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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.

RoseyGem89 Wed 19-Feb-14 02:04:02

Getting older means you no longer walk on water, but rather wade through memories, fishing for wisdom.

tompob Wed 19-Feb-14 06:02:34

getting older is certainly tiresome, the things I did with ease now take some effort, I can still do most things it just takes too long

essexkit Wed 19-Feb-14 07:23:39

I have recently inherited 2 step grandchildren and delighted to say Gok Wan would be proud of me...they are often mistaken for my offspring : )

ginny Wed 19-Feb-14 08:39:23

Getting old is better than the obvious alternative. Every day should be celebrated.

harrigran Wed 19-Feb-14 10:22:02

I am just happy that I reached the age I am and have grandchildren that give endless joy. I have my health and a caring family, I couldn't wish for more.

Gagagran Wed 19-Feb-14 11:28:53

The past is history and the future's a mystery. Today is a gift which is why it's called the present.

annemac101 Wed 19-Feb-14 14:22:32

Hurtling towards my sixties I now realise,I'm never going to be a size ten,I'm never going to learn the right way to put my make up on and I'm never going to look any younger, and do you know what,I don't care,I'm happy as I am.

pmillington Wed 19-Feb-14 15:01:37

Why am I still getting spots???

kittylester Wed 19-Feb-14 16:54:41

Today, my 90 year old mother told me that I don't look bad for my age! confused

knitnut Wed 19-Feb-14 19:01:47

I'm quite happy about getting older as I can see my family grow and develop. I am so proud of them. The only downfall is the odd ache and pain that comes with age, but I suppose you can't have everything.

lucy120606 Thu 20-Feb-14 00:12:56

Even though I am quite young to be a grandma, (my step daughter's got 2 boys) I've always been the youngest, youngest of 2 brothers and a sister, youngest in the year at school, hanging around with older people growing up. But all of a sudden...I'm having to think hang on I'm getting to old to wear that dress, my mother telling me I'm not 25 anymore and its all a bit odd....but I'm going to enjoy every minute, irrelevant of age you never know which day could be your last and its all about living life to the full

bigman13 Thu 20-Feb-14 00:45:47

Don't worry about old age ,It doesn't last long

sue01 Thu 20-Feb-14 06:50:23

I would really love to revisit my youth with the experience... and yes, the wisdom I've gained over the past 60 odd years. Actually can I have my younger body back too please ? I'd appreciate it more second time round !

Loobyvee Thu 20-Feb-14 07:31:23

Getting older is always priding yourself on your musical knowledge and suddenly realising you haven't a clue who most people are in the charts. Bit of a shock but not something you would want to change!

suzannedrummond Thu 20-Feb-14 08:05:18

looking forward to having no mortgage but hope i still have enough energy to play with grandchildren when they come allong

Rache7 Thu 20-Feb-14 08:19:29

Gertting old is quite scary to begin with. I look around at others and sometimes worry that I have not achieved a great deal in life in comparison. I think as you get older you then come to realise that everyone is different. People progress at different stages in different aspects of life. Some people are ahead career wise, others are ahead family wise.

Also as time goes on, and you go through the experiances of losses in life you begin to ask yourself... what is old anyway? Some people die young and some people can live up to a 100 plus. So how can you know when you are truly old. Just enjoy the time you have besides worry is said to have an impact on your life expectancy.

noahsark Thu 20-Feb-14 08:24:22

You know you're getting old when your children say to their children things like ' well we didn't have computers or mobile phones when we were young'

jackiemc24 Thu 20-Feb-14 08:28:30

Getting older (when does that start? 50, 60, 70...?)is all about ups and downs. The downside is the definite increase in wrinkles, but the upside is that your eyes now struggle to see them!

Jackiemc24

renaplumridge Thu 20-Feb-14 08:48:03

I hate getting older. Everything aches at one time or another and looking back at photos when my children were small is a little sad that that time has gone.

Footpather Thu 20-Feb-14 09:24:36

Enjoy what you have while you still have it. Don't limit yourself because you think you ought to.

jinglbellsfrocks Thu 20-Feb-14 10:37:40

Old age - the time when the favourite topic of conversation is how the blackbird bullies the thrush in the garden, and when going out to dinner is always done at lunchtime because you don't want to miss seeing those really nice presenters on your own regional news programme.

See, it's not all bad. smile

rosie2014 Thu 20-Feb-14 11:16:34

I like to embrace every stage in my life and this is no different.

From once I feel useful to my family and society and can make a contribution I don't dwell on it. I love doing creative things that I put on hold when the children were little and I had to juggle. We have to make room for the new generation and part of it is growing old.

suebuckman Thu 20-Feb-14 14:16:46

I'm not keen on the various minor ailments that I've started to get, but I'm less worried about my looks and clothes than I was when I was younger. I'm also looking forward to getting my mortgage paid off so that I'll have some money, at last, to do the things that I want to do.

daiseydaisey Thu 20-Feb-14 16:23:19

Brilliant to have got this far and bring on the rest - but who is the person I see in the mirror who looks like my nan?

shirlz51 Thu 20-Feb-14 16:38:45

I still think it's true,You're only as old as you feel,but that said at 62,its a good job I am retired,because I do have far less energy,and do like to take things somewhat more slowly.This has happened quite rapidly over the last 18 monthes