Gransnet forums

Competitions

Win a luxury cabin break for four

(489 Posts)
CariGransnet (GNHQ) Fri 14-Feb-14 16:51:26

How do you feel about getting older? Whether it's a pet peeve or, equally, something you like, let us know (in no more than two sentences) and you could appear in a brand new novel.

Pan Macmillan publishers want to get a snapshot of real women’s feelings about ageing. A selection of these will be included in the new book The Time of our Lives by Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller Maeve Haran.

You might remember Maeve as the author of 90’s smash hit Having It All, a novel that sparked huge debate about whether women could work and have a family, and much more besides. As well as being a brilliant read, her new book is about four friends in their early sixties, and the new issues they face, twenty years older than the protagonists of Having it All.

Everyone who posts a comment will be entered into a draw to win one of 20 exclusive early reading copies of The Time of Their Lives, and everyone whose comments are used will be entered into a draw to win a luxury forest cabin break for four people – details HERE.

We also have an exclusive extract from the book which you can read here.

teleaddict13 Fri 21-Feb-14 18:56:24

None of us like getting old but you must make the most of it and enjoy every day.It's nice to smile and have a chat with people and have more time on your hands.

poshpink Fri 21-Feb-14 18:52:24

I don't mind getting older - I don't need to think about what others think about me. I can dress how I want, eat what I want, forget about dieting & generally just have a great time.

sbroadley Fri 21-Feb-14 18:47:30

Amusing the closing date of 10th March is my birthday.
I'm still waiting to be a grandad though!!!!!

gran5up Fri 21-Feb-14 18:34:09

Body gets heavier,heart gets lighter:getting older has a freedom all its own

inishowen Fri 21-Feb-14 18:26:47

I'm 61 and to my surprise I don 't feel any different than I did 20 years ago! The big bonus for me is becoming a granny to two little ones. 20 years ago I worked for a childrens nursery, and envied all the grans who came to collect their grandchildren. Now that's me, and I'm delighted.

wurzel Fri 21-Feb-14 18:26:37

As I got osteo-arthritis at 48 (from lifting) I experienced physical limitations from a young age so haven't had a shock now 70! I'm
moving to a small town with son and wife, which we're choosing
together; and I feel my life is exciting - can still listen and speak!!

Spidergran Fri 21-Feb-14 18:26:18

Old is really 'older', a time to gather all my happy and sad times together, reflect,maybe learn and then...let go and LIVE whats left to the FULL.

cassandra264 Fri 21-Feb-14 18:22:01

now I'm in my sixties and retired, one of the best things, I find,is being able to spend more time keeping in touch with friends, near and far. Good friendships only get better!

amandaleeds Fri 21-Feb-14 18:12:24

As I get older I regularly reflect upon and learn from past experiences, improve my understanding of the world and humanity and appreciate what truely makes me happy in life. Another nice thing about getting older is you have more memories and photos to look back on!

IvvieN Fri 21-Feb-14 18:09:13

Being 66 means having the time to do Pilates, yoga and archery classes without having to fit in work as well; and then eating chocolate instead of healthy food!

NanSue Fri 21-Feb-14 17:57:35

In my head I am around 25 and drop dead gorgeous but then I look in the mirror and there's a 59 year old wrinkly woman stalking me!

missdeke Fri 21-Feb-14 17:57:20

Well it sure beats the alternative!!!

LilyP Fri 21-Feb-14 17:53:39

I have always lived in the 'now' and still do; why hark back to a frenetic youth, being a size 8, being able to dance til 3am and tucking into a full English breakfast with Bloody Mary's and not an ounce on the arse!

Now at 53, for me ageing is to learn to be self-LESS and appreciate every tiny thing that makes up my days with people I love, and who love me and whom I feel totally at ease with - even though my partying hasn't slowed down and these days my arse doesn't turn heads, it makes HGVs take evasive action to avoid it in the street!

(2 sentences just a bit James Joyce'ish in length...smile)

Cagsy Fri 21-Feb-14 17:53:08

The number doesn't matter, your state of mind, health and personal circumstances are probably far more important. I'm in a good place with a wonderful family, I enjoyed my 40s, 50s and now 60s - not at all sure about getting to 80s and even 90s though, but trying not to worry as it may never happen!

Helena1 Fri 21-Feb-14 17:50:58

I don't mind too much that I'm getting older, the alternative's decidedly permanent! And of course, life experience is an asset that only comes with age, and in my work as a counsellor I find it invaluable.

margk Fri 21-Feb-14 17:49:51

I'm 37 yrs in my head until I look in the mirror and wonder who the old lady is looking back at me.

grumpyoldmaid Fri 21-Feb-14 17:48:32

Getting older scares the living daylights out of me

sue42 Fri 21-Feb-14 17:46:43

Hhmm, it is a different stage of life, compromises to be made as always, but hey I dont have to keep up with anyone anymore, I am my own boss! I can do more or less as I please, in my time.

PatriciaPT Fri 21-Feb-14 17:40:18

I enjoy knowing that some people see me as an 'interesting person' and a Wise Woman (in the sense of the Jungian archetype), and sometimes being able to see myself in those descriptions! And having grandchildren to care for gives me a 'second chance', a chance to do better than I did in bringing up my children.

Atqui Fri 21-Feb-14 17:37:30

It's the role reversal that gets me: my daughter often speaks to me as though I'm the child!!!

RosG Fri 21-Feb-14 17:33:37

The inside me hasn't aged a day since I was about 25, the outside me is somewhat ahead of that. That's the tough part I think, feeling the same but finding I can't do the same things and that others certainly see me differently. Lots of positives of course but do get frustrated that others seem to think my brain has aged along with my skin and hair!

nigernomad Fri 21-Feb-14 17:33:27

I am happy to get older if I can get wiser too!

tiller30 Fri 21-Feb-14 17:29:10

On the outside my knees hurt I wear comfortable clothes and flat shoes.
On the inside I am still the chorus girl and wear sequins,feathers and high silver sandals!

Sukiedoo Fri 21-Feb-14 17:26:10

I'm really quite happy being the age I am - I've spent all my life getting here, and now I've arrived I'm going to treat it like a holiday!

Pamaga Fri 21-Feb-14 17:23:43

I feel ok about getting old but, touch wood, am in reasonably good health. I enjoy having time in retirement to spend with family and friends.