A delicious feeling when everyone else is hard at work.
Also, one of the best things about being older is Grandchildren, I've had the pleasure of looking after all mine while daughter went back to work part-time. As the jokey saying goes, "Grandchildren are so great, if I'd known, I would have had them first".

The security of a regular income, even if it is just the state pension. No more worries about redundancy or unemployment. Just a sum of money, or two paid into the bank account every month.

One benefit is being able to join the U3A and with that being able to learn lots of new things and meet loads of new people many of whom have become firm friends. Getting meal deals as an older person and cheaper tickets and admissions. Getting cheaper National Trust membership. Having time to step in and look after grandkids if there is an emergency. So many positives, which nearly always overcome the negatives.

I'm only speaking for myself here as we all have different circumstances. My positives are - my lovely granddaughter, free bus and local train travel, free prescriptions, not having to go to work, better finances. Of course there are downsides. I'm with Moocow. Please can I have my hair back?

No bus pass, pension for me until I’m 67 and a bit too Hellsbells ( only 10 more years to go ) that’s unless they move the goalposts again.

I think health is the most important closely followed by being comfortably off and able to afford to enjoy life.

Since we retired almost 5 years ago I still love not having to set an alarm clock and just sleep until I’ve had enough. Bliss!

As a WASPI woman I’m due my state pension next summer at the age of 66y so I’m looking forward to that boost in income. I shall celebrate with family and friends in some way!

It’s great being retired. I don’t miss work one bit.

I’m very fortunate I know, that so far we both enjoy good health. Without that, life wouldn’t be so easy I’m sure.

I like the easy going social life - doing things if we want to, or not - with family - or friends - or not.

Life is sweet.

Well I celebrated my birthday yesterday exactly how I wanted to! I’d seen my children and smaller grandchildren the day before so this was my birthday: I had a long lie-in, my husband brought porridge and coffee plus birthday cards etc. back up to bed. Older granddaughter called in (because she wanted to!) then I watched an old Bette Davis film in the afternoon. Showered then enjoyed a perfectly cooked steak with a small glass of wine. I did nothing but was spoilt rotten ... exactly what I wanted except the cleaner didn’t turn up to spring clean the house - I wish!

Every age and stage has its pros and cons. I can honestly say that I never waste anytime reflecting on this but just get on with where I am because that’s where I am. All that really matters to me fundamentally are the relationships in my life - loving and being loved in return by family and friends.

I'm very aggrieved I won't get my bus pass until I'm 67, another 9 years to go !

Wisdom? Perspective? Life's knocked us about a bit and that can hopefully give us the experience and confidence to cope with the inevitable trials and tribulations which continue.

Can't get pregnant, don't get acne, can just put on a purple hat and go out. Knowing your own body and worth. Laughing at yourself. Not worrying about what other people say. Not trying to fit in - the list is endless. I love being older but refuse to grow up!

Must say that so far I am enjoying being older for many of the reasons cited on here already. Surely so long as we have health and a degree of financial comfort that enables us to do much as we please, life's rather grand.

Fingers crossed, and hoping I haven't suddenly jinxed any of that... cheers!