At what age did you realise you were "old"?

\I am 78 and felt young for my age. I was fit and walked eveywhere until I coughed up some blood in March. I have been diagnosed,after many delays which should not have happened, with Stage 4 Small Cell lung cancer.
I've had my second treatment of Chemotherapy today. How long have I left ? Who knows. But I have enjoyed my life up until now and believe in "What will be will be"
Everyone needs to live their life to the full in the best way that they know how.

Wise words maytime2 I hope your treatment goes well 💐

I feel at age 69 I’ve aged a fair bit in the past year mainly due to arthritis . I went a lovely country walk last week and stopped at my favourite little humpback bridge.

I did as I always did last summer and edged my way down the embankment to sit on a large rock next to the stream. After an hour I decided to get moving and that’s when it all went wrong. I couldn’t for the life of me negotiate the small but steep incline back up to the roadside. I was wobbling around and couldn’t put one foot in front of the other . I had to get down on all fours and crawl up. Thinking there was nobody for miles around I uttered a few expletives about myself on the way up.

I dragged myself to my feet at the top once I had a gate to grab. Then realised there was a walker standing on the bridge eating his sandwiches and he’d witnessed the entire spectacle. I was mortified 🙈

So sorry to read of your illness maytime2. Wishing you well with your treatment and I hope you’ll regain your strength and continue to enjoy life 💐

I'm still watching for the signs but not over diligently.

maytime2 - positive thinking 🙏

maytime2 - none of us know how much time we have left, whether we have life limiting/threatening illnesses or not Take each day as it comes. Hope your treatment goes well and you are back to your old, active self.
Hope everyone is enjoying this lovely weather ☀️

I think I was quite young. Certainly no older than mid 50s. I suddenly noticed my knees in the mirror and they were no longer shapely and youthful looking but had, sort-of... started to SAG!
How is that even possible??
Now of course everything is going south and it's not such a great look! - but now it's not such a shock either!

I felt old having gone through open chest surgery for dissected aorta. Prednisone was distorting my muscles and I was awaiting two new hips and could not move without crutches Two new hips later and eventually off the meds makes me realise age is just a number not worth contemplating

Thank you all for your messages of support.

I often wonder how I can possibly 74. Surely some mistake? I do avoid looking in mirrors with my glasses on, which helps a bit.

I'm off to buy a new microwave to replace the 20 year-old one that just conked-out. At 68 if the new one lasts as long this could be my last one

Witzend

I often wonder how I can possibly 74. Surely some mistake? I do avoid looking in mirrors with my glasses on, which helps a bit.

Similar experience. I have started to use my I phone camera and put it on selfie by mistake. Shock! Horror! Is that really me? I have decided to stay behind the camera now forever.

When a young man gave up his seat for me on the bus.

It’s not realising I am old for me mentally I don’t feel old not yet anyway I am 67 this year. It’s more my physical state I have poly arthralgia (arthritis in various areas) of my body. Started with having a hip replacement at 53. It’s just gone on since then. It’s not helped by being intolerant to traditional pain relief. I have tried alternative methods but it’s always been hit and miss.

I notice the problem inhibits me especially when with our GC. They want me to run around with them and play games etc I just can’t do it! I keep getting asked what’s the matter nanny why can’t you do it you look fine! I am happiest reading and crafting with them they are very young and full of energy as they should be.

I am older than I was, but not old.
I don’t have the energy or the stamina I had ten years ago, but my mother lived into her nineties, so I think I have a good few years ahead of me. My youngest grandchild is 15, so I certainly don’t need to be running round small people any more.
Keeping the brain active is essential, however.

I don’t know about me but all of a sudden I seem to be inundated with dying or increasingly incapacitated friends.
Compared to them I’m still a spring chicken but they are exhausting me!
Now I’ve just spent the days up to my knees in sea water with DGS catching shrimps, fish and crabs. I’m knackered!

Despite having chemo three years ago I still feel fit. I am 77 and can walk quite a long way and do most things I want to. It takes longer to dress in the morning, however, as I have to add hearing aids, prosthesis etc 😉

I hope your treatment goes well maytime

Maytime

Four years ago I woke up with pain and swelling in my knee .
It was hot and pink .

I phoned the Dr .
One appointment , an Xray and physiotherapy by phone .

I thought back -
I'd had two previous injuries to it and that is probably what did the damage.
I'd lifted a lot of stuff the day before .

I thought that it would get better , but it's got worse .
And that's when I started to feel old !

I'm pushing 80, and although my body certainly recognised that it had become "old" some years ago now, my brain has yet to catch up with it. Long may it continue.

For me, it was walking in Wales with DH, DS with newly-wed DiL and her parents. I would have been maybe 55, coping fine with the walk. BUT the young people were so much more sure-footed, could go faster, further, longer than us parents. We all remarked on it.

I’m not old, just getting older like everyone (76)
Having a bath and not being able to get out without turning round on all fours was a surprise.
Having to sit down after a period of walking.
Tinnitus and missing conversations.
Just noticed a slight swelling in the knuckles of my left hand, arthritis.
Not bothering about socialising. As someone said above, covid had an effect.
Going down fighting as a singer, I’ve had my eyelids done, neck too, Botox, fillers and extensions so I know for a fact I don’t look my age, without taking these things too far I hasten to add…Being old is also a frame of mind.

When I had an accident and went to hospital. I am a fit 68 but was treated like I was 100. Staff did not believe that I don’t take any regular medication and discussed my recovery with my children rather than me. Not amused!

I no longer want to go out every Saturday night - much rather get cosy at home with a glass of red wine in front of the tv. That was never me,but it is now. I might add, it is freezing cold here at night just now . When we go out with friends it mostly tends to be for lunches now, not evening events and I’d rather go out to a restaurant than entertain at home, can’t be bothered with dinner parties anymore.