Growing old gracefully or disgracefully

There used to be an organisation called Growing Old Disgracefully. I wonder if it still exists.

Gracefully? Disgracefully? I don't give a flying fig what anyone thinks, as long as I have the love of my family, food in my tummy (I'm too graceful to say the B word!!) and a roof over my head. I also work (teacher) so I'll never jeopardise that. I feel so fortunate with the life I'm living... and I guess being grateful is akin to grace. I may have answered the question here without realising! Lol.

Love your comment widgeon 3, it certainly put a smile on my face!

To me, being graceful or disgraceful is about behavior rather than physical appearance. To be graceful is to be strong, assured, considerate, kind, thankful and gentle. To be disgraceful would be to behave in a way that would be shameful on my character. I am consciously choosing to age gracefully.

Last week my OH was chatting to a very elderly couple for the first time. We had said hello to them some weeks before when they had anchored near to us when we were having lunch on the boat.
She apologised for not being more sociable on the previous occasion and explained she had retreated to the far side of their boat to skinny dip.
I am so looking forward to meeting her. ?

I think I am growing old confidently rather than disgracefully. Not that I consider myself old. I’m only in my seventies but apparently I shock people when they overcome their disbelief that I could be that ancient.

At 48 I already do some of those things outlined in that poem.... the only thing I will say is I definitely don't spit in the street ?

In this day and age of anything goes, I find the concept of disgraceful difficult. I just do my own thing however bizarre that may seem to others - and they tell me regularly - and carry on regardless as long as no one is hurt/harmed by anything I do. I'm just maturing gratefully.

I am 68, drive a lorry, dye my hair red, and as for clothes I love bright colours, I once told my daughter that if she ever catches me wearing beige she has my permission to shoot me ?

GrowingOldDisgracefully Brilliant photo. Here's one of me lining up for sparring at my karate class. Unfortunately, action shots are hard to come by. This was taken a year or so ago when I was 67 but it would still be relevant today if social distancing didn't prevent us from fighting:

As others have said, what actually would it entail for you personally? I think doing weird and wonderful things just because you’re ageing and not necessarily because you really want to, isn't a great way to behave. But I do think it’s a time when we often have the luxury of pleasing ourselves and being more expressive which I think is the way I’m going!

Think that over the years I have become too 'graceful' and have become more tactful, careful, conservative etc but definitely want to end my years by being 'disgraceful' - far more fun!

Wow Spangler what a good looking couple! I bet you were (and are) fun!

Maggiemaybe I love your post and laughed out loud at the "I am mad, me!" brigade comment as I share your aversion! Like you, I will continue to be me not an imposed, modified version - we all grow, every day.

Theoddbird I’m envious of you. I’m your age and id love to do the camper van escape, around UK then Europe but have to get all my ducks in a row first. What a lovely way of life.
I’m definitely growing old disgracefully I’m not planning on slowing down yet. Still go on the roller coasters, still dance till the early hours when I get the chance. Still sit up late at night on the beach with family watching stars. Went to music festival last year. Keeps you young that’s for sure.

Growing0ldDisgracefully

Come on Spangler, show us the Harley photo!

It's a photo that was taken almost twenty years ago when I was in my mid-fifties. Have to say, the bike has aged far better than me.

Well, I have always worn exactly what I liked, obeyed convention if it suited me and didn't if it didn't. (Don't expect Christmas cards or holiday postcards - you'll get an email if you are lucky.)

Coming up for 69, I am not going to change now.

to LancsLass1
Maybe she has decided she wants to be a professional footballer

Well ,all being well I will be 80 in October.
Because my hair is still boring "mouse" I have it highlighted.
I wear bootcut jeans in the winter and short skirts around the house in the summer -shorts when gardening- so my long legs are nice and sunburnt.
Make up?
Nothing unless I am going out somewhere and then.....
Always the stuff the you put on round your eyes to hide any shadows.
Very little light foundation(No7 do a great one) and palish coral lipstick

Re the Jenny Joseph poem.
I don't want to learn to spit.
I wonder why she does?

I’m 80, so I really am quite old. I’m the same person I always was - always been comfortable in my own skin and I feel no need to conform to any particular conventions of age. No need to do stupid things to prove I’m not old, either. I am old, and I’m not ashamed of it or particularly afraid of it.

I just wish age hadn’t affected my mobility. That’s my only real grumble.

Notsoold that is priceless!

Thank you Trendy Annie.

My growing old disgracefully moment was in a very snooty kitchen shop. On offer were kitchen timers of all colours, in a very nice basket. I set them all to go off at different times and carefully replaced them!

I didn't want to be 60 and I definitely didn't want to be 70 but there you are! I too am pleased when I'm told I don't look my age because I definitely don't feel it! My DGC tell me I don't dress like a granny, I take it as a compliment, same with my hair if I want it purple I will have it purple! Then like others at times I do say:" I am 70 don't forget!"

Great pic of you on your bike, growingold love it , good on yeh!

I don’t intend to be any different than I am now, I’m not suddenly going to do outlandish things because I’m getting older, I will not be having grey hair though, but that’s because it’s just not me, but I do like grey hair on others just not moi, I love loud music blasting out so that won’t be changing, I will just be an older version of me, doing what I want when I want