Turning 65 and feeling panicky ..why ?

I'm 65 in August, I'll be entering my final year at work and putting a big chart to count off the days somewhere out of view. I've just started running again, doing lots of exercise and I've lost 2.5 stone. All this is because I want an active and healthy retirement if possible. I feel better now, and more optimistic than I have for some time.

I am nearly 80 and getting the wobbles. Sixty five is the prime of life. Enjoy it.

Its important that you are allowed these feelings regardless of the thoughts of others in how long you have lived and how long others haven't lived. I am sure you are more resilient than you think. Take care xx

Bea65 I can really identify with your post having turned 65 last month. I was fine with 60 but for some reason 65 suddenly felt really old. Not helped by telling our family that after lockdowns we had decided we did not want to spend our later years in our current house and so would be selling and looking for a flat in a nicer quieter area. They all assumed we were talking about sheltered housing!
I was horrified as I feel we are nowhere near ready for that step. In retrospect I can see the logic and think I am a bit in denial.
I do appreciate that we are very lucky to still be here. I must say I found Franbern's lovely positive post very inspiring.
We are determined to enjoy the years to come as best we can while we (mainly) have our health.

I'll be 70 on Saturday and I'm honoured that they're marking my next milestone with Trooping of the Colour

I feel no different apart from stiffer knees, I'm still 21 in my head.

You're a mere youngster Bea. I wish I was 65 again. I'm 18 years older than you and still standing.
But sorry to read of your problems and do hope that you will be ok. Let's hope the new meds well for you. Good luck.

Thank you all for getting me out of the headspace i was in..like some of you have lost close family members and friends in their 50s and am lucky to be here having had mild stroke few years ago resulting in mobility probs.. usually feel ok but had panic attack in work few weeks ago and currently on new meds to deal with my anxiety ..

This coming weekend I will celebrating my 80th birthday. I have some health problems, all dealt with via medication and my main problem is mobility. However, so much technology these days, that is not a terrible problem.

Having moved into my lovely flat (18 months ago), in a town 150 miles away from where I had always lived - I can only say that I am happier, and enjoyng my life, probably more than at any other time of my life.

No worries, about work, no mortgage, only use my little car for my weekly supermarket shop, and my very occasional trip to London. No guilt about not being busy all of the time, all my children are well into their adulthood (yes, a few concerns about g.children - but these are not really my worries).
Life is good and I can spend each day doing as a I wish, how I wish.
I retired from work just over ten years ago, took me a good three years to cope with retirement - but am loving my wonderful lazy life now.
My main ambitions are
1. To continue my life as it is - with completely unsupported living
2. To Live long enough to see, at least the older of my g.children, graduate from Uni
3. To continue enjoying myself.

Agree with you about holidays Lucky perhaps when you have already travelled extensively, you realise that there’s no place like home!

Don't panic - some of us are even older and still ticking along.

It is interesting to hear all the people who desire to travel. It does not really float my boat - I like to go to the sea now and again; but I am privileged to live in the most beautiful place on earth (as far as I am concerned) and when we used to return from holidays we used to heave a sigh and bask in the beauty around us. I began to sonder why we bothered to go at all!!

Well said Marydoll!
Exactly Kate1949 let’s be grateful whatever age we are lucky to have reached!

Hi Bea65, I turned 65 in April and it does feel very different to me than the early 60’s... I quite like it now I am past the wobble! Good luck... x

I was 65 in April, I feel no different. I try and enjoy every day, not everyone gets the chance to become older.

I'm 65 and it's ok. I always think of what Joan Collins said when she turned 80, it's better than the alternative!

Absolutely agree with a lot of the above! Age is but a number….. Growing older a privilege not granted to everyone x

Lizzies
I know 2 women who are both in their 80s who take their motohomes to Spain every winter.
One of them still navigates the old way with paper maps. ?

It's a bit daunting getting older but I agree with Shinamae My brother died at 24, my nephew at 16 and his mum, my sister-in-law at 49.

Do you not fear or resent old age, it is a privilege denied to many. My brother died at 49……

It is a privilege to have reached old age. You have had a life. Think of the millions who die young - be grateful for life.

Ah bless you! Don’t panic, like you I turn 65 in a couple of weeks, tbh I’m in a good place now, and quite happy to be this age. It is what it is, and preferable to the alternative!

I had a meltdown when I turned 70 in November 2020. I seemed to have a series of illnesses that started in January 2021 and culminatied in a serious allergic reaction, 7 hours in A and E, then a secondary reaction. In between was a cataract operation and no-one had mentioned the aftercare. Once I came to my senses and stopped feeling sorry for myself, I realised it was nothing to do with age, it was coincidence. I was also lucky there was nothing seriously wrong me, I was simply over reacting.

I turned 65 last year. My husband had just died the month before and I was lost for a while. Then I thought that he wouldn’t want me to go into my shell as I so easily could have, so I took voluntary redundancy when it was offered, bought a micro camper and also started volunteering for a charity. As Marydoll says get going, you don’t know what the future holds, but you need to make the best of today.

Your not in the departure lounge yet Bea65.
I wake up every morning thinking " yehhh i`m still here ".
And again sound advice off nanna8.

Don't worry, it's worse when you turn 70! We have done heaps of travelling in our 60s and it is worth all the inconvenience of planes and boats and trains for the memories you have. We have another big trip planned so I only hope it will go ahead. Don't put anything off, you may not get another chance is good advice. Also- you can't take anything with you so if you have the money, do it. Spend the kids' inheritance!

do what you can while you can.
little meltdowns are allowed at any age.