Sudden ageing

The lockdown and everything that went with it has a lot to answer for.

Yes I do think that I have suddenly started to look older - but maybe I have done for a long time but have only just really noticed. Hey-ho - that's life.

I agree with Lulu, the Lockdown has aged me terribly. My health has went even further downhill than before. However, it had to be done but I feel my life is smaller now somehow. Mentally and physically we have all suffered the consequences of this Pandemic. Not forgetting the poor folks who died, or who have lost someone dear.

Absolutely. I felt that at age 70,71, I felt and looked the way I always had. Still getting my hair coloured and highlighted, keeping up with fashion, then I got arthritis, pain is a hard taskmaster. But you have to keep going forward, so 72, 73, was different, not in how I looked I felt, but the pain. Then came the lockdown, Now at age 75 still getting my hair coloured etc, etc, But my face seems to have aged, lines and cracks where a year previous there wasn’t. I wear foundation and eyemake up, but am conscious of this. So yes, Luluaugust, I agree with you

Being tired really makes me look older, also I can't get away with drinking alcohol now without it really showing on my face.

I think I definitely look older in winter, come spring I seem to perk up some how.

Cancer aged me. Immediately afterwards, I looked OK. But 2 years later I looked a good 10 years older.

I remember my mother, she always looked young, then suddenly age caught up with her. I think it’s something that just happens!

I agree - I seem to have aged during lockdown -- seriously ?

There are some aspects of ageing that we probably can't do much about - like health (just keep taking the tablets!). However, my mum always made a point of putting her shoulders back before she stepped out of the front door. It certainly made her look younger and fitter.

Little things like that, walking as firmly as we can, standing as straight as we can etc., can make us look younger than we are!

I have certainly aged since the pandemic started, physically and mentally. I suppose deciding to go grey didn’t help looks-wise.

Septimia your post made me sit up straight!

I think I look older since the pandemic.

Mind you my son's marriage fell apart just before the first lockdown so all the worry hasn't helped my wrinkles

I feel like I have aged more over the past two years than in the last ten. I am 64.

Up until 60 I felt that I looked OK for my age

I think lighting and the right mirrors can have an impact on how you feel you have aged. I think I look quite reasonable in my bathroom mirror but I look ten years older in the hallway one .

As Septima says, posture is so important. I am currently working from home and I feel like I spend all my working hours slouching over a computer. Good posture makes you look younger and slimmer.

I also agree with Coastpath in that people seem to look younger in the summer months. Probably because it is warmer which makes us relax more.

I spent the first part of the pandemic dieting, eating sensibly, maintaining my weight ( which I’ve never done in my life before being a yo yo dieter) etc. But the past few months I seem to have lost the will power. Winter doesn’t help nor does Christmas weight gain. Plus the fact that I don’t go out much so don’t bother with putting make up on. And I’ve gone very flabby due to not going to the gym. Walking the dog doesn’t tone you up. I did put a lot of effort into looking good for my new passport photo but once I’d achieved that I just went to pot!

Same age and feelings as you about the last 2 years * PinkCosmos*

I think I do look older than before the lockdown. I was having regular trips to the hairdresser to keep my colour and style in shape. I haven't been for over a year.
A few extra pounds and hip pain aren't helping either.

I feel the same as Pepper. I told my OH just this morning I feel really old and haggard.
I do hope the Springtime coming makes a difference to all of us.

I feel I look older than I did a year ago - but I had Covid, was on a ventilator, and had a stroke, all in 2 weeks last year

@HowveryDareYou
I’m so sorry to hear what you’ve been through! It must have been awful. How are you doing now ? X

HowVeryDareYou ?

I think you are right, I thought I was doing quite well, a bit of weight gain, but nothing too dramatic, then suddenly, my hair seems thinner and in poor condition, my eyes look tired and red rimmed, my skin is blemished, I just look like I’ve taken a giant leap towards old age .

Perhaps we will feel more positive when spring arrives and when we can get some sun on our faces again (remembering the sunscreen of course - I don’t want the increasingly obvious age spot on my face to get even worse!).

I made a pact years ago with a friend to grow old disgracefully. When Covid came along we decided to embrace the grey together. Well, the grey hair has done me no favours except saving money and a long sit in a mask at the hairdressers. She now has a sleek chic white /grey bob I have a dirty grey pixie a very very old pixie more a goblin cut.
I don't think any of us have had the occasion to get dressed up and look good so any current photos come as a shock compared to the ones even three years ago.
Others like Howeverdareyou have had very serious illnesses which they have had to cope with under very difficult circumstances and hope they are feeling better.

I thought I was haggard for my age. Seeing myself on Zoom everyday doesn't help. My neighbour is 5 years older than me and always looks great. Or so I thought, until I saw her without her hair done and no make-up (I don't bother much with my appearance). I feel OK about my looks now.

Howverydareyou, sorry to hear you have been through the mill.