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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.

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.

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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!

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 .

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'.

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!

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

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

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.

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!

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.

nannymoocow Sat 01-Mar-14 14:59:13

Not worrying about what people think of me, if I am happy that is all that matters.

lizzeegee Sat 01-Mar-14 10:52:06

Tiredness and teeth are the bane of ageing.

Valuing relationships and simple pleasures, the gift of longevity.

Valbeasixties Sat 01-Mar-14 09:40:20

I value an increasing sense of self confidence in my ability to say 'no' rather than trying to be a people pleaser. If only my wisdom were accompanied by a more positive impression when I catch sight of my reflection in a mirror!

nannilynne Sat 01-Mar-14 07:28:13

growing older(I am 65)is both challenging and fun!
Looking after my 18month old Grandaughter is both!!

ghammy87 Fri 28-Feb-14 21:06:20

As I get older I get wiser, more daring and more fun!! Life just gets easier :-)

suewilly Fri 28-Feb-14 19:45:53

I keep forgetting that I'm getting older. In my mind I'm still in my mid thirties, which is great until I look in the mirror and see my Mum staring back at me.
The worst thing about getting older is that my parents are also older and they need so much more attention than they did when I really was in my thirties.
I always assumed that getting older would mean that the children would have left home and I would have more time to do as I pleased. In reality I now spend more than 50% of my time visiting Dad in a care home (and hating the fact that dementia has robbed us of the chance to have a proper conversation), or running Mum around to various doctors and hospital appointments since she had a stroke.
The best thing about getting older is having fabulous fun with the grandchildren. I love having an excuse to have water fights in the garden or spend an afternoon bouncing on a trampoline - well I did, until I fell off and broke my ribs - which reminded me that as I get older I don't tend to bounce like I did when I was younger.

Maggiemaybe Fri 28-Feb-14 18:52:51

Well, this wheel’s on fire, rolling down the roooooad… And just as long as my wheels aren’t accessorised by a tartan blanket and a full-time carer, long may it continue!

grandmaskype Fri 28-Feb-14 18:22:22

When we were poor young parents my mother always helped in little ways which were much appreciated. Now as a grandmother I enjoy helping my two sons and their families whenever I can and I understand how much pleasure it gave my mother and now gives me.

rainbow7 Fri 28-Feb-14 17:36:36

Getting older makes me think I have to do the things I want to before it's too late. 64 isn't old any more but it is giving me a bit of a nudge.

Soutra Fri 28-Feb-14 17:06:09

My little grandson was getting excited about his birthday- why? I asked and he replied "Because I've never been 4 before! " Maybe I can learn from him as I have never been 66 before- so bring it on!

slbhill Fri 28-Feb-14 16:44:26

How do I feel about getting older? Resigned!!!

Flowerpower22 Fri 28-Feb-14 10:32:12

For me, getting older is a positive, as three years ago, at 49, I had a heart attack as a result of spontaneous coronary artery dissection. So every year older is a cause to celebrate.