Do you still feel young

I don't think feeling young has anything much to do with wearing semi trendy clothes.
I feel like death warmed up, and it's not to do with what I wear.

At 81, nearly 82 I consider I’m young at heart ….with energy and a sincere and positive interest of life all around me. In my world this is far more important than how young I think I might look in my clothes, or putting on my makeup before presenting myself to the outside world. This attitude has proved to attract like minded friends, family and neighbours who add such joy to my life……regardless of our ages or appearance,

I was feeling pretty good about myself until I had a routine medication review with a GP this morning. Although I have managed to get my cholesterol and weight down I was still offered Statins. My BMI is normal but now I need to monitor my blood pressure for a week and 'research' Statins. So to cheer myself up I have been online looking at clothes. I like to think I dress well for my age (66) although I have to tell myself that some things are too young ! I do look after my hair and my skin. (Upper arms are not so good nor my thighs) but hey who is going to see them :-)

I’m 66 and had my twins at 37. I’ve always felt younger as my friends are mostly Mum friends from when the children started school and are generally 10 years younger than me. However, this weekend was my daughter’s home hen do before getting married next month. When I saw the photos of me I felt like crying 😢 not only do I look overweight I look old! My hair is now naturally grey and I’m regularly complimented on its colour, but I hate it!!! I’ve got 10 weeks to shift some weight (which I WILL do) and I’m ringing the hairdressers tomorrow for advice on a new style and colour!

I think old granny attire is dressing smartly when just going shopping 😀.
How judgemental is the term “letting themselves go”? It can also be rather ageist too.

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.

As for feeling young, old or anything else. I do not feel any age at all and never have.

MissAdventure

I don't think feeling young has anything much to do with wearing semi trendy clothes.
I feel like death warmed up, and it's not to do with what I wear.

You have every reason to feel as you do. It looks like there’s only 3 of us here who understands that it’s not just clothes, makeup and hair that determines our young outlook

M0nica

As for feeling young, old or anything else. I do not feel any age at all and never have.

Neither have I.

I’m 65 but feel more like 30 until I look in the mirror and hardly recognise the woman looking back at me.
And my poor mobility stops me doing things I want to do and my aches and pains stopping me sleeping
My AC saying things to me that I used to say to my mother which are annoying even though well meant with love
Where have all the years gone you don’t realise when you are young that old age comes so quickly.

I’m lucky that my mindset is one of looking forwards to new adventures and experiences rather than back to when I was young, slim, unlined and brunette. I’m fortunate to enjoy good health, work on my fitness and eat a very varied diet of mostly unprocessed food.

If people (strangers or acquaintances) think I’ve “let myself go” based on what I’m wearing or the colour of my hair, it’s in their own head rather than mine - friends and family would tell you that I’m actually living the life they want.

The best life is in the living not in what it looks like folks!

Coming across young is all about how you move. You cannot look young if you walk bent over with two sticks for one reason or another. Young is an image which is usually very different between the beholder and others. It is also to do with your confidence, the smile on your face and the aura you give off. Not sure how to express it better. It is rarely how you dress, everything goes these days thankfully. You all describe yourself beautifully, do you think others see you like that??

I'm 72 and still feel young. I'm lucky I have good genes and do not look my age. I also take good care of my skin. I work 2 1/2 days a week in a Dr's. office. My young co workers say they want to be me when they are older. I think reading, socializing and having interest in other people helps. I dress very classic. No fads for me.

win

Coming across young is all about how you move. You cannot look young if you walk bent over with two sticks for one reason or another. Young is an image which is usually very different between the beholder and others. It is also to do with your confidence, the smile on your face and the aura you give off. Not sure how to express it better. It is rarely how you dress, everything goes these days thankfully. You all describe yourself beautifully, do you think others see you like that??

I understand completely what you mean. 😁 it’s our
demeanour. It’s got very little to the way we dress.

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.

Exactly, as I said. It so sad this idea of letting yourself go. Some of the kindest folk are a little ragged round the edges, I find.

No, I don’t feel young. I’m 73 and my knees let me know it. But I don’t feel old either. I take care over my appearance - well maintained shoulder length hair, albeit grey now, subtle eye makeup every day and good quality clothes and shoes which suit me and don’t date. Buying fast fashion in an effort to keep up to date is a mug’s game. In the long run it’s much more expensive too.

It's just the way I am in liking to look nice. Some days I feel pretty awful but I pull myself out of bed, put on my face etc and am ready for whatever life throws at me. Certainly didn't mean offence.

It depends.🤣 I feel younger than my age most of the time until I try to do things I could have done three years ago and can't. I had a nice compliment a few weeks ago when I had lunch with two ladies I didn't know, for the first time. Both were in their 60s were surprised when I told them that I was 72.

I’m 78 been fighting cancer for 10 years, lost my hair several times over during that time. Not to be beaten I currently have virtually white hair and with a bit of coaxing my hairdresser gave me some high lights of purple/pink. Your advised not to colour your hair as it doesn’t mix well with chemo. Hence the coaxing part. I was delighted when my very conventional granddaughter said she loved it and said “when she gets old she is going to get coloured bits in her hair and wear weird clothes like me” I liked the hair part, but never realised I wore weird clothes, better that than boring though

I agree with MOnica I don’t and never have, thought of myself as being any age. I am just me.
That said I shall be 80 this Christmas and I am noticing a few twinges etc.

I am 89 and do not look or feel my age. I have spent all morning gardening, including grass strimming, mowing, weeding and watering. My hair has never gone grey or white, although I do have a few white hairs by my ears. I have no wrinkles and my skin is good. I think being so active and having good genes has helped. Neither of my parents looked their ages.

Summerstorm

I’m 78 been fighting cancer for 10 years, lost my hair several times over during that time. Not to be beaten I currently have virtually white hair and with a bit of coaxing my hairdresser gave me some high lights of purple/pink. Your advised not to colour your hair as it doesn’t mix well with chemo. Hence the coaxing part. I was delighted when my very conventional granddaughter said she loved it and said “when she gets old she is going to get coloured bits in her hair and wear weird clothes like me” I liked the hair part, but never realised I wore weird clothes, better that than boring though

Your hair sounds great!

I like to dress well which makes me feel good about myself. A bit of make up also def helps at this time of life.

Maybe at our age we should have learnt not to judge and to keep our opinions of other people to ourselves!

Urmstongran

Clothes apart (I’m with GG13 here - my girls give advice!) sadly I don’t feel young anymore. I used to until a heartbreaking diagnosis within our family and to be honest it’s hit home, hard. How whether we like it or look it we ARE aging. It’s so sad. I used to be so carefree only 18 months ago. My lifestyle choices were perfect. I thoroughly enjoyed that life I had. My perception of aging has changed now, irrevocably.