How old do you feel, and how old are you?

85 here and look about 75 (I am believing what they tell me!) The things for me that are less good are that I get tired more quickly than I did, and I get out of breath walking up hills and have to gaze at the view on the way up - (nobody is fooled!). I am still slim and energetic.

However, I have realised that from 80 onwards, physical ability just slowly deteriorates.
I am a widow of 17 years. Two replacement hips and cataracts done but I'm doing lots of rewarding things and loving where I live. I only started admitting my actual age this year.

I'm 85 and, since I've never been 85 before, the way I feel now nw mst be 85! That well-known 'mad bad and dangerous to know' misogynist, Byron, wrote:
A man is as old as he's feeling,
A woman;s as old as she looks'
He died at 36. Go figure!

I'm 61, which amazes me - don't know why but it does. I have a few chronic health issues but am mostly well. The worst problem for me is increasing deafness. I also get more tired than I used to - the deafness plays a part in this. In my head I am still the music student, young married woman and young mother but, of course, my "children" are in their late twenties to mid thirties.

Some days I feel quite young. In my head I’m about 35 until I look in the mirror and catch my Mum in old age, looking back at me. Other days, particularly recently with aches which seem to progress slowly throughout my body, I feel 110. I’m actually 77. The tables have turned and my children now tend to mother me which I find somewhat disconcerting not to mention depressing.

Just coming up to 81 but feel the way I always have.

MayBee70

I’m just turned 74 and I move like a ninety year old these days. I’m still in denial about it and it’s probably why I spend a lot of time lying on the sofa with the dog watching catchup tv or listening to podcasts. Because I still feel like ‘ me’ if I don’t try to move. It’s awfully depressing, isn’t it . Until recently I felt really young for my age, too. I do envy people that don’t have arthritis. Went for a walk with my son and his family the other day and I don’t think he realises that I can’t walk even though I do try to tell him.

I remember telling my mum to ‘hurry up’ when out shopping, it haunts me. I don’t think your children ever realise that their parent that’s always been strong will eventually slow down.

I'm almost 74 and definitely feel much older than I did a couple of years ago. I've been going to the gym for a few months and their computer tells me that I'm my body's age is reduced to 68 now so will keep going, hope I'll eventually be as strong as a teenager!

At 91, I imagine that I am just fortunate to have good health genes (my older sister is 96) and also the determination to work at keeping slim and being very active and also curious.

, An under active thryoid requires one pill, and that's all.
I still ride a bike and play badminton weekly. do Pilates and easyish Zumba {dance exercise} and read non stop.

However, yesterday, coming back from staying in Bali where my daughter lives, all went wrong. The airline lost my case, so I couldn't put on more clothes on my arrival in freezing HeathRow, and I managed to lose my wallet en route. Had to borrow money for the taxi on arrival at my retirement village and got home feeling really stressed and AWFUL and old!! Now having contacted bank, etc. I have no money to hand till new cards arrive, but can borrow!

I do find that when I'm travelling, or talking to young people I come across, I do feel really energised by their conversation, quite unlike most of the people in this retiremement village, where the talk is, inevitably, about their problems, or where's best to eat...!!!
But I have now decided that the discomfort of the long flights to Bali (Indonesia) plus the humid heat (35 degrees) while I'm there is just too much, so that will be my last trip.... so I must be getting old!

By the way, I always accept the help that’s offered and never refuse, as I think they may be scared to offer help to another person then who might genuinely be in need of it.

I’m never offended by people offering to help me. I absolutely love it. I often don’t actually need the help/seat or whatever, but I just love the fact that people offer. I give them a nice smile and say “You’re very kind” and it makes us all feel good. Kindness is still out there.

J52

Hi Kitty it sounds like the operation went well, that’s great. I hope you get to go home soon. Speedy recovery.

Thank you J52. 🤞🤞

M0nica

I have no conception of what it means to feel any specific age.

Mind and body are two entirely different things. My mind has no sense of age. Actually I do not think my body does either, merely a sense of what works and what doesn't.

As I am 82, I do not expect that to change

That’s exactly how I feel. I am still surprised ( and maybe a wee bit offended!) when people offer me help, as in my mind I don’t need it.

I’m 73 and feel about 25 in my head but the body is getting depressingly older. I’m young looking and lucky to have strawberry blonde hair after it was bright ginger. I walk as much as possible but the joints ache. It’s rubbish getting old as a woman because I feel invisible. I try and do lots of crafts especially for charity. Hugs. 🤗

Hi Kitty it sounds like the operation went well, that’s great. I hope you get to go home soon. Speedy recovery.

Well, I should feel old as I was 77 on Monday and on Tuesday I went into hospital to have a kidney removed.

I am doing well enough to possibly go home tomorrow and, when asked the standard "old person questions', realised that none of them applied to me. I am obviously not an old person. I just wish my mother would stop standing in front of me when I look in the mirror!

And i'm dying to get back to my volunteering, choir and meeting friends.

I will be 66 this month. Over the past 6 months, I am feeling older. I do pilates 3 days a week and watch 2 grandchildren who are under 3 two days per week. People say I look like I am in my early 50s. Not quite sure what age I feel.

Still think I'm in my 20's/30's I turned 70 in October. I keep getting told I look nowhere near my age,which is good... My body at times says otherwise....lol

Nannan2

Jane43- i would love to have somewhere like that to reside, but because i still have 2 AC living with me (Both with a disability however) they will not let me apply- ive told them about their various health problems and that they are not your usual twenty- somethings tearing around at high speeds(one son is a disabled driver) nor playing loud music at all, etc they still wont let us apply because my sons arent over 55!!- stupid idea.It's me who would be applying, not them.if they were old enough i'd be in my 90's by then.

That’s unfortunate Nannan2, it would have been ideal for you but it’s good that you have the company of your two ACs.

Oh that made me laugh!

Vivtutt - bring it on ! I’m 74 .Yes I’ve got some health issues ( thank goodness can be managed ) Just embrace being elderly if you can. I’m a widow and miss my DH so so much. I’ve realised I just have to make the best of what’s left for me. I feel so fortunate to still be here!

Up until last year I didn't think about my age, it has never stopped me doing anything and I'm very lucky health wise. I've had a few minor things to deal with in 2025, nothing much but it started to get me down and at times I've felt my age - 76, nearly 77.

Mostly it was a ligament injury which affected how far I walk, and I don't walk the miles per day I used to. May get back to it I don't know. A dental problem too but now sorted. Sleep problems at times get me down.

My trouble is how health and stress affect my mental health. On my own with not a lot of support my mood can dip when I feel I'm dealing with too much. Other times, the majority of days - like today - I'm absolutely fine, feel great. On the whole I feel good for my age but aware it can change in a moment and appreciate every day.

I have spinal stenosis and also had 2 Surgeries for cancer this year. Have you been offered surgery for your spine.
I have found the spinal stenosis very painful, stops me from sleeping and makes me feel irritable and snappy.
What is your experience please

I'm nearly 72 but I have been lucky health wise and I feel about ,60 maybe,62 xx

My 66th birthday yesterday so now I have a bus pass and am lucky to be able to claim a state pension. Recently, for the first time, I have felt older than my actual age. My arthritis is advanced in some joints and I have been walking in the snow and ice very gingerly today, terrified of falling after breaking my foot a while ago. Partly it’s the way others treat me - waiters and shop assistants calling me ‘dear’ and ‘my dear’ has been a surprise! Hoping I’ll feel back to normal when the weather improves.

I’m 74 and didn’t know I was old until several young, complete, strangers offered to carry my bag up a flight of stairs at a railway station where I was changing platforms to catch my connection. I felt even older when the female conductor on yet another train made a young man give up his seat so that I could sit down! I must look quite decrepit!