How do you feel about life and getting older?

DareGod

This is a question directed at everybody, regardless of age.

Although I think that your specific age is irrelevant, because it's all relative, feel free to state your age when answering the question, as it may give some context to your response.

The reason that I'm posing this question is because I am finding myself particularly struggling with getting older, for the past couple of years. I mean, I'm really struggling.

For the purposes of context regarding my own personal story, I'm 28. I feel the same as I did when I was 19. I feel like my mind is the same as it was when I was 19, besides all of the extra experiences and what I have learned from them. But it has hit me like a tonne of bricks. When I think about what age I am, it really stops me in my tracks for a few moments.

It's not about the fact that I'm 28 - I know that that's a relatively young age. And it's not jealousy of younger people, because I know that they, too, will be in the same position in a matter of a few short years, and that will come as fast for them as it has for me. But I'm just finding it difficult to process the ageing process.

Regardless of your age, 90 or 19, how have you been finding the ageing process?

Ruu

Finding that time flies and I'll be gone before you know it.

genericguy

I get older and all the college girls stay the same. It's great.

Galwayguy35

I'm 40, never felt as good as I do now.

K4t

All I know is that time makes you bolder, even children get older, and I'm getting older too.

strobe

Same way I feel about death. Sucks balls, would rather it didn't happen, but can't effect it, so worrying about it is only going to detract from my current enjoyment of life. There's a little folder in my brain where I drag and drop these things, then encrypt it, and it stays there... until it gets hacked one day and it all comes spilling out in one huge big mess and ends up with my face splashed across 24 hour news stations with little quotes flying by underneath from my former neighbors along the lines of "he was always such a nice guy, kept himself to himself mostly... You just don't expect these kinds of things to happen in a town like this...".

looksee

I thought we just had this discussion?

RobertKK

I am not 40 yet but will be in the next 12 months...I don't mind getting older, looking after your health is the important thing with eating the right foods and exercise.
Happy with life, planning for the future, age is just a number, but the other day a 92 year old woman completed a marathon. There is a lot of life left, once we stay alive to live it.

Son Of A Vidic

genericguy wrote: »

I get older and all the college girls stay the same. It's great.

Formaldehyde?

The Backwards Man

looksee wrote: »

I thought we just had this discussion?

Yeah, three years ago. That's old age for ya.

Sam Kade

DareGod wrote: »

This is a question directed at everybody, regardless of age.

Although I think that your specific age is irrelevant, because it's all relative, feel free to state your age when answering the question, as it may give some context to your response.

The reason that I'm posing this question is because I am finding myself particularly struggling with getting older, for the past couple of years. I mean, I'm really struggling.

For the purposes of context regarding my own personal story, I'm 28. I feel the same as I did when I was 19. I feel like my mind is the same as it was when I was 19, besides all of the extra experiences and what I have learned from them. But it has hit me like a tonne of bricks. When I think about what age I am, it really stops me in my tracks for a few moments.

It's not about the fact that I'm 28 - I know that that's a relatively young age. And it's not jealousy of younger people, because I know that they, too, will be in the same position in a matter of a few short years, and that will come as fast for them as it has for me. But I'm just finding it difficult to process the ageing process.

Regardless of your age, 90 or 19, how have you been finding the ageing process?

Look at it this way every day you are alive is a day less of your life and a day closer to death At 28 you shouldn't be worrying about aging in fact at any age you shouldn't worry about it.

looksee

The Backwards Man wrote: »

Yeah, three years ago. That's old age for ya.

It was this thread I was thinking of http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057400740
comes to much the same thing, doesn't it? Ok well maybe not

ThinkProgress

The key is not doing the things you're expected to be doing at your age.

If you follow the plan, exactly how "the man" tells you to - well you can't complain if one day you end up being a worn out cog in "the machine".

Screw "the man", screw "the machine"... Screw that number it says on your birth cert too!!

Be unpredictable. Take on risks constantly!

Everything boring old people do or say - do the complete opposite of whatever that is!

strobe

ThinkProgress wrote: »

The key is not doing the things you're expected to be doing at your age.

If you follow the plan, exactly how "the man" tells you to - well you can't complain if one day you end up being a worn out cog in "the machine".

Screw "the man", screw "the machine"... Screw that number it says on your birth cert too!!

Be unpredictable. Take on risks constantly!

Everything boring old people do or say - do the complete opposite of whatever that is!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt-udg9zQSE

whats newxt

i enjoy it and hopefully i will learn a lot more in the future

DareGod

Whitepepper wrote: »

As a 30 year old I can't say I'm too bothered about it, I think you're problem is that you identify as young person. It's just a number that represents how long you've been alive, you're age isn't who you are.

Yes! That's exactly it. I don't know how to function as an" older" person. I knew how to be 18 or 19. I have no idea how to feel as an older person. I know it says all about me and nothing about life itself.

Look, I know that none of this means anything. It's all irrelevant. Life is life, regardless of age. I don't for one second believe that an 70 year old person is "old." I don't believe a 100 year old person is "old." It's not about defining an age. It's about your mental ability to deal with the ageing process. And I know there are much more important things to be thinking about, like homelesness, chronic pain, terminal illness, and depression. But it's just a fluff thread about a fluff topic. But I am struggling with the topic at hand.

I spent so long in Uni that I feel I've only started to live my fully adult life now, at 28. A career, instead of student part-timers, buying a 'proper' car instead of either inheriting a banger or buying the cheapest one for sale second hand, trying to eat with a view to health instead of convenience, regular dental checkups instead of waiting for the toothache...all grown up stuff that I surprise myself with sometimes. Its' like I grew up when I wasn't looking. It's different, but it's better with every passing year and I've no reason to think that'll change for a long time yet.

The only part of you that you have some control over ageing is your brain, keep it up to date and running and you'll never be 'old'.

cbyrd

I'm 41, just had my 5th baby 6 months ago and I don't feel any older than I did when I was 19. To me age is just a number, I never think that I am 41 and as a result people who meet me who find out my age are very surprised! I think young therefore I am young!

Death? I laugh at death! Wtf will i care? I'll be dead ( I had a near death experience that took the mystery out of it! )

Pumpkinseeds

I'm 42 and don't really feel any older than when I was in my early 20's. Aging has pros and cons, on the pros side I feel more confident in myself and have a much lower bulls*it tolerance level. Physically, the creases take longer to fill out of my face when I get up in the morning and I've got a few more lines and some extra weight that I'm working on losing. At various times in life I think we all get a bit hung up on getting older but it passes.

chops018

A guy in work was saying a few weeks ago that the experts reckon the first person to live to be aged 150 has been born already.

I never pushed him for his source.

Interesting all the same if potentially true..

catallus

28 is old.

Menas

I have forgotten more than most boardsies have ever known. I am old.

kfallon

Prob fitter and healthier now (36) than I ever was during my 20's.
Don't worry about getting old but the time does fly by!

Cold War Kid

kfallon wrote: »

the time does fly by!

That is the really sucky part. How the utter fuq is 2011 four years ago?!
The CIA has shortened the second as a unit of time. I'm convinced of it. :mad:

kfallon

Cold War Kid wrote: »

That is the really sucky part. How the utter fuq is 2011 four years ago?!
The CIA has shortened the second as a unit of time. I'm convinced of it. :mad:

I know, it's been 13 years since the Saipan incident :eek: Feels like about 5

Cold War Kid

kfallon wrote: »

I know, it's been 13 years since the Saipan incident :eek: Feels like about 5

My godson was born at that time (his mother went into labour during Ireland v Saudi Arabia). No way can that little baby boy be nearly 13.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

I'm 71 and have never thought about age at all. Life is good and full.

kfallon

Cold War Kid wrote: »

My godson was born at that time (his mother went into labour during Ireland v Saudi Arabia). No way can that little baby boy be nearly 13.

On the plus side, my Euro '88 jersey still fits me

Sam Kade

cbyrd wrote: »

I'm 41, just had my 5th baby 6 months ago and I don't feel any older than I did when I was 19. To me age is just a number, I never think that I am 41 and as a result people who meet me who find out my age are very surprised! I think young therefore I am young!

Death? I laugh at death! Wtf will i care? I'll be dead ( I had a near death experience that took the mystery out of it! )

I have to laugh at people that believe they look years younger than their age. You think young therefore you are young until you look in a mirror and reality hits you a slap

Idjit

I feel much older than my mid-twenties right now. There's been a few deaths of close people in my life recently, most of them not much older than me.

It has me terrified about my family growing older and makes me constantly worry about us all ageing.

_Whimsical_

When it bothers me I remind myself that I'll never be as young as I am right this second, rather than feel more depressed it makes me feel a bit younger and motivates me to enjoy the present. There's nothing that can be done about the passage of time anyway, all that matters is that you use the time you have well.

It reminds me that one day I'll be looking back and I don't want to have wasted my life or wishing I had done this that or the other
So get out there and make it a good one and be happy as much as you can

IamNotNumber

Reminds me I have about 15 good years ahead then unless I win the lotto in the meantime the future is uncertain..I expect ill health given my excess's to date..hopefully the hse will sort itself out ..even gerry dying on the telly cant convince to quit smoking but enjoying life at the moment day to day . It true what they say time does fly and ten years will get behind you no bother..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTEWlSTQ1RI

bnt

It Sucks. Next?

moc moc a moc

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

I'm 40, never felt as good as I do now.

No, it's just that it's so long ago now that you don't remember.

Zipppy

Enjoy every moment...lifes great..ive less left than ive completed but feeling great, eating well, exercising like mad, have great friends, great kids, fab partner, great sexlife....fcuk it dont fret...live life

worded

Health is really important.

To any smokers here, choose swimming or a sport and don't indulge the nicotene monkey on your back. You can do it.

Recently got over a 6 week lung infection and realise without health you are in trouble.

Look after yourself, respect your body.

I love meeting good people there are many out there. Looking forward to some travel in the future.

I've asked v old people advice for me, what i should do with my life ..... They say .... Drink as much good whiskey as poss and have as much sex as poss.

Tell me something I don't know !

Live long and prosper

Kalman

DareGod wrote: »

This is a question directed at everybody, regardless of age.

Although I think that your specific age is irrelevant, because it's all relative, feel free to state your age when answering the question, as it may give some context to your response.

The reason that I'm posing this question is because I am finding myself particularly struggling with getting older, for the past couple of years. I mean, I'm really struggling.

For the purposes of context regarding my own personal story, I'm 28. I feel the same as I did when I was 19. I feel like my mind is the same as it was when I was 19, besides all of the extra experiences and what I have learned from them. But it has hit me like a tonne of bricks. When I think about what age I am, it really stops me in my tracks for a few moments.

It's not about the fact that I'm 28 - I know that that's a relatively young age. And it's not jealousy of younger people, because I know that they, too, will be in the same position in a matter of a few short years, and that will come as fast for them as it has for me. But I'm just finding it difficult to process the ageing process.

Regardless of your age, 90 or 19, how have you been finding the ageing process?

It could be a melancholic condition. Depressed, perhaps.
Midlife crisis at 28? possible.

As for me, I have led an active life and never thought about age. When I was in my 20's___reaching 50 seemed light-years-away.[how's that for complacently?]
Truthfully, I woke up one morning and glancing into the looking-glass, I realized that I was no longer youthful . It was a particular and deeply personal moment .

Fran1985

Snap OP. Im a mess with my age at the moment. Given up on a career i worked hard at all through my 20s as it turns out its not gonna go very far. Not sure what the phase is. No savings. No money to save. And im 30 in a few weeks. Still feel 20. Maybe ill just work later into life. Or maybe ill win the lotto.

Asarlai

"Age is just an number"

No, it's not. It's a three letter word. And I don't like three letter words.

Big C

my grandson just sat his leaving cert, big wow. Where did my life go. 4 kids, 7 grandkids, divorced at 53, remarried at 53, shi* health, in a wheelchair, but f*** it, life is good.

thank god/allah for dignitas that will be my last holiday

I guess it has not struck me as something to think about yet. Too much going on. And with the constant training and health regimes I am under I have felt more like I have been getting younger and fitter over the last decade than older.

But at 36 with 2 kids - 2 more planned starting around when I am 38 - and my 40s on the horizon - I guess it will not be so long before such thoughts will start to pop into mind. A slow down and inevitable decline can not be SO far away in my life.

_Brian

43 here, my health wouldn't be great and it restricts me from doing things I'd like to.
But getting older doesn't bother me for my own sake, I have two kids 12 &6, getting older just brings me closer to a time when I'm no longer about to enjoy being with my kids, the thought of that makes me unhappy.

myshirt

How do I feel about getting older?

Well, seems to be that I spent the first half of my life worrying about the future, and I'm spending the second half regretting the past. Then bang, I'll be dead.

Still waiting for that magic day where my life is going to kick off and everything will be great.

You have a leaving cert son? Get a degree. You have a degree? Get a job. You have a job? Get a better job. You have a house? Get a better house. Your wife just turned 40? You have to trade her in for two 20 year olds.

Seems to be constantly shifting goal posts, and you never start living. Constantly working towards this mystery day where you can eventually start living.

Lesson is guys, just live for now. You are alive. Enjoy your friends, family, and change your perspective. It's not the way the world is that determines your happiness, it's how you see it. Family is by far the most valuable asset you have.

Kalman

Fran1985 wrote: »

Snap OP. Im a mess with my age at the moment. Given up on a career i worked hard at all through my 20s as it turns out its not gonna go very far. Not sure what the phase is. No savings. No money to save. And im 30 in a few weeks. Still feel 20. Maybe ill just work later into life. Or maybe ill win the lotto.

You still have time to take a different turning. Ah! 30, you say. I wish I were 30!
'Time and Tide Waits for no Man. [that same flower that blooms to-day, to-morrow will be wilting] Don't bemoan your plight, there is a big world out there. >>>>It's all up to you! [/I]

Kalman

myshirt wrote: »

How do I feel about getting older?

Well, seems to be that I spent the first half of my life worrying about the future, and I'm spending the second half regretting the past. Then bang, I'll be dead.

Still waiting for that magic day where my life is going to kick off and everything will be great.

You have a leaving cert son? Get a degree. You have a degree? Get a job. You have a job? Get a better job. You have a house? Get a better house. Your wife just turned 40? You have to trade her in for two 20 year olds.

Seems to be constantly shifting goal posts, and you never start living. Constantly working towards this mystery day where you can eventually start living.

Lesson is guys, just live for now. You are alive. Enjoy your friends, family, and change your perspective. It's not the way the world is that determines your happiness, it's how you see it. Family is by far the most valuable asset you have.

My most valuable asset was my earning ability. Perhaps you are seeking something that is not there.

anncoates

A mixture of liking the mental and emotional equanimity of middle age and disliking the creeping physical and aesthetic degradation of same.

Akrasia

I'm 33 (i think)

My attitude to getting older?

They'll have a cure for that before It kills me

That said, in the last 4 months I sprained my ankle playing soccer and now it seems to be in a permanently new shape and my wrist still hurts from the same incident, and last night I twisted my other ankle to make a matching pair....

Come on nanobots for feck sake, what are ye waiting for

myshirt

Kalman wrote: »

My most valuable asset was my earning ability. Perhaps you are seeking something that is not there.

Myself, I never found happiness in my earning ability, and I switched careers taking a significant enough drop in wages. I worked in law, and for example, I never ever would have wanted to become a partner. Different strokes, different folks.

Timmaay

Kalman wrote: »

It could be a melancholic condition. Depressed, perhaps.
Midlife crisis at 28? possible.

The whole why am I getting old is something I've suffered from a little also ha (almost 30 now), I've had a few other issues myself also, and would tend to agree there probably are underlying issues of some sort causing it. In my case recently I've found mindfulness a very useful natural aid, I try to think about the here and now a lot more, rather than worry about the past and future which I've zero control of right now.

obriendj

I will be 35 this year and have noticed the age process.

Can you remember when you looked back a photo of yourself and thought "i looked a state back then" well I have tipped over the edge and now think I have peaked and photos from 2-3 years ago are now better than i look now. Its probably minor things that only you would notice yourself but hair loss, a worn face etc.

I am however fitter than i have been for years. Drinking less. and exercising more.

I regret the time I wasted while i was in my twenties. If I can give any advice to younger people reading this, is to try and find something productive to do during your 20s - dont waste every sunday hungover watching TV. Still do it but do it less.