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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.

Wallygrom Sat 01-Mar-14 17:48:51

I am enjoying getting older on most counts - the knowledge, wisdom, much more related attitude to life etc. are all good. Grandchildren of course are the biggest bonus, though I do wish my health wasn't quite so influential in my day to day ability but at least I can now afford those sunny holiday breaks which make me feel on top of the world.

Mazcamel Sun 02-Mar-14 15:17:23

The best thing about being old is that my grandchildren are now teenagers and although they present their parents with a few problems, they are wonderful to me! We enjoy the same films and shows, we discuss the news and they love my cooking!

Maggiemaybe Sun 02-Mar-14 15:52:41

One thing to remember after a certain age is that M & S is not a good place to arrange to meet your offspring. As my friend's son said after an exasperating 20 minutes trying to pick out his particular white-haired little old lady.

Cathy100102 Sun 02-Mar-14 17:38:34

Save time and money every chance I get! Plus, keep moving; moving and grooving!!

Carolebarrel Sun 02-Mar-14 19:10:42

Getting older means, sadly, that you become somewhat invisible. However the positive side of that means you can do and say (almost) what you like - and gloriously get away with it!

dragonfly63 Mon 03-Mar-14 16:55:06

Like everything there are advantages and disadvantages it is the way that you look at things that makes the difference. If joints are aching be grateful that they still work. If your hair is grey wear nice pastel colours which looked wrong when you were younger. If you're too old to dance look after the little ones or the handbags and others will value you. Smile and treat each day as a bonus and you will attract people rather than scare them away, life becomes so much more interesting when you have other people around you to stimulate the mind and make you aware of what you could be missing. Remember the wisdom that you have acquired, the patience that you now have and the respect that you have earned from others by being 'there for them'.

suelowe Mon 03-Mar-14 17:27:07

What I love about it is not having to work , being able to garden on any sunny day that occurs, and being able to visit my family in Holland , when flights are a bargain , whenever I fancy .

janeainsworth Mon 03-Mar-14 23:07:02

I do have feelings of panic sometimes that there won't be enough time to do all the things I would still like to do.
'I warmed both hands before the fire of life; It sinks; and I am ready to depart' - no, I'm not ready to depart just yet!

chrissie13 Tue 04-Mar-14 12:34:00

I feel peeved at having to wait an extra 3 years for my pension!!

mrshenhouse Tue 04-Mar-14 16:06:01

with my yoga, pilates and running each day, I feel fitter than ever!

shaddai88 Tue 04-Mar-14 17:12:39

We all get old as the years roll by. My joints tell me each morning what the weather will be, no need the weather forecast! The list of medicines that get prescribed gets longer ever year, I am like a walking chemist! I have to be careful what I eat as my organs do not function as it used to be... otherwise I will be growing more horizontal!

pauline123 Tue 04-Mar-14 22:43:26

I love being older as it gives me more time to do the things I enjoy

morganv6 Wed 05-Mar-14 22:40:27

I like getting older. I worry less and less what other think of me, and think more and more about what REALLY matters, my family.

sapphire137 Thu 06-Mar-14 12:46:14

I know i am getting old because every year i have a birthday however i do not feel any older. The only difference i am finding as i get older is that i am not always right and there are two sides to everything.

freakfire Thu 06-Mar-14 15:09:21

For me the scary thing about growing older is how time speeds up, something I noticed in my late 20s, and it just gets faster and faster every year!

weather Thu 06-Mar-14 17:52:41

I want to do so much in my mind but my body has a mind of its own!

sylviagill Thu 06-Mar-14 21:13:20

I don't mind getting older - and don't feel old at all, at the moment I'm having the time of my life... kids grown up, Semi-retired, and lots of lovely dancing holidays to keep me fit and looking great !

Galen Thu 06-Mar-14 22:07:06

My greatest relief, is seeing my daughter having the same problems with her daughters as I did with her! As she thinks she's a perfect mother, I can't have done it all wrong!

wurzelnan Fri 07-Mar-14 12:15:02

Growing older brings the realisation that life is not a rehearsal and the time to actually live it.

Oldgreymare Fri 07-Mar-14 12:15:25

Spring is in the air, another winter has gone (well for today anyway!) and the ravages are clear to see:
Face: jowls more saggy, lines deeper.
Hair: dryer, whispier, more grey.
Figure: even my knees have dropped!
Feet: I now know what my Gran meant when she said:'My corns are drawing' when the weather was wet (and we've had plenty of wet weather here!)
BUT, hey, I'm still alive AND looking forward to Summer smile

wurzelnan Fri 07-Mar-14 12:25:23

growing older brings more than the old aged pension with it.

herneuen Fri 07-Mar-14 12:27:27

I pack more into my days now that I did when I was in my 20s. I love my life and even though my bones creak a bit and sometimes my back gives out, I just accept that like a old car, I'm now 'vintage' and I'm fortunate to be highly value by those who love me.

The bodywork may be rusting but as the old saying goes, there's still plenty of oomph under the bonnet !

kernowone Fri 07-Mar-14 12:36:42

Getting older definitely has its ups and downs! On the upside there is the wisdom that comes with experience, the Grandchildren that bring fun and happiness without the responsibilities and the time to pursue those longed for hobbies but with this also comes the downside the fact that you are now top of the tree the one that is supposed to have all the answers and the ageing body that is gradually deteriorating before your eyes!

cjeyte Fri 07-Mar-14 12:42:25

Slippery doorstep.
And these days I go out
Using my old dad’s umbrella.
Now my own.

Aspidistra Fri 07-Mar-14 12:59:41

I don't even realise that I'm getting old, until I catch sight of myself in a shop window and think "poor old thing, she could do with a bit of tlc!"
More seriously, I feel more chilled about some things that used to make me worried/anxious/angry I now realise just don't matter, and more determined to leave the world a better place when I check out.