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Faffing about in Older Age!

(138 Posts)
zakouma66 Wed 27-Mar-24 10:12:26

I read an interesting thread o'er yonder on the young folks' site entitled 'Please tell me we don't all end up like this'

I recognise some of the traits; the constant worry about food and minor details, obsession about set meal times, indecision, minutae becoming huge. Bins loom large as does the Radio Times.

Anybody else?

GrannySomerset Tue 02-Apr-24 12:09:49

Not exactly faffing but DH’s motto was definitely “procrastinate now”, and DGD1 appears to have inherited the trait, much to the frustration of DD who, like me, tackles the least attractive thing first.

Flowerette Tue 02-Apr-24 11:50:02

Got stress atm and it’s affecting me here and there… I do do things that I would be perplexed about when my dear late Mum ❤️🌹 did them ..
I di keep losing my blinking phone .. sunglasses etc .. drive myself up the wall

Callistemon21 Tue 02-Apr-24 11:07:24

I’m basking in my faffing
🤣🤣🤣 Love it!

Gundy Tue 02-Apr-24 10:03:48

I’m basking in my faffing (called retirement) after working like a dog all my life.

JamesandJon33 Mon 01-Apr-24 19:52:56

I’m a ‘get it done now ‘ person. Always ready before time, never late anywhere. I spend a good deal of time waiting for others.

GrammarGrandma Mon 01-Apr-24 16:56:32

Not indecisive or a faffer, except on the phone. I can waste ages scrolling. 79 later this month. Husband takes care of bins but I'do it if he couldn't. I do like it when the Radio Times arrives on Tuesdays but I always have.

Callistemon21 Mon 01-Apr-24 15:37:48

I'm not a faffer but probably am a procrastinator!

Like right now .......

NanKate Mon 01-Apr-24 15:27:41

Definitely not a faffer.

I’m a 10 minute person. If we are going out and DH is faffing I find a task that will take approx 10 mins to do and I do it. If DH says ‘what are you doing’ I say ‘Just a 10 minuter’. He now knows what I mean. 👍

Callistemon21 Mon 01-Apr-24 14:54:54

Mine's quite exciting too 😃

MissAdventure Mon 01-Apr-24 12:16:42

Callistemon21

I've got a paper diary, week by week. We can both refer to that, it's in the kitchen.

It's not faffing, sometimes the old ways are the best ways, and quicker. In fact, I think my DD and DIL all use paper calendars too, everyone can see what the others are doing and who has to be where etc at a glance.

I also leave instructions to myself for upcoming appointments.

"Sort transport"
"Leave by 10.30, take a wee sample".

smile
That's about as lurid as it gets, these days.

Jaxjacky Mon 01-Apr-24 12:07:51

I don’t fret about food, the shops are usually open if I’ve overlooked something, or we’ll manage. Our bins are put out the night before by either of us, whoever remembers first.
Yes, guilty of the Radio Times at Christmas, otherwise I check on the TV or online.
I’m pretty laid back, no wall calendar, but a notebook I jot down a to do list, it often moves from one day to the next, there’s only fixed appointments that are important.

jenpax Mon 01-Apr-24 11:33:16

I am just 60 so not sure if I constitute an “older person” as per MN but I do stress about bins because there are 5 of us in the house 2 small children and a teenager and 2 adults one of whom has medical waste. The council provide us with one small bin for general rubbish, which is emptied every two weeks, and there is always a build up of rubbish sacks waiting to go into the emptied bin! which I find hugely stressful, and we also fill our two recycling bins to capacity (so its not that) I do realise that it is a first world problem, but nonetheless it still stresses me out. The other things I dont fuss about especially meal times 😂

fancythat Mon 01-Apr-24 11:10:44

Can you explain why please? If you dont mind at all?
I dont quite understand.

Etoile2701 Mon 01-Apr-24 10:58:52

Yes me, but I have always been like this.

Callistemon21 Mon 01-Apr-24 10:49:32

I've got a paper diary, week by week. We can both refer to that, it's in the kitchen.

It's not faffing, sometimes the old ways are the best ways, and quicker. In fact, I think my DD and DIL all use paper calendars too, everyone can see what the others are doing and who has to be where etc at a glance.

pascal30 Mon 01-Apr-24 10:45:18

MissAdventure

I have a paper diary, too.
I like things to be written down, in my own writing, on the days i have appointments.

I have had one for the past 30 years and have them on my book shelves. We used them as CPN's and had to keep them for a number of years for legal purposes
I jot down ideas, recipes, images and keep it by my bed..wouldn't be without one

MissAdventure Mon 01-Apr-24 09:41:05

I have a paper diary, too.
I like things to be written down, in my own writing, on the days i have appointments.

Germanshepherdsmum Mon 01-Apr-24 09:38:10

I have always relied on a paper diary. I once had an assistant who insisted on using the diary function on her computer. One day the Wi-Fi went down. She was in a real mess.

MissAdventure Mon 01-Apr-24 09:33:55

I'm sure if I had the radio times, I'd see more of the programmes I'm interested in, actually.

Rosiebee Mon 01-Apr-24 09:32:09

I don't understand the general attitude to the Radio Times. I get it every week and enjoy reading it and sometimes highlighting tv/radio programmes I want to watch/listen to. Similarly I have a house diary and kitchen calendar so that I can see at a glance what's coming up. Also have an address book. DH does all this on his phone but I prefer a more "hands on ' approach I don't see this as old fashioned. I love my phone/tablet/laptop and use them every day. I like having some routines- swimming/volunteering but am more than happy to go off piste. Are these traits that people consider doddery? I'm 72 and it's only my body that sometimes feels bit ancient. DH is a bit obsessed with the bins but I'd rather that than us forgetting to put them out.

Thisismyname1953 Sun 31-Mar-24 23:10:30

I am not a faffer and don’t have any routines except for the days I mind my granddaughter. I tend not to worry about things that I can’t do anything about and decide on when to eat and what to eat when I’m hungry . I only ever bought the TV Times and radio times at Christmas, in fact I now have Sky Glass which
Is more of a streaming service so I tend to watch what I want , when I want .

MayBee70 Sun 31-Mar-24 22:15:51

Pippa22

Everyone who says they aren’t gaffers. Would you notice it if you were and if so would you admit it ?
I am what I call a glitter. I start doing something then get distracted by something else and so on. If I’m not strict with myself I can go through the day doing lots of half jobs. I don’t remember this from being young.
Does anyone else recognise this trait ?

Oh yes. That’s me too. And I know I’m doing it but can’t stop. I’ll come upon something that I started doing ages ago but stopped without finishing it.

knspol Sun 31-Mar-24 20:06:02

Have to admit to stressing over the minutiae, things that I wouldn't have given a second thought to before DH passed away do prey on my mind nowadays. On the plus side never worry about food or bins and don't have set days for doing things,

MissAdventure Sun 31-Mar-24 19:48:25

I always have lots of "jobs" on the go, all at once.
I'm painting my kitchen cupboards as we speak.

I find it incredibly boring though, so I need a sit down and a distraction.

Until or unless anyone pays my mortgage then I couldn't care less if they find it annoying.

Anyway, my mortgage is paid off. (Very humble brag)

Pippa22 Sun 31-Mar-24 19:43:30

That should read flitter.