I hate being 60

I live in a terrific independent living conmmunity for people 55 and over. Our homes are beautiful, and our lives (most of us) are very active. The people in their 60's and 70's are considered the "kids." People are still doing all sorts of things in their 80's and 90's! Tonight, for instance, there is a sign-making party for anyone planning to go to a political rally this weekend. There is nothing "old" about 60, for heaven's sake.
Take care of your health, and get out there and enjoy yourself!

60 is not old when you are around 80! I was still working at 60 and driving 70 miles to look after my GCs. I didn't feel old.
Take advantage of good health and enjoy your life. Focusing on your age is not helpful.

I only became a granny at 67 - Gdcs are now 10, 9 and 5. I did have more energy at 67 though!

60 is old sure, but it isn’t elderly, that’s around 80.We may all be on ‘the home straight’ now but can still enjoy life.Old age doesn’t come with a manual to help navigate it, but instead of thinking you’re a 60 year old senior just continue thinking that you’re you!

I loved being 60. I was so happy to retire but soon got busy doing what I wanted when I wanted if I wanted.
Knee and hip replacements followed by COVID lockdown etc was restricting but now at 70 I feel my horizons have broadened again. I want to make the most of my health and wellbeing and enjoy my family.

I have life and vigour and a happy nature, it did not happen by chance

I disagree, chance is a factor.
Genetics play a large part and having serious illnesses before that age makes you appreciate each day you survive thereafter.

No, don't get a dog (much as I love dogs!).

Buy/hire a big yacht and sail round the world!

It really is very hard to come to terms with being older and becoming old. OP obviously has not yet come to terms. It is a shock when reality hits, a little bit like grieving for the youth that is gone

Don`t dwell on it OP, do the best you can for yourself and realise that there are no second chances to amend perhaps poor diet and perhaps lifestyle, so that you go forward into old age with life and vigour

I have life and vigour and a happy nature, it did not happen by chance. I had that awakening call and decided what I should do. Fortunately I like my lifestyle very much and am in my 8th decade without illness or medications and can cycle, keep my balance etc

OP you will feel much better about being old if you can make yourself accept that you will never be younger than today and your life going forward is up to you. Wallowing now will do you no good at all

You mention your son, your Mum and your husband.

What about you? Maybe you got lost in all this somehow.

The conventional advice will be to join things and/or get a dog.

so do the things you want to while you still can, and enjoy the rest of your life
👏👏👏

I’ve just turned 62 & feel so old.
The best of everything is behind me, all I’ve got to look forward to is Ill heath & death.

Good grief!

Like pably, I didn't become a Granny until I was older (nearly 63) and we've visited family overseas, gone to places I'd never visited before, one of them I'd wanted to visit since I was 11!
Took up new hobbies, joined new groups.

60 for me was fine,72 now and 70 was the one that stopped in my tracks really and started to think about how long I’ve got left what my health will be like.
I am quite healthy at the moment (as far as I know )I still work part-time in a high dementia care home which gives me some purpose
My youngest son is in the process of buying a house and moving out. I took money out of my house so he could have a good deposit. Get a nice house with his girlfriend but it has hit me hard, better now but the thought of him not being here has really Affected me. Is totally ridiculous, cause he’s only getting a house in the same town but can’t control feelings I suppose..
He is 32 and now is the time and I just thank goodness I have the way of it all to give him a good deposit and wish him and his girlfriend well which I really do,…

I wasn't a granny till I was 64, we were both retired by then and could visit our granddaughter, 300miles away, stayed for a week, and loved it. it was good just being able to do what we wanted at any time. because we were always up early when we worked, I felt guilty for a while having a lie in...but I got over that..now we're both over 80 and quite content to be home as we both have athritis, knees hands and feet, so do the things you want to while you still can, and enjoy the rest of your life

Crikey - sorry op, I’m not much help am I!

I know exactly how you feel.
I’ve just turned 62 & feel so old.
The best of everything is behind me, all I’ve got to look forward to is Ill heath & death.
I miss my kids being little. I miss striving for a better life, working hard to provide for them.
I miss the ‘hungry years’. ( as the song goes)
I actually think I’m depressed about it all tbh.

Health is indeed another angle on this.

I read somewhere recently that people usually have 2 or 3 points in life at which their health takes a "dive downwards". At 72 I'm inclined to believe them - as my own health feels like it's done a "downwards dive" at around 69 or so (though it's all very difficult to disentangle from the fact it could be Covid that caused left ear deafness and loss of sense of smell about then). I think other things that happened around that time are probably not Covid-related and am working on them.

So - be aware that your body might decide to do a "health dive" and then you'll be having to spend time/money trying to figure out what it's done and putting it right as far as possible. People do vary - and a couple of friends of mine have reported their fathers being pretty okay until around 90 - and one of them even went off on a world cruise with his own father at around that sort of age.

So your body might start playing-up or might not in a couple of years or so time....and you need to get in anything visibly more "physical" - in case your body stops you later on.

What did Doris Day say?
The trouble with middle age is that you soon grow out of it.
You are one of our young'uns, and look how lively we all are on this forum.

At 61 you are still young enough to travel solo and enjoy doing the things you want to do. I have always felt that being one of a partnership is limiting because there is a danger you will lack confidence uness they are with you. Then when they die you sit about like a broken clock with the main spring gone.

I retired at 60 from employed work, went into consultancy and began a side hustle in antiques which is a nice little earner now. Fortunately I dont have a partner or children to consider. I always said when I retired I would get up and go to bed when I liked. Ive always been a night owl.

Last night I had a relative round for a meal. After he left went to bed at 9pm then got up at 3 am to facetime with one of my international colleagues. We are working on a projhect together. I love being up and doing when everyone else is asleep. It gives me a sense of power and wellbeing as though I am doing something I could not do if I still had a 9-5 job.

Physically my mobility is poor and I have painful arthritis but at 81 I am making the best of all the opportunities.

You're still youngish at 60, kiddo.
We all feel a bit nearer the edge of the cliff but it doesn't pay to depress yourself thinking about it.
Live in the present and make the most of your health and strength while you have it.
I agree with posters who have said that you should organise things that you want to do if your partner won't join in.
Perhaps join clubs or organisations where you might find new friends .
Good luck

I was great when I was 60. I could do whatever I wanted - gardening, decorating, travelling, visiting art galleries, museums. Since I have been 80 four years ago. I have been so restricted due to falls and other problems. Make the most of being 60. You are in your prime.

I never imagined I would live as long as I have. If I had known, I would have studied for a career ready for when my children grew up. I wanted to be a stay at home mum and that's what I did, but I should have made plans for life after motherhood.

Whitewavemark2

😄😄 wait until you are 80.

Actually life is full of surprises at 80.

Every morning I wake up, check everything is sort of working - think - I’m still here and off I go to enjoy my day.

😁

And think "I'm still here!"

At 60 I was travelling around the world. Don’t let these years of no work and good health go to waste in wishing things were different.

If you’re husband doesn’t want to do stuff, think about what you want to do and do it! It’s up to you to make your life what you want. 🙂

Er, 76 here….
60 is Spring Chicken territory, to me anyway…

Must say I’m not looking forward to 80 - now that really does sound old….
But as long as I’m still reasonably fit and mobile - and in possession of a full set of marbles…
Very lucky so far, I know.

I am also 82, and the months are flying past. At 60, I gave up my stressful full-time job and found three part-time ones. I had paid off my mortgage (London) and needed to top up my then non-existent savings.

I met a lady at one of my employment places. We are now good friends, email regularly, and meet up for coffee.