I wasn’t expecting middle age to start today.

[HunterTheDanceInstructor]

I thought it’d be a slow run-in, but no. I hit middle age today.

Yesterday I was running around in the throes of youth, not even uttering a sigh as I got off the sofa. Today is a different matter.

I’m not sure how it happened but I inadvertently acquired a pair of “oh, they’d be handy to keep in the utility room and use to nip out to the washing line” shoes this morning. I was in a local hardware shop and they just kind of manifested in my trolley. They’re practically clogs. Green, rubbery, wool-lined, and ridiculously comfortable. Like Crocs- only uglier.

This is just the start of it, isn’t it?

I got really excited when I bought my washing machine, felt grown up then.

Oh I use my ‘gardening’ shoes all the time. I don’t actually garden and the dog’s chewed the hell out of them but they are soooooo very handy just to slip on. They are the green rubbery ones (you can get black, pink, blue etc too) and they live by the back door.

Yes! Me too although mine haven’t been chewed by the dog lol. Essential and very comfy wearing though 👍

Colleague at work was absolutely gutted last week when she had to get up in the middle of the night to pee for the first time ever she's terrified it's going to be a regular thing & I didn't have the heart to break the bad news that a) it will become a regular thing & b) sometimes it's more than once a night 😂

As for the crocs I can confirm they are apparently all the rage as DD2(20) has a pair & DD1(22) has added them to her Santa list found myself looking at DD2 thinking actually they look pretty good

Middle age doesn't start until you're wearing elasticated waistbands.

looks like I'm screwed with my garden shoes and elasticated waistbands at 24 🤣

I got myself a pair of pink ones from lidl and honestly they are a godsend for nipping out in the garden! Also 7 year old wants a pair so can't be that bad!

I've had crocs since my 30's

In that case I've been middle aged since I was 30!

May as well book a one way ticket to Dignitas. Frankly the happiest part of my life by far has been middle age. Don’t knock it, or the clogs, I have similar to stick the washing out.

Well that's me buggered then. I bought a couple of pairs of work trousers with elasticated waistbands from some shop I don't remember a while ago. So much more comfortable than what I had been wearing. I still wear jeans though!

There have been several instances in the last fortnight that made me realise that yes I am actually middle aged; googling slippers with arch support, making homemade chutney and finding myself watching gardener's world and actually enjoying it 🤦‍♀️😁

Bliss. Pure bliss.

Have policemen and headteachers started to look like they've only just left school themselves?
Brought my son to the dentist the other day and I was in shock at how young looking the dentist was, I couldn’t stop staring!! And most of my children’s teachers could be my children now - it’s an eye opener!!

I have a teacher colleague born in the year 2000. I'm sure I have a cardigan older than him.

Yes to all of the above.

I've mentioned this one on previous threads but it's when you start eyeing up the clothing ranges in the local garden centre and think 'hmmm that's actually quite nice and practical too'. I told DH to shoot me if I attempt to buy something there.

2 pairs of Crocs for 50 quid atm on their website
I've just ordered for me and my DD

🤣🤣🤣

I’ve worn crocs for years, but in my defence I wear them at work as I’m a theatre nurse.

watch out for the ‘croc stop’ when you’re tired and not picking your feet up properly.

I hit middle age when I went to ikea and sought out the clippy things you put on bags of frozen veg.

Dropped off DS at a school trip thing (DCs all in normal clothes) and genuinely thought his maths teacher was one of the kids.

Blimey, that's younger than my DD. And a lot younger than many of my clothes.

Oh, younger than mine, too, Errol, and I wasn't even a young mum.

One of the trendiest 15 year olds I know was wearing crocs and socks this week.

Falling asleep in the afternoon, on the sofa with a nice cup of tea and the Hotter catalogue is possibly the epitome of middle age 😁

Oh definitely- and don't forget to order some nice big knickers to keep your kidneys warm! 🙃

Wtf, just what? With SOCKS I mean they are so damned ugly anyway and someone decided to make it worse by adding socks. Christ on a bike that is heinous.

All those men on holidays abroad who were ridiculed for sandal/sock combo can now poke youngsters in the eye and say crocs/socks utterly outlandish and peculiar. Or hell I was fashionable back then.