My "Great Aunt" is in her early 90's. She doesn't tell people how old she is because she says the rest of the day she thinks about it and it just ruins her day. She has lived a long full - active - life and doesn't see her self as that old! She just stopped dancing a couple years ago - she has out lived 3 dancing partners and doesn't want another to die!
Well, Gregg, look at it this way--it is ONLY a number! It is how you feel and how comfortable you are in your skin that counts.. I am much closer to 60 and it is hilarious to hear co workers say,you CAN'T have 35 yo children and be a grandmother. Yes, I have been blessed with some decent genes.There isn't a day that goes by that I don't wonder how much longer I can do a very physical job--every day is one more day closer to retiring and having a FUN job!!In the grand scheme of things, the decisions that I have made over the years ( while some weren't great) are what have made me the person I have become and for that I am very thankful. I find I can get away with saying certain things that I wouldn't have said even 10 yrs ago. I no longer worry about what people think of me--either ya like me or ya don't-LOL! If it makes you feel better, my husband is ALWAYS getting the senior citizen discounts just because he has silver hair--while I get carded! I am the older one!!!
I love your great aunt's attitude!! Mid life has really thrown me for a loop too. Just falling apart since I passed the half century mark! No fair!
Greg44 and other posters, I also feel your pain! I'm now 45 and the day I turned that age, Facebook started sending me ads for "Mature Dating Websites" and low-cost dentures! I have also struggled with regret over poor choices I made in the past, but I just try to remember that at the time, I was making the best choice that I knew how to make. Everyone is doing this, all the time, no matter what their age is.
By the way, I live in Southern Florida, where there are a LOT of elderly people. One billboard my husband and I always laugh at when we pass it is an ad for a hospital, which says "Outlive Your Foursome." DH and I agree it would get more traction if it said "Outlive Your Threesome!"
I had a very hard time hitting 50; that was the first time age bothered me. Now I'm 64 and can't believe 14 years have passed. My advice is to find something good every day and keep busy. Yes, we have a lot of aches and pains as we age, but there is always someone who's much worse off. So, try to enjoy each day! Have a good one!
I have to say that as I am pushing 45 I have aches and pains I never thought I would have plus a back that does not always cooperate when I am under stress.....I also read a recent article in Newsweek about midde aged men who were well educated and had impressive credentials and formerly held high power jobs - being completely unable to find similar work upon being laid off. This made me feel grateful for life choices I have made to take me away from that kind of life - I feel I know myself better than some and at 44 I know what is going to work for me and what is not (for the most part) but I am still willing to take some chances, take some risks, and have some adventures. One thing I have found for myself is that I like being free - debt and working in an office just don't work for me. I also don't like the idea of working 50 or 51 weeks a year with very minimal time off -for me, life is way too short to live this way. So to continue to accomodate that, I am gettting rid of more possessiios and letting more things go.....Rob
There are changes I've wanted to make in my life, and changes I have had to make in my life. Instead of blaming myself as being weak and not able to do what I used to, I blame it on the onset of older age, something I can't control, so it is not my fault.
Now I actually have to focus on minding my journey through life, instead of chasing economic achievements. I like my excuse.
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