I hate being 60

When my first child was born, my father was in his mid-60s. He felt he was too young to be a grandfather.

I know I was kidding myself but I thought of myself as middle aged until 70, then decided I was later middle age and stopped thinking about it until I was 77 this year, when I had to accept I am elderly. If I say out loud that I am 77 I think I am talking about someone else, it can’t be me, can it? The 60 s party girl? Yes it can.

I keep busy, joined u3A, love walking with two different groups, started to paint, not very well, and enjoy the garden. Lunches out with friends are lovely though the conversation tends to focus a little too much on health issues but luckily I am fairly fit at present, so to me 60 is prime, don’t waste time worrying , you are still young enough to take up new hobbies, make new friends because we all know the alternative….
I wish I was still in my 60 s, I would definitely have travelled more.
Enjoy, enjoy and if your husband isn’t bothered then join things on your own as I did. I have met so many pleasant people over the last few years. Life is good.

What person in their right mind would wish to wallow in misery and worry?

We are allowed our feelings, we are permitted to throw them out here and seek kindred spirits.

We are allowed to feel unwell, worried about winter, disappointed with family and so on.

Please get out and about. I traveled easily when I was 60. Today over 75 I am a bit worried about health insurance if I leave the EU, so I just visit EU cities for 5 days at a time. Otherwise, join local clubs and walk everyday to keep healthy. Take advantage of only being 60. I still work at the local townhall ‘doing’ English conversation groups, I can’t call it work.

Honestly 60 is great, and I am not rich and not going on fab holidays or living it up. But somehow you get to your 6th decade, menopause behind, no pressure any more to even try being beautiful. You can relax into who you are and still young enough to really take pleasure in all the things you never noticed or had time for. I am loving it. I think 80 is when old age starts proper!!

I wish Franski - ie re no pressure to even try being beautiful.

I was never beautiful or pretty - but I did find out how to be attractive and I miss that and so I'm blowed if I could even tell you the last time I looked in a mirror (as I don't recognise myself). Even though I basically pretty much officially terminated my "dating" back in my 50's (due to many mens wish to have a higher-rated woman than they are themselves so to say - which is not good from a womans pov) at 60 I think people tend to still be fairly recognisable - but at my early 70's it's definitely "Who is she?" if I do catch a glimpse of myself. I so envy the occasional woman still looking pretty good in her 70's - and wonder how much that cost ....

My take is that the 70's are a sort of "in between decade".....and have a very varied mix of feelings about it if I reach 80.

I still have the photo of me at 60 on my bus pass which was the best present ever.
I have travelled the length and breadth of Scotland on it.

My 60s were also the years when most of my DGC were being born. I have 7 now and that's me lot!

My 70s haven't been quite so wonderful what with losing DH after a rather long illness and plenty of friends too.

But I'm learning a new language (Gaelic) I have been to NZ to stay with DS, on my own.

I have a new hip and 2 new eyes after operations.
I still make pottery and exhibit it.

I am still very busy and life is full.
I've just this minute booked theatre tickets for Saturday night and I'm making plans to go by bus and ferry to stay with a dear friend who has retired to the Western Isles.
There ain't enough hours in the day. I'm 77.

Ofcourse there are times when getting older isn't much fun but as long as we keep as healthy as possible there's lots to enjoy.

Crossstitchfan

Thanks Oreo!
I feel so much better now that you’ve confirmed that, at 80, I’m elderly, a word I loathe for the picture it conjures up!! ☠️

😂😜You’re welcome.

Davida1968

One of my relatives would say: "What's the alternative....?"

All of mine would say it 😄

Well I hate being 77 with my heart packing up. .....

I lost my mum 7 years ago- then split with my partner of 21 years. Then my dog got diabetes and I became tied to the clock as his carer.
At the same time, I helped with sibling grandchildren when my young grandson endured cancer treatment. Then I had my other daughter’s young children for a month when she had a breakdown. Then I ran my brother to several cancer appointments for months on end until he passed away.

Although I was extremely tied, I set up my own over 60’s group during this time. I’ve made some very close friends.

Finally, I lost my dear little dog in August and it hurt badly.
But I got my freedom back:

I’ve just come back from a fortnight abroad with one of my friends and I’m looking forward to the next one. I have often holidayed alone and have no qualms about doing that again.
I’ve got my social life back and I’m making plans to go out socialising as often as possible.
I’m coming up 70 but I’m making up for lost time. Start making a life for yourself!

I wasn't happy about being 60, I well remember. But you do get used to being old. I'm 88 now and there are so many things I can't do. But most days, unless I'm feeling really down, I still find joy in the things I can still do .

At 80 I never ever think of myself as elderly I don’t feel that name fits me at all I know I m lucky I m still very strong and able and pretty fit I know I work harder than, many young people my work is my enjoyment as is my garden my allotment and my happy place the beach and sea
I’m not stupid and I know there are differences I feel the cold more I haven’t quite as much confidence todo new things, occassional aches or pains but I can honestly say I enjoy it even when I m just piddling around doing nothing much
I haven’t had any age that I ve disliked although I ve had MANY downs as well as ups in my life
AT 60 I was having a ball after two divorces and happily very happily single
Some people are old at 30 and some like my cousin are young at 100

Me too ! 😊

I’ll be 77 yrs young this year and yes it’s really only a number. I get lots of compliments because I look so much younger. Time is running by very fast and I’m doing my best to live well, eat well and spend all the money I have - you can’t take it with you

Very interesting reading all these ideas and experiences.

I do think it's harder to be up beat once the aches and pains set in. And the dreaded Black Dog refuses to stay in his kennel.

Sorry for your situation Luckygirl.

Lovely photo multicolourswapshop

Some great reponses here.

Why did you finish work? You must have had some idea of what you would do when your working life was over- but you have so much left to give so why not go back to work?

My sister finished work far too early and became old overnight- I am four years older but people think she is older than me. Not so much in looks but in attitude.

Her DH has become the same since he finished work- the pair of them are like Darby and Joan, although he is much older than her and I think that makes the difference.

She 'tuts' when I tell her some of the things I've been doing, as if I am expected to behave in a certain way now I'm 'old.'

If I was you I would find something of service to do for others and throw away the tick list.

What you get out of life is what you put in.

There are those who’s cup is half full and others it is half empty, if you are 60+ with good health whatever wealth level you are there is lots you can do “IF” you make the effort.

You may have 30 yrs in front of you do all the things you couldn’t when you were working or child rearing, if you husband doesn’t want to join you leave him at home do things with friends. Many women find “travel buddies” even if they don’t see each other much otherwise it’s someone familar to go places with.

There are no excuses at 60, 70 or even 80 if you have good health.

There are those who's cup has had big holes drilled in the bottom too.

StripeyGran

There are those who's cup has had big holes drilled in the bottom too.

Yes but the OP does not appear to be one of those

I’m happy to be almost 67, as I’m retired. My DH will be 70 tomorrow.

Although both of us have much declined health we try hard to be positive and appreciate what we have and can do. There’s lots of things we wish we had done but there’s also lots we have done and remember fondly.

Live for today

David49

There are those who’s cup is half full and others it is half empty, if you are 60+ with good health whatever wealth level you are there is lots you can do “IF” you make the effort.

You may have 30 yrs in front of you do all the things you couldn’t when you were working or child rearing, if you husband doesn’t want to join you leave him at home do things with friends. Many women find “travel buddies” even if they don’t see each other much otherwise it’s someone familar to go places with.

There are no excuses at 60, 70 or even 80 if you have good health.

Yes! Completely agree

henetha

I wasn't happy about being 60, I well remember. But you do get used to being old. I'm 88 now and there are so many things I can't do. But most days, unless I'm feeling really down, I still find joy in the things I can still do .

I am glad you said you get used to it.

I am not there yet I guess[in age or emotionally], but fast approaching.

I know someone past 90. She said she never felt old or even thought about it, until 91 or 92.

I sometimes think this forum does not help me.
The subject of age or things to do with it, is daily.
But I cant find a better forum to be on presently.

Plus which, the brickbats, dingbats or whatever it is called of posters[not meaning this thread], make me stronger.

I think part of it all maybe, well to me anyway, it is like waiting for something. I never do well with that.
So waiting to be old[which is how my age feels to me], is the same as that.
Just had my lightbulb moment!

Thank you henetha.