COMMENTS

39 responses to “I’m old. How about you? ”

1. ‘42 model here & as The Traveling Wilburys sang;
   “glad to be here, happy to be alive !@@!

   Reply to JustinCase

2. I am on the uphill decline I guess you’d say…… just turned the ripe “OLD” age of 69 and not so sure how I got here, for I was 45 just a few years ago. I keep very busy with a Realtors 24/7 life and 5 wonderful little ” YOUNG” ones to fill up the heart. I can honestly say, I feel like I did when I was 45 physically, maybe with a little rust around the edges but a little Fish Oil keeps those parts in working order, no truly, I am blessed with good health thus far, Thank the Dear Lord, and hope and pray it lasts for another 20 years.. what upsets me more than anything is, I do feel so young , but seeing the person in the mirror in the morning says something different and facing reality of my true age is harsh. When I sit too long or have too much time to think, then i am 70 or maybe even 90, for too much time will play tricks on the mind and the downside of growing old creeps in… so take it from this 45/69 year young person and keep moving , I pray you can :) you are all in my prayers !

   Reply to Marie Jude

3. I just completed a film called OLD?! which reflects your statements. You can watch the trailer and watch for it at a film festival near you : )

   Reply to Kathy Roselli

   1. It’s your film?? Or you completed watching it? Either way, I’M IN.

      Reply to Roz Warren

      1. Actually my just completed film(K-Rose Productions) is called OLD?! I am 67.
         Here is the blurb:
         OLD?! is a 55 minute documentary showcasing over seventy people with poignant stories and plain-speak wisdom about the life journey of aging. These individuals, from 10 days to 101 years old, offer funny, touching and inspiring stories as they share their perspectives about what it means to be old. Throughout the film OLD?! invites us to embrace our own aging process.

4. Old should be an achievement, not an insult!

   Reply to Bonnie

   1. YEs!

      Reply to Carol Cassara

   2. At 66 lm a full time nurse working in an ICU
      But I’ve noticed a change in the way I’m treated on the outside of nursing. Insignificant and as though I don’t matter.

      Reply to Jewel wilson

5. eewww I hate that word. And I never use the word hate either but today I will lol. I’m 58 and I don’t feel old at all! Yikes! Great post…made me laugh and feel good, and cry at the same time lol.

   Reply to Carolann

6. I love all these responses! It’s amazing how everyone’s perceptions of “old” are so different. As for me, I feel like I’m still 25 so I have no idea what you’re talking about :)

   Reply to Lois Alter Mark

7. There are so many wonderful statements here — and such variety! I’m 88 and except for my knees, I’m not old except when my mirror tells me! As a one-time commercial artist, I’ve lived “creatively” most of my life — with an insistence upon enjoying it. So it’s a habit.

   Reply to Annamay

   1. I don’t see any of the “replies” to my Comment, disappointing.

      Reply to Annamay

      1. Hi Annamay, our comment notification system notifies users when there is a new comment in a thread they participated in – not necessarily a reply to their comment. If you prefer not to receive email notifications for new comments in this thread, just let us know and we’ll unsubscribe you.

   2. “I’m not old except when my mirror tells me.” I hope that I’ll feel that way at 88. I live creatively too, and also with enjoyment. So there’s hope!

      Reply to Roz Warren

8. I enjoyed reading this, Roz. It’s a good discussion of how age has a biological and a social aspect. What is old? Is it a number, a feeling of the body, a feeling of the mind, a social status? There’s much to think about, although I’m sure, that as you’ve shown, it depends on each of us to define it for ourselves. Applying a definition to someone else though is a bit trickier. Thanks for this discussion!

   Reply to Joy

9. I may be feeling older than I am at the moment simply because the insomnia is kicking up pretty badly these past few weeks. But mentally, I still feel like a five-year-old.

   Reply to Anne Louise Bannon

10. You think our peers hate the word “old”? Try using “geezer”!

    I started attaching these labels to myself in my 50’s, partly because I thought it was funny and partly because I have known some truly splendid old people and I don’t want to cheat myself of this very interesting stage of life.

    I’m with Carol and Jill — just because society has defined “old” in a negative way does not mean I have to be limited by that definition. When I was growing up, “woman” was a word polite people didn’t use, for heaven’s sake, and look what has happened since women took control of defining what a woman is!

    There is such an amazing change of perspective from the vantage point of one’s geezer years! No wonder societies used to have councils of elders — we think differently, and more wisely. I love being beyond what I’ve come to think of as the “desire years,” in a Buddhist sense — it is wonderful not to be constantly wanting things. Young people, and people who desperately want to be young, sometimes seem just shallow and itchy to me.

    I sent 40 years being an adult who wasn’t old, and I enjoyed them very much. Now I am enjoying life as an adult who IS old. And as long as I don’t let myself get penned in by someone else’s definition of this stage of my life, I plan to keep right on being fascinated and delighted by the changes nobody told me were part of the deal.

    Reply to westomoon

    1. Great comment. thanks. I sometimes refer to myself as a geezer or codger. Claiming the word and having some fun with it makes sense to me. And I love what you said about moving beyond the “desire” years.

       Reply to Roz Warren

11. Fun post, Roz! I always say older, not old. Someone said being active and engaged makes a difference in how we view ourselves. And attitude. I never planned to grow old alone….and widowhood sure says old. But I’m not down nor done. Love your humor and way with words!

    Reply to Joan Stommen

12. I like your favorite response the best, too. I keep telling myself you’re just as old as you fell … but some days I feel wayyy too old.

    Reply to Helene Cohen Bludman

13. I love the last comment (your favorite) so much! I don’t think we simply deserve respect and wisdom because we are older — we have to earn those over the course of time. I do think that if you stick around long enough you should get a discount!!!

    Reply to Ruth Curran

14. i don’t feel I look, act or dress like my grannies or my mom when they were the age I am now. And I deeply resent being offered a seat on the Metro. I guess I’m fooling only myself–but why not?

    Reply to penpen

15. I love that last one! Senior discounts are convenient but at 56 I’m not close to old.
    I do feel like a midlifer because of the changes I’ve made over the last few years.

    Reply to https://seniorplanet.org//www.doreenmcgettigan.com

16. Happy Birthday from a fellow Aquarius! ☺ I just turned 60 as well (Jan. 27). My body feels fairly old most days (arthritis), but in my head I’m about 35! ;) Hubby and I celebrated my birthday by going to a rock concert – my favourite activity. That’s probably not dignified for an “old” person. LOL

    Reply to Debbie D.

    1. Going to a rock concert sounds fabulous. Whom did you see?

       Reply to roz warren

       1. Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band – opening act was The J. Geils Band. It was a fabulous night! ☺

17. Well made point, that if we honored “old” as a more valued term and state, it could help dissolve stigma.

    In some adult development theories, they break “old age” into three categories: Young old age, middle old age, and old old age. This makes sense to me. Each range faces slightly different challenges socially, physically, and emotional

    I always have liked the quote: “We don’t grow old. We get old by not growing.”

    Reply to Jill

18. Well, I just turned 77, so I think that’s definitely old. But it’s okay to be old. I’m fortunate, I have my health and my mental faculties are intact (at least, I think they are). When I was 76 I could reverse the numbers and think of myself as 67 and that didn’t feel QUITE as old. But you can’t do that with 77. In fact … it’s a mental trick you really can never play on yourself again.
    I’m lucky that I spend time with high school students, because they help me think young. They’re sweet to me even though they know I am nearly as old as God. I direct them in high school musical productions, and I give them private voice lessons. I think they are terrific people, and I admire and respect them.
    Old is okay. It’s not great, for sure, but since you can’t do anything about the years piling up, do the things you love for as long as you can. That’s my philosophy.
    Oh, and less than two years ago I wrote my first novel. I just completed novel number 3. I think I may have more books in me!

    Reply to Susan Jordan

19. I love this! I’m way past middle age, but still feeling very young. Spending time with my grandchildren keeps me in touch with the younger generation. Spending time with my mom shows me where I’m headed and gives me patience.

    Reply to Janie Emaus

20. I’m 50. Some days I feel incredibly old; others I feel just a babe. Age has always been a funky consideration for me. I became a mom VERY early, so my lifestyle never really lined up with my years.

    Reply to Lisa at Grandma's Briefs

21. I’m 63. I’m not only old, but I”m redefining old! Today my own blog post is a corollary to yours!

    Reply to Carol Cassara

    1. Hi Carol, feel free to send us a link to your blog post. editor@seniorplanet.org

       Reply to Barbara, Senior planet editor

22. There is so much variability in how people age based on genetics, environment and lifestyle choices.A person’s age is really a very poor indicator. And even if I were to have problems with energy, cognition and mobility, I think it’s best to be optimistic, to never give up, and to visualize having many good years ahead.

    Reply to Karen D. Austin

23. I’m old — happy to be it and say it. But thinking all of us between 65 and 100+ are similar in needs, interests or expectations is crazy, and that’s what Medicare, marketing, doctors, and advertising do. It makes me very sad that so much of society treats the realities of being older as something to mock or disguise.

    Reply to Wendl in Manhattan

24. I am 71 and feel better than wen I was 35. I have two grown children and I spend my days in the senior centers socializing and playing. Life is god after the kiss move out. Joojoo.

    Reply to Anna banana

    1. “Life is good after the kids move out.” I agree, although in my case it’s partly because the kids now live in sunny California, where I look forward to visiting them in February.

       Reply to Roz Warren

25. I’m 68. Sure, I’m old – chronologically – and I’m not interested in finding euphemisms for it. Biologically? Maybe not so old. I took up skiing and cycling three years ago and love ping pong. I’m going on a cycling/hiking/kayaking trip to New Zealand next month and then on to Australia to visit a friend. I participate in activities in three gyms – yoga, spin and various fitness classes. I skip and play basketball with my grandchildren. My son-in-law (who is 40 and very handsome) told me that a store clerk who had seen me with him asked the owner if I was his mother or his wife. Yes, I’m old and getting older but enjoying so much in spite of it.

    Reply to jeanneinnyc

    1. “I’m not interested in finding euphemisms for it.” Well said! I won’t be kayaking in New Zealand anytime soon, but you’ve inspired me to try to find a local ping pong table. LOVED to play when I was a kid. I probably still would.

       Reply to Roz Warren

       1. If you live in NYC I’m always looking for people to play with. There seems to be a shortage but it is a lot of fun and good for the brain.