Do you still feel young

Just before this was posted I was thinking back to how my grans dressed. They wore shirt-waister dresses, toning cardi, tan tights & sensible shoes. (maternal gan in navys & rusts -paternal gran pastel dress with pink cardi). And they wore that everywhere - home, shopping, steakhouse, diamond wedding party. I actually felt envious because we accepted they'd reached an age where they wore a sort of "gran uniform" - they didn't have to worry about being under-dressed or over-dressed, about fashion, & with such a limited wardrobe, everything mixed & matched. As someone who can feel inappropriately dressed & self concious whilst walking the dog, although I'm in my 60's, I felt rather envious of them.

Whitewavemark2

I would like to collect my childhood books, but they aren’t cheap😮

One of them, which I found on EBay, was so tatty someone could easily have just thrown it away but I was overcome with emotion when it arrived.I could remember every word, every picture. I then found one in a better condition that was a bit more expensive. Years ago I started collecting Ladybird Thomas the Tank books because my grandson was mad about Thomas. My SIL put them in a box for the rubbish tip but thankfully my daughter spotted them ( they were in pristine condition).

Older than 72 and still feel young inside. I know I don’t loook my age; I try to wear fashionable clothes and have a good haircut. I have, however, realised that I no longer look 35!

Well I was ... mostly (I'm 69), but I just had a close up photo taken of a mark near one eye by my GP (for my records so they can monitor it) and my first reaction was "Oh God, look at my wrinkles!" As I wear specs and am very short-sighted, it's rare that I see my eye area clearly and it was a bit of a shock! Specs back on now though and I shall feel youngish again just as soon as I've gotten over the shock.

I would like to collect my childhood books, but they aren’t cheap😮

hollysteers

Yes, very young, about nine years of age. I collect toys, children’s books, especially pop up and toy theatres etc. etc. I probably have arrested development due to an unhappy childhood and can live in a dream world.

On a more practical note, having been a professional singer and still singing, I like to present a good appearance to the world, which includes quite a lot of fakery (including Botox) and good genes. Most people apart from close family, have no idea of my health issues and that’s how I like it. I can fool myself and others (most of the time) that I am much younger than I really am.

I must say I prefer my more settled temperament these days to my rather volatile younger self.

I’m so glad it isn’t just me. My daughter keeps nagging me to get rid of all the toys I have in the house ( some old that were my kids, some that I’ve picked up in charity shops, some that DD passed on for DS’s kids but never made it to their house. I have a collection of Ladybird books, wooden toys, Fisher Price toys (lots of). Old books, especially old pop up books that I’ve found in charity shops. My mum threw all of my toys and teddies away when I left home and I think I’m eternally trying to get them back. It took me decades to replace some of my favourite books. I bought an old dolls pram because I’d always wanted one but it’s sat in the garage going rusty!

RosiesMaw, you definitely do not look like 'granny in the corner'!
You have style and panache in abundance and you wear it well!

I dont feel any different "inside" than when I was in my 20s. However I have a lot more confidence to do what I want without worrying about the opinions of others. I have a couple of business suits for if the need arises but I dont follow fashion or really care what I look like around the house. I wear what I feel comfortable in.

winterwhite

72 is not old nowadays, so no wonder the OP feels young. I hope she is around to remember this thread when she is 92.

That is why I don't feel old Winterwhite. I see 72 as still being young.

72 is not old nowadays, so no wonder the OP feels young. I hope she is around to remember this thread when she is 92.

I'm 67 but, despite some recent big health issues. I don't feel old. I am fit and look after myself. I don't wear fashion-victim clothes but try to dress with style as your clothes are your armour. I walk between five and ten miles a day, exercise and eat reasonably healthily. I have my hair coloured, cut and blow dried and hope I look as confident as I feel after teaching full time for 34 years and bringing up two children.

I wonder whether the 'old granny thing' is a feature of the past, or perhaps it is related to social class or finance. Who knows? My mum was poor but kept up to date and my mother in law was well off but old at forty.

I feel young in myself - but my body isn't and I can't go out and about easily! However that doesn't stop me discussing all sorts of things with my grandchildren. Thankfully my brain is doing a reasonable job and we enjoy our time together

Some people would look good in a sack so clothes don’t come into it. I feel young at heart but my body doesn’t being riddled with arthritis is no joke.
I know some are worse off than me so I am grateful for that. I am nearly 68 and now white haired but delighted I’m still recognised!

I like to look good. I wear clothes that I like, fitted jeans, dresses, trousers etc. I will not, however, have my hair done so I look like mutton dressed as lamb. I often see women who look really great, figure-wise, but let themselves down by having their hair cut and dyed to look 20 again. It doesn't work.

I suppose I am surprised to hear quite often recently, that I look younger than I am because when I actually was young with my new baby I experienced more than once people telling me that I must be so proud of my beautiful GRANDCHILD . What? I was in my 20s.
Another time I was with a friend shopping, she was older than me, and an m & s staff member said to me that my DAUGHTER, ie my older friend, (!) looked very nice in the jacket she was trying on.
I wish people would think before they speak. It knocked any confidence I had.

Jenny75

I don’t think you meant to be rude, OP, but some might consider it rude to be described as “letting themselves go”. There are a raft of reasons why older people might not look smart and trendy - their choice / they feel more comfortable, they have health issues (and so some clothes might be easier to put on), they have depression after a partner’s death or illness, they are on a very low income and can’t afford the clothes, etc, etc.

Absolutely this!

I am NOT defined by my clothes or the way I look. I'm much more interested in what makes me happy on a day to day basis and what I can do for others.

Today I am feeling exceptionally young: my daughter messaged me to say that her 5 year old was wondering 'if Granny might like to be a cook when she grows up"
My face is radiating sunbeams 🌞🌞🌞

I feel young - interested in things going on, excited by hearing the first cuckoo of the year, getting going on a project and still enjoying learning new stuff etc, but what all that has to do with clothes I don't understand? I find an overly attentive attitude to appearance is actually dull and small- quite the opposite of feeling young and free

What is this obsession with looking young. Why don’t we just make the most of what we have whilst we still have it without obsessing about the superficial?
In just 10 years time quite a few of us posters may not be around anyway. 😲

My DM celebrated her 104th birthday yesterday and looked lovely in her outfit as she celebrated with fellow residents and her family in her care home. She always had an eye for clothes and amazingly still has. When I visit and have a nice outfit on she will ask where I bought it from and should woukd like one!! A very young outgoing positive attitude has helped her achieve her great age

I think we all need to remind ourselves that we will all be told that we look younger than our real age.

Partly this is because people know this is what we want to here but mainly it is because people have such skewed ideas of what old people at any age look like.

I volunteered last week to distribute election leaflets in my village. I spoke on the phone to someone who expressed surprise at my offer because as she said 'because you are 80 I thought you wouldn't be able to walk very far'!!!

I'm 59....im told i don't look my age...im a size 8 to 10....have my hair cut and hilights every 8 weeks....I would say I dress fashionably ...I wear denim shorts in summer ....I wear converse and birkenstocks....I enjoy cycling and hiking.....do I feel young?....no I do not

I feel young but certainly don't look it. I'm 73.
I don't think I've "let myself go," as I was never "with it" in first place. I've always worn what I felt comfortable wearing and, what my limited budget could afford.
I have recently had to start wearing more practical shoes due to arthritis in my feet. This bugs me a bit as I like pretty shoes.

I rarely wear make up or dress up and am happiest in my jeans and top/jumper. I suppose some might regard me as a lost cause but I'm happy.

I was taking my granddaughter to toddler group a few weeks ago and stopped to give an older woman room to pass me on the pavement.
I was tired (thanks to my granddaughter) and a bit harassed.
The woman stopped and complemented me on my beautiful skin. She told me that whatever I was doing, I should keep it up as it was obviously working!
I was walking on air for the rest of the day.
I didn't tell her I just use soap and water and a bit of cheap moisturiser in the morning.

I feel young and always have. In fact, if it wasn't for my painful back, I'd be absolutely amazing 😁

I will be 78 in September which sounds mighty old to me. I felt quite young at 70 but feel I have aged in the last few years. I wear makeup everyday and match my costume jewellery to what I am wearing. I wear bright colours and don’t care if folks think I look over the top.

However, I wish time didn’t seem to be accelerating. 🏃‍♀️‍➡️

What a wonderful inspiration - your take on life is how I hope to be at your age- I am 64 but complain too much about encroaching old age instead of enjoying all the things I can still do! Thank you for your positive message 😇