The absolute sheer joy of ageing

I sailed through without doing anything different really. Sometimes it's just luck.

I am mid-60s and very much enjoy being this older, more peaceful version of me - it feels like the calm after the storm. I feel instinctively that it is not only about age itself but also that the deaths of my parents, with whom I had a troubled relationship, have been liberating for me. I feel free at last

Well I'm mid sixties and am retired - that's a huge benefit to me 😂(not in the UK, we get superannuation at 65 here).

I'm late to this thread, but here is my tuppence worth:

Strength/resistance training totally rocks.
It's Caroline Girvan you want.

70 years old and superfit - fitter than many women half my age.

Oh.... and do a plank every day - check out the Bowflex 3-Minute Plank.

I’m 70 and I too couldn’t give a toss about what others think about me! Worrying about how I look for years has got me nowhere, so pointless really.
Life’s too short so start pleasing yourself more, the world won’t come to an end I promise 😊

AreolaGrande

huge hugs, was/ am the same but have started listening to music I like, making myself pretty myself up a bit, read more, less screens, started swimming etc. I randomly treat myself to a bun or ice cream in a cafe. Ring friends and family more. Trying to get old me back

I also think it's great! I LOVE being able to put outfits together and wear what I want
I'm post menopausal and having a ball. This post was sponsored by the amazing blue suede shoes I was wearing. Tomorrow I'm wearing a green suede jacket, linen nude midi skirt some patent shoes and ankle socks with a trim! Having a ball!

Menopause can be a nuisance for many of us, and so can the aches and pains of ageing. Despite that, I’ve been happier since I turned 60 than ever before.

Life was more exciting when I was young, but also more turbulent and often lonely. I have many wonderful memories, but even during my happiest times I was always striving for something, or had the next project in mind, or was making plans for the future. Never really grounded or living in the moment. And I felt responsible for everything and blamed myself for not putting everything right.

I am so much more relaxed now. Luckily very happily married, also with solid friendships that have lasted for decades. Not in brilliant health, but still on my feet and making the most of life.

Maybe what helps is recognising that (a) I can’t do everything and I don’t have to, (b) time is limited and there’s no point wasting time fretting, and (c) simple pleasures are the best and are readily available— strolling with DH or a friend, curling up with a good book, having a cup of tea in the garden.

I’d like to tell my younger self to stop worrying and enjoy life. Dance more while your joints are still good for it!

I like being able to walk past workmen and not get leered at and whistled at etc.

I could have written this myself. I actually feel a slight sense of joy every time I get in my own bed, partner free, in my ugly but comfy Victorian cotton nightie. Last night I had insomnia so today I took myself for a mamma nap with a glass of rosé and some peanuts. Slept a couple of hours then got up and took the dogs out for the last bit of sun. No makeup bar my must have lip tint. Have snacked all day, not cooked a thing. I'm so damned happy, just being healthy and free.

Hate it, mid 60s and can’t think of one benefit of ageing, we all feel differently but that’s my experience

I love it, not caring what others think, not caring that men are not attracted to me (I rarely met an attractive man now if I do I am not obsessing about him noticing me), happy doing very little, I am far more confident and will chat far more easily to people I have just met as not obsessing about looking stupid

knowing I shall never go to a big party again or worry about what I look like in a bikini

and to be able to say thanks but no thanks I won’t be joining you as I just don’t fancy it feels so empowering

That started the day you were born!

Indeed- but it’s an unusual baby that’s aware of the fact.

I have not been happy about aging since I was about 10- I accept it’s a part of life obviously and im not loosing sleep over it- as a child I did enjoy some of the mile stone stuff about it (allowed make up/a key/a pint etc) but as an adult that doesn’t apply.

I would literally be celebrating decline to death- I just find it really odd (although I do celebrate my birthday because it’s an excuse for a good time and I’m always up for that).

Zow · Today 22:39

You must be reading a totally different thread to me as a lot of folk on here are moaning about ageing. 🤔

Once you are out the other side it becomes great again (except for thinner hair and stiffer joints).

"Getting slowly closer to death is one of the best things that will happen to you?"

That started the day you were born!

A very, very dear, and close family member died slowly, horribly and unexpectedly last year. We were almost the same age. I'm alive and realise how lucky I am to be so, and I plan to get the most I can out of every moment I have. I feel I owe it to her to live for both of us. Not everyone has to like me and I don't have to like everyone, but I just move straight on from anyone who tries to put me down.

Why does someone always have to come on these threads with these "warnings"? Not everyone suffers through menopause, just because you have it doesn't mean every other women will too.

I stopped caring what anyone thought about me in my early 20s, very liberating.

@KatParr wait until you hit 60 n you will love it!!!
I am so happy in my old age skin - it’s liberating to not care about what others think and to even sit here n ponder if I died tomorrow - whatever x I’ve had a ball

Getting slowly closer to death is one of the best things that will happen to you?

I don’t get it. I love my life, I have no desire for it to be over or to hurry it on so why would I be pleased about getting nearer the end?

I don’t mind the process of aging in terms of looks, but I’m only going to become more ill and disabled as I age- that isn’t anything to celebrate either.

Ive never given a shit what people think about me anyway (I’m fat, gay and disabled [obviously so] so I’d never go out if I was bothered about people’s opinions!).

I hear you 💯

I’m delighted for you but I find it absolutely terrifying.

I have no frame of reference for ageing as both my surviving grandparents had died by the time I was six.

It’s only since my parents have got older and my dad passed away in long drawn out, awful circumstances that I’ve realised what it might mean.

At the same time I’m perimenopausal at 48 and whilst HRT helps I honestly thought the way people change/slow down as they age was a lifestyle choice, not something that just happens.

As a divorcee I’m struggling with the cost of living and working ridiculous hours so have little time or energy for the self-care I absolutely need to engage with.

I’m still plodding on and it’s not all bad but I’m finding it hard work and scary and I wish someone had sat me down when I was about 35 and told me to really make sure I had my shit sorted out before I turned 40.

@AreolaGrande I would get yourself checked out with your bloating and bleeding symptoms, as there is help for that, and I know from experience it is not fun when you’re experiencing that. X

Who's moaning? People who are older (55+) are celebrating it.

Weird how many people are unhappy and stressed in middle age (like late 30s to early 50s really,) but then seem to be much happier by late 50s. As I said, I am 61 and life is wonderful. Then again, I am retired, and so is DH, and have no mortgage or debts and no kids at home and no elderly parents to look after. So very little stress really.

I am 61 and loving life. 😄

Menopause over (wasn't too bad for me) No periods - stopped about 8 years ago.)

Men don't hit on me and lech over me anymore, and when a man chats to me I know it's because he's being friendly and doesn't want to shag me. SO liberating!

No-one to impress, so dress like I want, and go make up free if I want!

No longer have to have sex. (Used to enjoy it up to late 40s... Got totally bored with it about a decade ago - thankfully DH went off it too around the same time.)

No mortgage or debts, and lots of savings.

Kids left home, and both sets of parents are dead. Me and DH both retired. No responsibilities - and as I said, no debts. Lots of free time. Several hobbies, a few friends, adult DC, and we live in a beautiful rural village.

Feel at ease with saying no to things, and not hugely bothered if people are butthurt by it. Don't want to do it, then I won't.

39 and never felt so unhappy about my life or the way I look. I read threads on here about it only going downhill from here and it's a tough read.
I am starting to get greys which means I will have to start dying my hair and at the moment I love my hair colour as it's such a natural mix of brown and blonde which I can't replicate with dye.
My eyes are not as bright and look duller.
I have lines around my eyes and starting to get puckering around the mouth.
Look at a cake and I put on a stone. For context I was 8 stone at 32, now 9 stone 4. Without doing anything different.
Periods are almost non existent.

I also feel so insecure in myself. I felt much more confident when I was in my twenties. It upsets me a lot.