Older age

Thank you for the continuing posts.
I am reading them all.
I am not sure how to respond.

Sorry to those who have lost people in their lives.
And those whose lives have taken unexpected turns.

I will take a look at the retirement book recommended.

I do need to get a bit fitter.
I think this is helping me feel maybe a bit older in age than I am.

Anyone else remember Barry Cryer saying he was now so old, he didn't even risk buying green bananas? Love that!

I love that too!
I need to take that on board.

I think I know the feeling - I have always had a project of sorts on the go, whether in my career or planning something for the house or garden or holidays.
But since DH died nearly 7 years ago, AND the pandemic - or possibly a combination of the two - I no longer feel the urge to make changes to the house( at 76 will I even be here in 10 years?) or any plans beyond the immediate future.
That phrase “If I’m spared” lurks at the back of my mind but hey, so what?
I’ll just bumble along, trying to appreciate the present, look forward to the short term future and hope “that I’m spared” !

However, in your early 60’s you are way too young to be thinking this way.

fancythat For instance, how to plan, when I have no idea if I will live for another 2 years or 20.

I'm not one to plan. I do paperwork on Mondays. We had as many children as we could, as soon as we could. We're devout Catholics, go to Church as often as possible. Those are my life plans.

Not much are they? Perhaps attempt no plans, just don't worry and float along? I'm quite a happy old woman, plan-less and content.

JamesandJon33

Good grief 65 as old!! I shall be 80 this Christmas., with quite a lot of life in me yet.

How have you lived since 65 to now? 15 years?

How did you plan? Did your plans work?

Did you do everything you intended to?

In late 60s many health issues- am no longer a planner/ live alone -celebrate each day - we don’t know what’s around the corner -just rec’d Attendance Allowance so am celebrating that &a Blue Badge 👌 [Henetha] please contact Citizens Advice - they know how to appeal and fill forms out correctly 🤞

Acegik

My DH sadly passed away 4 months ago aged 84 and we still had plans. I'm almost 80
I lost my confidence, and only now beginning to regain it.
I know it will always be painful, but the rawness has receded, and I'm trying to live as he would want me to.
Am shortly starting voluntary work, and regularly meeting friends.
Family live in the USA where I have just visited. First flight on my own ever, and all good.

Condolences

My DH sadly passed away 4 months ago aged 84 and we still had plans. I'm almost 80
I lost my confidence, and only now beginning to regain it.
I know it will always be painful, but the rawness has receded, and I'm trying to live as he would want me to.
Am shortly starting voluntary work, and regularly meeting friends.
Family live in the USA where I have just visited. First flight on my own ever, and all good.

Well this is all about wisdom really, I suppose. We all have to work through things. Knowing what to plan and when to just wing it.
I do think "be prepared" is a good motto.
I had no idea I would still be here at 78 and doing as much as I do.
Think ageing well is an interesting subject. Continuing to socialise and trying to keep active is key imo.

I know how you feel OP. I’m coming up to 63 and starting to think about how long I will see my grandchildren for, when will my health start to falter etc. but then I try to rationalise things. I work in a Children’s Hopsice, I have recently lost a friend, one of my best friends has lung cancer and I have lost family members younger than myself, including my sister when she was 30. When I’m feeling low I always remember the phrase ‘only the privileged few get to experience old age’. I feel very lucky to have got this far!

Since retirement I have been busy volunteering and doing many of the social things I've always done. I lost a lot of weight and felt fitter and was more active than I had been in years, then suddenly had a knee problem which struck out of the blue. I don't know what I did so don't know how to prevent a recurrence. It's been three months and still not completely right. It has made me feel old. I'll be 70 next month and had been looking forward with lots of positivity, but now I worry about my mobility and my ability to do all the things I had planned. I have friends both younger and older with significant mobility issues but didn't see myself in that category, though now I'm not so sure! I want to enjoy my young grandchildren but worry I won't beable to keep up!

No one knows what the future brings. I retired at 60, hubby had already retired-we were lucky to be able to.
Had a few years holidaying etc, then my mum died suddenly and unexpectedly aged 91. Dad came to live with us because he couldn't live alone due to his health -our choice- he's 93.
We just go with his "flow". We look after him, keep him fed/warm and take him to appointments and small trips out. Holidays are on hold...but that's a small price to pay. We can't plan much, some things we have planned in and then couldn't go at the last minute.
We realise there's less time in front of us now but try to make the best of every day. So my point is, you can plan but be aware that something may come along and interfere with those plans. 💕

fancythat , it's a good thing to put things in order like your wills and getting the PoAs sorted. And start getting used to living with uncertainty.
But you're really not old yourself. Enjoy life, do something that's outside your comfort zone. And, maybe you do this already, but if you feel that you've had a fortunate life so far, give something back, either your time or your money or both.
I'm 79 and I can honestly say that the years between 60 and 77, when my DH died aged 87, were wonderful.

I’m not a big planner a week ahead at a time for me, happy with my lot. When you have chronic illnesses I don’t think you can plan years ahead I prefer to take things as they come. I have little goals if I accomplish them I’m happy yes

I know what you mean I was 66 a few weeks ago and got upset if anyone mentioned my birthday, I didn’t want to celebrate it I just wanted to forget about it.
I would look at my 7 year old granddaughter and feel upset thinking I wouldn’t see her grow up and when we are thinking about doing things in the house I feel what’s the point at my age, to think a few years ago I was looking forward to being 66 to have my state pension, now it just confirms the fact that I’m officially an OAP

i will be 77 next week although that is really just a number.
i haven't thought about getting old - in fact i have refused to be old .......... i am growing older as are we all.
i have several female friends who are in their 70s and i also have several male friends who are in their late 60s (one of my male friends is my partner).
i live my life as i want and give no thought to when i might die - i have no control over this and actually could have died on four occasions in my past. but i didn't die on any occasion so don't worry about it.

I had a lot more energy in my early sixties, so if you enjoy travelling etc. do it now as late seventies, I find it frustrating that I tire more. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak. If you need to downsize, do it now.

I’m ok financially, but any intelligent human being is conscious that life will come to an end and think more about it as we age.
Only animals escape navel gazing (a perfectly natural thing to do).
I find this a more peaceful, contented time even with health issues, so there are compensations from the fret and bustle of the preceding years. I savour things more and am not distracted. Think of the positives.

I’m a take each day as comes type of person. I lost my parents and other special people close to me by the time I was 21. I used to say I’d be happy if I lived to see my DCs grow up, now I relish every day I have with them and myDGDs. I’m very fortunate that I still have older brothers around. So my advice would be live each day to fullest.

I don’t think 60 is older age.
I think you’re being a bit daft.

I started living my life at 60.

I suggest you do the same.

Know thyself
Well, I’ve just worked it all out, the reason why I don’t know myself.
According to todays findings:
Each phase has its own set of problems.
Age birth to 18 months I was a baby.
Age 18 months to 2 years I was an infant.
Age 2 years - 4years I was pre school.
Age 5-8 years I was a junior.
Age 9-12 I was a pre teen.
Age 13-19 I was a teenager.
Age 20-35 I was an early onset adult.
Age 35-40 I was peri menopausal.
Ahead 41-55 I was menopausal.
Aged 56-72 I am post menopausal.
Aged 73 plus I am ‘What the was that all about?’ 🥰

Just as I get to know myself in each phase, I changed!

Hi fancy that.
Read The Artists Way for retirement by Julia Cameron.
It helped me. I am now 72.

Early 60s now seems quite young to me. I used to worry about it a bit back then but lately realised that was a total waste of time. Just carry on and enjoy life.

Anyone else remember Barry Cryer saying he was now so old, he didn't even risk buying green bananas? Love that!

I will be 74 on Tuesday and I now take each day as it comes! My health has not been so good this year due to diagnosis of Ménière’s Disease so I never know what the day will bring! However I focus on what I CAN do not on what I CANNOT do! I think it is the only way to get on with life so I am!!!
Embrace your health and opportunities

I am 83, live for the day and enjoy what you have, stop worrying about the future, it is interest paid on nothing.

I asked about this somewhere else but have forgotten where. Did anyone else not get their daily GN letter for the last couple of days? Can't work.out why, not in bin or spam. Will.wzot here for any response.

Make the most of your sixties.
I think my sixties were a good decade for me, the only issue being that DH carried on working for most of those years. By the time he stopped, his health was less good, which limited what we could do together. But conversely he didn't mind my going off to do things myself.
I’m now in two minds whether or not to renew my passport. I’m not keen on the hassle of flying, but I am reluctant to close the door to foreign travel.