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

not too unlike you Esmay
I have been very fortunate.. despite dh dying couple of months before covid declared,, and felt that my grieving was put on hold during the lockdowns,, too much to think about there...
then o.k. ish,, I was 85 I think, when arthritis appeared in my knee, guess the backaches I put down to "womens" stuff,, managed that o.k. could walk etc.. etc...

then it hit me,, arthritis has quickly taken over,, I can`t do gardening, or the walks (not long ones) I used to do, etc, everything is stopped, well not quite, but can`t do it now..
that is when I felt old,, even now people ask me how old I am, and I have to count on my fingers ,, I just cannot believe I have that amount of physical years behind me..

I HATE IT!

When my husband was transferred to care home after my 2 nd stroke as I could no longer look after him properly…. he’d been ill 27 years …and I’d seen to him single handed all that time as well as work 5 hours a day to keep the house going as he wouldn’t claim benefits! I thought after he went that I’d “ get some life back” ….but some sod had other ideas and my body has gone into shock ( doctors words) …it’s a year on my own now and I do not think it’s coming out of the shock of 27 years!! Ever!

Quite a few years ago I was standing at a bus stop with my then teenage daughter when a couple of lads drove by. They sounded the horn and whistled. I thought it was directed at me, I've never minded wolf whistles etc, always found them a bit of a laugh and quite complimentary. Anyway I quickly realised they were whistling at my daughter!! That was the first time I felt old! I know it's not the done thing now, but I wish I was still whistled at

When 7 year old grand daughter informed me I was the oldest in the family !! Matriarch at last !!

My hubby felt old when he was putting air in his tyres. A middle-aged man said "do you want me to do that to save you kneeling"? 😏

When I hit my 70s and my body decided to do it's own thing and not in a good way

Following a five year period of bad health ( breast cancer, stroke with 5 weeks in hospital, 18 days in for a fall, and various other things ) I went to GP for check up on broken toe and he asked 'what are you going to do with the rest of your life?'

I was 66 at the time and absolutely floored. Just hadn't accepted my age, as I hadn't accepted it was time to go grey. I tried being grey for three weeks, but decided it was too early and coloured my hair with aid of DH

70ish. I’m now approaching 78.

Don’t consider myself old,71 this year but do realise there are things that I can no longer do, Warbler I feel your pain but I confess I did laugh! Grin

My head tells me I’m not old (69) but my body begs to differ!!!

i will get older but i will never get old!! age is but a number anyway.
I'm slower than i used to be and there are things i can no longer do plus i'm physically less flexible than i used to be but inside i'm still in my thirties ........ i keep wondering who on earth is staring at me when i look in the mirror.
nut i'm still no old at almost 76.

I don’t really feel old yet I’m 68 still working, personal trainer, younger partner
But I suppose when my knickers got bigger , no more thongs or little frilly things on the washing line makes me feel old.

I am fast approaching my 77th birthday. I still don’t “feel” old, but occasionally my body tries to tell me otherwise 😂

My physical problems make me feel old at 58. Got osteoarthritis (had knee replacement) and lipodaema and struggle to walk. Together with digestive problems (hiatus hernia etc) and diverticular disease, high BP and cholesterol (came on with treatment for breast cancer) I feel like a bit of a crock! Still working full time but finding travelling difficult and embarrassing when people offer me their seats. People see the stick and think old. I've had people (especially children) refer to me as an old lady. I didn't think I looked that bad!

I felt old in the months after mr i died, hadn’t done before this. for me, there was something about facing life alone, so suddenly and unexpectedly that made me overly aware of my own mortality. Of the two of us, he was fit whilst I have various long term health problems and foolishly hadn’t considered him dying before me
I’m beginning to come out of the overwhelming feelings of grief and trying to live my best life. I’ve always been blessed with valuing every new day, I’m more aware of that and less interested now in pondering my aches n pains

As my mom would say older never old. So I am older not old at 65. B
In my head I am 40.

This thread is so timely -- I was just thinking about this last night wondering how long I could keep up with my garden, walk 2 miles per day and do pilates 3 times per week. Based on your responses, I think I have at least another 10 years.

When I turned 70 last autumn. If people die in their 60's people will all say "Oh, they were so young!" But once you're in your 70's it's as if, "Well, they had a good life."

I had an inkling when I first bought a pair of comfort shoes, but now I am 80 and despite avoiding mirrors wherever possible I have to accept the fact that I am, at best, ‘elderly’.

So much good humour on here. Perked me up and had me giggling. Old?not old!

I turned 70 last year and can honestly say that was a turning point for me and I began to feel old. I still do all the things I used to do but it all takes that much longer and I have to take small breaks in my endeavours to do anything strenuous. KBO is my motto.

Saggi I'm full of admiration for your fortitude and hope that your body comes out of shock and you do indeed get some life back.

Hilarious! I would probably have done the same !

At 79 not convinced I'm old - probably hit me soon, though!

Gwenisgreat1 I do so agree with you, I'm 76 and certainly don't feel old.