Feeling old!

[EmmaH2022]

No point to this but I feel really old tonight

went out with friends and realised that I've hit a point where make up doesn't make me look any better. I have those genetic dark circles many dark skinned people have, plus weird wrinkly dents in my cheeks.

they were asking me questions about the Tower of London. I used to know my history so well, now I feel like my memory is just gone, I don't even remener what I did last week.

I have a headache after one cocktail!

i hope this is just a phase!

Oh, and we got chatting to a couple of 20 something lads and they used a couple of terms I've not heard before.

then when they said goodbye, they made a really weird gesture. Like, you know how ypu might hold your hand to your heart? They put their hands across to their shoulder and said how lovely it was to chat to us.

i have no clue what that gesture means.

How old are you?

See, no brain, should have said

why have I got denty cheeks? Is this why people get them filled?

Menopause?

Definitely peri

it's weird, I pretty much felt like a teenager till recently. I had a tough time of it in my 20s and most of my 30s, and things improved so I hit 40 without thinking anything except being excited!

now some days I feel like youth vanished overnight! Didn't have wrinkles till recently. And the memory...eek, that's bad.

and feeling I don't know what the "youth" are talking about...yikes.

I have the dark circles too, I hate them. Makeup makes me look older, I just cover up my scars now and don’t bother with the rest as it doesn’t matter anymore

OP, you aren't alone. I'm a bit older than you but I've recently got two 'dents' that definitely weren't there before. I'm down to one glass of wine before I get a headache. I have a 14yo son and sometimes I have to get him to translate 😁

But the forgetting things just means you've had a tough week and you need a lie-in, or a weekend away with your phone switched off. Book some time off. Or pull a sickie xx

This might seem weird but I once read that 47 is the worst age, apparently from 40 to 47 there is a linear incline in how miserable people feel, I can't even remember how this was reported but apparently from 48 onwards people report feeling happier, with people in their 50's & 60's being the happiest demographic.... its like happiness exists on a curve, so from childhood up to late 20s are "happy years" then the decent begins, middle age is bottom of the curve with 47 basically the absolute pit, while 48 is the beginning of the ascent of happiness again.

I really don't know the truth of this and its taken as a view of the population as a whole, but I kind of like to believe that there's a "second wind" so to speak ... I don't know if this is any comfort, 46 in my opinion isn't old & every day living is a gift. Plenty of people will never see 46. I'm in my very early 30's but with 3 dc I feel like a run down 80 year old that's been hit by a bus multiple times. I've no time to keep up with anything current so would be just as lost in conversation with 20 something year old child free people as we're lol

Mint what are the dents about?! So annoying.

Mind um, don't worry, I'm not miserable. I commented on a thread about this, my 40s have been great barring lockdown. I don't know who they interview for this sort if thing but I'll bet money it's majority people with children.

Sunny I might not bother with makeup though, as I seem to look the same! It's weird. I have long dreaded the genetic dark circle thing. It's not tiredness, they are just always there.

the forgetting things is an issue for me. I don't forget anything important but forgetting things I'm interested in isn't good. Will have to try some memory exercises. My mum in her 80s still remembers all her friends phone numbers. I think that a lot of stuff doesn't help our memories in the modern age.

re the 20 somethings, maybe we should have said "guys, we're old, need a translation" 😂

Yep, get yourself over to the menopause board. You’ll meet your people 🤣🤣🤣

Does memory reappear?

I just saw two threads. One, the very sad news of Hilary Mantel. I studied history and though others might be relieved I no longer ramble on about every landmark we pass, thinking of Hilary makes me appreciate that skill. Looking at the Tower of London yesterday, I used to know so much about it and it fell out of my brain.

saw the Madonna thread, I admire her greatly but sad she doesn't look like her anymore. I do at least look like "me" even if I am thinking of cheek fillers!

I have found eating turmeric in my evening meals helps my mental alertness. I also sprinkle ground black pepper over my food to aid absorption. A friend recommended this and after a few weeks I could definitely tell the difference. I am 58 and the friend is male so I was quite sceptical as I am post menopause. My brain fog has definitely improved!

Do you use the ground version, as in the spice jar, or do you take the tablets with your meal ?

oh my sister takes a turmeric supplement, I'll try that. I don't like the taste. I like pepper though, I'll do that.

I have made the mistake of looking at my face in a magnifying mirror

I'm not much of a one to bother with these things but wondered if tache needs removing. Then wondered if a lot of women are removing all facial hair, hence looking much tidier than me?

I feel you. I turn 40 in a week and I’m really having a bit of an existential crisis at the moment. I can no longer pretend I look ok. Make up looks shit, clothes look shit (which is fixable, I’m fat) and I am bored.

At least you have friends @EmmaH2022 to spend time with!

I use the ground turmeric. As it has quite a sweet taste the ground black pepper over the meal makes it much more tasty too. I was amazed it helped me so much. As prior to that was taking vitamin b6 but stopped it as read it can bring on anxiety. I honestly feel much more alert.

Oh and have been shaving my tiny tache every couple of weeks. To anybody interested lol.

It is the long white hairs that protrude from the chin which are the shock in one's fifties! For those u need the tweezers ...

Chief nights out are rare, lost a lot of friends over lockdown. I'm sorry you're feeling that too.

Zip I have decided to wax my tache, will get some strips tomorrow. Also realised I haven't been plucking my monobrow properly.

i get confused with all the B vitamins.

i've got the headache today as well. I now don't think it was one drink wot did it. I think I'm overdue my masseter botox, which I have for teeth grinding. I had it twice, it really helps, but wanted to leave it as long as possible for a range of reasons - not least, fear!! Now I've not had it for 10 months, I think I better go again. Plops.

Not being up to date with latest music and slang I think is pretty normal.. Aside from music I hear on the radio driving to work, I’m still listening to music from 90’s and early 00’s - takes me to my happy place!

I’m 45, and I’ve noticed that I can’t consume food and drink like I did in my 20-30’s.
my body is changing, it’s natural.

Now I drink more water, eat less processed food and limit sugar in my diet. I stick to drinking week- ends only. Once you find what your body can tolerate, you will see improvement.

Oh I am definitely up to date with music.

people seem to be taking this very seriously, I was just having a moan. I'm fine. Not having a mid life crisis or anything, all good.