Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask what’s made you think “I’m getting old” recently?

617 replies

overstimulatedhermit · 14/09/2025 15:56

I’ve noticed I’ve got a favourite seat in the living room and it’s accumulated a few of my things on and around it like my handbag, sweets, book, medication (because it’s the only thing that helps me remember to take it) a couple of letters that I opened and haven’t put away yet and a pack of baby wipes.
Dh is watching the game just now and I’ve sat down in my spot and accidentally knocked my medication off the armrest. I turned to dh and said “ do you know what would be handy, a little table next to me so I can put all my bits and bobs on” 🤦🏻‍♀️ my life flashed before my eyes before the words finished leaving my mouth. I’m 41 by the way how has nobody told me about this monumental moment.

OP posts:
Fgfgfg · 15/09/2025 22:09

Angelil · 15/09/2025 19:57

I’m a secondary school teacher, so it’s having students who have been alive for less time than I’ve been teaching for.

University lecturer - lots of students born in 2007 started today. This year I'll be interviewing people born in 2008. I still wear a coat I bought in 2008.

greengagesummers · 15/09/2025 22:05

What’s made me feel old today is hearing 12 y o DD playing Kelis’ “Milkshake”, and realising that I still mentally class it as “that rubbish new music” except it’s now 22 years later…

fetchacloth · 15/09/2025 22:01

thatsthatsaidthemayor · 14/09/2025 16:09

Taking a picture of a label so that o can zoom in to read it. It

Yeah I do that too 😎

justasking111 · 15/09/2025 21:56

Ploddinon · 15/09/2025 21:51

Every time I look in the mirror first thing in the morning before my facial features rearrange to where theyre supposed to be.

I know I wake up go to the bathroom then take my painkillers, ye gods my hair and face in the mirror. Horror 🤢

Goddessoftheearth · 15/09/2025 21:55

thatsthatsaidthemayor · 14/09/2025 16:09

Taking a picture of a label so that o can zoom in to read it. It

This!! And the stiffness in the morning. But also my lack of tolerance for bullsh*t and my new ability to say no, mean it and stick to it!!

Ploddinon · 15/09/2025 21:51

Every time I look in the mirror first thing in the morning before my facial features rearrange to where theyre supposed to be.

Cherrysoup · 15/09/2025 21:24

Hibernatingtilspring · 14/09/2025 16:18

Mine was realising I have to now take my glasses off to be able to read things close up. I didn't realise that not being able to focus close up happens to pretty much every one with age, I'm scared I might have to get varifocals! I'm 43!

I got varifocals a couple of years ago, I still take them off for up close stuff, nearly had to get on the floor to clock a price on a nice bench in Homesense yesterday!

Waking up at 3am and being wide awake has been a feature of sleep for years (I’m 50s) but I blame a hospital stay over a decade ago, it was very disruptive.

There has been a little table with a drawer between me and my DH’s chair in the living room for 20 years. The drawer contains glasses wipes, hand cream, other handy stuff. Must have a clearout! I never use a handbag, tho, hands always full of leadropes/leads.

MuddlingThroughLife · 15/09/2025 21:14

MaurineWayBack · 15/09/2025 16:59

@MuddlingThroughLife , if you’re still reading, where did you get that table from?

It was from Amazon. Best buy ever 😊

justasking111 · 15/09/2025 21:07

ellyeth · 15/09/2025 20:54

I certainly didn't see myself as "getting old" at 41!!

I am 75 and I still dance like to dance and sing to modern music. I go to bed at 12 and I enjoy going out - even in the evening.

What makes me feel old is seeing actors and pop stars who are now elderly. Paul Nicholas was being interviewed this morning for his part as Major in Fawlty Towers, which is currently on tour. I remember him as the handsome Vince in the sitcom Just Good Friends. I wouldn't have recognised him - but he still has the same twinkly eyes and laugh.

When I had my cataracts done, I got the shock of my life. Before, I had seen a slightly blurred image of myself in the mirror - when I saw all the wrinkles in fine detail I was appalled. Still haven't got over it.

That really shocked me especially my decolletage 😭

pineapplesundae · 15/09/2025 21:03

Geeze I thought you were 65 plus! Don’t give in to it! Get up and get active! Exercise regularly and eat healthy foods.

Bernardo1 · 15/09/2025 20:59

Well firstly, not being up, for horizontal jogging every morning

Then, being told by medical persons, "yes that's fine, at your age"

Gloriousgoard · 15/09/2025 20:57

Having tennis elbow and not even being able to lift a cup of tea!

Enigma54 · 15/09/2025 20:55

Chemo, menopause and being 54! Bloody hell! 🙈

ellyeth · 15/09/2025 20:54

I certainly didn't see myself as "getting old" at 41!!

I am 75 and I still dance like to dance and sing to modern music. I go to bed at 12 and I enjoy going out - even in the evening.

What makes me feel old is seeing actors and pop stars who are now elderly. Paul Nicholas was being interviewed this morning for his part as Major in Fawlty Towers, which is currently on tour. I remember him as the handsome Vince in the sitcom Just Good Friends. I wouldn't have recognised him - but he still has the same twinkly eyes and laugh.

When I had my cataracts done, I got the shock of my life. Before, I had seen a slightly blurred image of myself in the mirror - when I saw all the wrinkles in fine detail I was appalled. Still haven't got over it.

Charleychops · 15/09/2025 20:51

When it started to rain I thought "oh that'll do the plants a lot of good".

SybTheGeek · 15/09/2025 20:49

Tbh I've been feeling a bit smug about the 'small table with items on' thing because I don't do that. Then I remembered that I recently bought 2 butler tray tables just to put bits and bobs on.

justasking111 · 15/09/2025 20:37

Clumsiness I go to pick up a small item like an ear buds, bottle tops, etc and drop them. That's recent. I wonder if it's a spatial thing or arthritis/carpal tunnel.

restingbitchface30 · 15/09/2025 20:33

I was looking through old pics a year or so ago of me in my teen clubbing days. I started feeling queasy thought nothing of it though. I looked at them again a month ago and felt queasy again. I realised I was reacting to them. The thought of going out clubbing or even getting drunk was making me feel sick. I’m 39, it’s made me feel so old. My idea of fun now is snacks and a good show.

justasking111 · 15/09/2025 20:33

Synovial gas popping in my hips and knees I hate the sound every time I stand up it's so loud

moomoo1967 · 15/09/2025 20:32

overstimulatedhermit · 14/09/2025 15:56

I’ve noticed I’ve got a favourite seat in the living room and it’s accumulated a few of my things on and around it like my handbag, sweets, book, medication (because it’s the only thing that helps me remember to take it) a couple of letters that I opened and haven’t put away yet and a pack of baby wipes.
Dh is watching the game just now and I’ve sat down in my spot and accidentally knocked my medication off the armrest. I turned to dh and said “ do you know what would be handy, a little table next to me so I can put all my bits and bobs on” 🤦🏻‍♀️ my life flashed before my eyes before the words finished leaving my mouth. I’m 41 by the way how has nobody told me about this monumental moment.

Osteoarthritus and not being able to walk more than 5 mins before having to sit down

Gingernessy · 15/09/2025 20:30

No longer being able to get off the floor without support.
I'm not good on my feet and stumble alot so now terrified of falling over in public.

TheTempest · 15/09/2025 20:28

I’m 38. Have a lot of chronic illnesses but still! My youngest is 16, I have several great nieces and nephews and had two of them for the weekend recently. It took me a week to recover! Some of my friends are still having babies now, I honestly don’t know how they do it!

justasking111 · 15/09/2025 20:21

JollyRoseBiscuit · 15/09/2025 19:04

Sorry but these are great, got my first pair at 30, 32 now and still get them ha

Son has had a number of operations on left foot. Metatarsals damaged in a motorbike accident 20 years ago. I bought him Skechers the light ones a few years ago. He loved them. So I bought DH a pair. He now won't wear anything else

Sharptonguedwoman · 15/09/2025 20:12

notacooldad · 14/09/2025 16:01

So.ebody I hadnr seen for 8 months told me I looked 10 years older!!!! That kind of made me feel old (er?)

Are they under the patio now?

Sharptonguedwoman · 15/09/2025 20:12

TheGirlOnTheLanding · 14/09/2025 16:03

I’ll see your stiff joints and favourite chair and raise you slipper-wearing and a sudden inability to sleep beyond 7 am

Can I add to that the involuntary groans we make getting up and down from low chairs etc. Oh and I have a little table beside my chair for all my gubbins too: meds, glasses, book, sewing......