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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.

grandmajess Thu 20-Feb-14 18:46:12

Best bit is sitting in bed with a cup of tea, watching the rain pouring down, knowing I don't have to get up and go to work

liquorice Thu 20-Feb-14 18:49:18

I'm fine with getting older, I can pass on my experience and knowledge to my daughter and know she'll listen and take it on board, unlike myself, who thought I knew everything!

doretta78 Thu 20-Feb-14 19:08:29

The good thing about getting old is. You can talk rubbish and get away with it !

Bellavilla1 Thu 20-Feb-14 22:29:45

Age is a state of mind only reflectable in the body when something is wrong

tracyliz Thu 20-Feb-14 23:41:52

It's fine until I realise that the wolf whistle from the building site is not directed at me but then I used to complain about that,didn't I ?

MrsStorm69 Fri 21-Feb-14 06:03:56

Its weird, younger people appear to be "kids", like the range of kids expands and older people mysteriously develop a reverse appearance in their looks. What happened to me and my hubby, we seem to be slowing, forgetting, wetting, sleeping and looking every day, a bit closer to "the end" (smile)

MiceElf Fri 21-Feb-14 07:21:52

I have more patience, more wisdom, more experience and less stress. And I have grandchildren - and I'm getting a cat, very soon, now that I have mourned my tabby who died full of years and wisdom a year ago.

storynanny Fri 21-Feb-14 12:46:58

Im happy but my knees are unhappy. I hope my knees last long enough for me to play on the floor with all the current and future grandchildren.

Penstemmon Fri 21-Feb-14 16:38:54

I am happy to get older as it means I now have my lovely grandchildren! The disadvantage is the increase in an ache or two in the morning!

MamaCaz Fri 21-Feb-14 17:12:01

I might be getting older by day, but by night, in my dreams, I seem to be permanently stuck in the 1970s!
That sounds great, but isn't because the dreams always revolve around the most painful memories of my teenage years, the ones that should be long-forgotten by now.

ukraines Fri 21-Feb-14 17:20:11

Growing old is getting wiser.You are as old as you feel..

smeeth99 Fri 21-Feb-14 17:22:49

It worries me a bit, I worry a lot about the future and what it brings, but there's nothing we can do about growing older!

Deeksie Fri 21-Feb-14 17:23:40

I've enjoyed my life & growing old gas enabled me to step aside more & view problems more logically rather than in my youth panicking & rushing into the wrong decsision ! Thank you old age for more wisdom !

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.

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!

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!

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

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

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!

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!!!

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.

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.

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

Getting older scares the living daylights out of me

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.

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.

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!