Do you still feel young

Joining the minority ‘feeling young and looking young are not synonymous’ group.

In the past four days I’ve been told by an orthopaedic surgeon that I have very strong bones (despite never having been able to take HRT), by other clinicians that I have a great resting heart rate and amazing blood pressure (not for my age but generally) and that I am strong, fit and flexible.

So yes, I feel fairly young. I don’t look it at all (especially apparently since I’m currently hobbling around on two crutches, which a hip replacement will do to a person), and I have zero interest in fashion (except shoes) or make up.

I do feel young. My partner is someone who was a best bud at university over 50 years ago and we’re still having fun together. We refuse to grow old.

Last year I went to look for a summer dress but was horrified with the choice. The patterns and designs were just what my grandmother would have worn. the fabric was not much better. Glad to say that the designs look a lot more attractive this year. To paraphrase the song
"Pushing. 80 and still wearing jeans"

Thank you maddyone.

Not sure how old I feel. Currently awaiting the outcome of cancer treatment (appt on Friday) so that has been a stress I could have done without. But on the other hand I'm still pretty involved with GCs (12 and 10) and younger DD is undergoing IVF, so I have lots to look forward to. I recently discovered world travel after years of venturing no further than Italy in a touring van, and want to do some more (finances and health permitting). I'm 72 but DH is 78, but so far no serious ailments for him though he is not so mobile nowadays.

I certainly have lots of things I still want to do, both new and old. We didn't do these when younger cos we both worked more than full time and didn't have the money then. Thanks to inheritances and a few good investments, we have some spare money. Technically I'm also still working, earning a couple of grand a year, but that's on hold till I get my cancer news.

I don't look particularly younger than my age, but that doesn't bother me. My dress sense has always been pretty rubbish but reasonably modern. My mum continued to wear clothes from 40 year ago till most of them went missing in the care home and I simply couldn't find any replacements currently on the market.

I'm treasurer of several local organisations/charities, involved to some extent in politics at all levels, and on various committees. My girls tell me I am really interesting and often ask for advice. Am okay with technology to a point.

So basically I feel young enough for what I want to do in life. and still finding new things to do.

That's good enough for me!

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.

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.

I’m feel for you Urmstongran, and I’m sorry. Similarly, serious health issues have affected our family too and very much altered the kind of retirement we had planned and were enjoying. Health is everything. I do still feel mentally young though, but various aches tend to remind me I’m not.

Yes, I feel young still, other than some aches and pains here and there at age 66, I am still able to do whatever I want. And I might add I'm much happier than I have ever been.

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 😇

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. 🏃‍♀️‍➡️

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

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'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 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'!!!

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

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. 😲

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

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 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.

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.

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 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

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.

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.

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.