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(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.

HMHNanna Sun 23-Feb-14 14:36:04

I waken up and I'm an OAP. I close my eyes and I am four years old kicking the autumn leaves around in the park. As long as my mind behaves itself, I can be any age I want to be.

cookiemonster66 Sun 23-Feb-14 14:41:29

I dont recognise my face in the mirror anymore, inside I still feel young and think I'm still in my 20's, only the body lets me down! Lucky I have a toyboy to keep me on my toes!

happytraveller Sun 23-Feb-14 15:19:47

It's so easy to get sandwiched between caring for a (difficult) elderly parent and babysitting my gorgeous grandkids. I'm finding it hard to relax when I have 'me' time

contrarymary Sun 23-Feb-14 15:58:55

To me, getting older has meant getting grandchildren who keep me young!!!
sunshine

mikbecfly Sun 23-Feb-14 16:10:13

I don't mind getting older at all, in fact I welcome it. Since I hit ' middle age' I have found that I have become more confident in the person I am, and the person I want to be! I am much clearer in my expectations and more likely to speak my mind, which has been very liberating and, best of all ........ I am yet to turn into my mother!!!

Knowsley Sun 23-Feb-14 16:34:44

Last month I got my free bus pass, which pleased me greatly. My father and two uncles never got to claim theirs.

clairesen Sun 23-Feb-14 18:18:05

I enjoy looking back on the things I've done and decisions I've made in my life when I thought I knew it all. Now I have the wisdom and experience to be able to look back and laugh. I don't regret any decisions I made, as things could be very different now...and I'm very happy.
I'm grateful for what I have and know who I am.

MissisG Sun 23-Feb-14 18:31:24

I find it strange that inside I still feel 18 - I love rock music, football but my body sometimes lacks the energy of my mind!

Antymags Sun 23-Feb-14 19:35:28

Being retired means there is no time to work. Busy busy busy.

marieingham Sun 23-Feb-14 19:50:28

I do feel more confident as I've got older, especially talking to strangers. But when it comes to being noticed, once I got passed 49 I felt invisible. Love the wisdom and patience but hate the tiredness.

cookiejar Sun 23-Feb-14 20:03:18

Getting older seriously sucks -such a shame liposuction doesn't suck as seriously ;)

cookiejar Sun 23-Feb-14 20:05:30

Getting older seriously sucks- such a shame liposuction doesn't take it as seriously as I do!

cookiejar Sun 23-Feb-14 20:07:51

Getting older is like preparing my trousseau ... everything seems to land in my bottom drawer, even if it doesn't belong there

sirihansen Sun 23-Feb-14 21:19:29

As a child, I always admired older people and I am glad to be one of them now, especially as I had a difficult time in my teens and twenties. I feel much more confident in myself and my abilities and am actually much more fit than I was when I was younger

pinkwallpaper Sun 23-Feb-14 21:21:20

grandchildren are the best thing about getting older

Atqui Sun 23-Feb-14 21:46:18

Wish people wouldn't keep saying age is just a number....

MiniMouse Sun 23-Feb-14 23:31:08

Getting older means lose no time - whizz down the zipwire of life before all your saggy bits drag on the ground! wink

beehummingbird Mon 24-Feb-14 00:36:12

I am a bit concerned about getting older, but I tend not to worry about it too much.

v1ckyh Mon 24-Feb-14 03:21:45

I love the calmness and confidence that comes with age. Or maybe it's that we care less what others think of us?

pedalssyren Mon 24-Feb-14 08:41:58

Being 64 for me is feeling as I did at 34, but with more confidence and not afraid to speak my mind. I am aware of turning into my mother though - although thinking about it that's not a bad thing - she was lovely!

JS06 Mon 24-Feb-14 09:32:20

I've worked, lived, thought, befriended, given birth, decided and concluded that I'm now old enough to trust my judgements and follow my instincts. They've not let me down.

alison66 Mon 24-Feb-14 10:44:20

My children and family are well aware that I will grow older disgracefully and not gracefully!

nancy22 Mon 24-Feb-14 11:11:34

I do my check list every week to make sure I catch up with family and see if they need help with anything. Especially my gramps so they all know I care about them and if they are poorly I can pop round with a hot toddy to keep them going

GeminiJen Mon 24-Feb-14 11:36:07

(+) On a dreich day, spending all of it in bed if I feel like it, with a really good book.

(-) Since my partner died, feeling like a fish without a bicycle.

mazgoli Mon 24-Feb-14 13:40:26

I find as I grow older I don't care what people think about me, and actually that's very liberating.
I've always been a bit 'dippy' and distracted/forgetful, now people think it's just my age and are more tolerant.