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Original poster

Things that you start to obsess about as you get older…

229 replies

BarrelOfOtters · 02/01/2023 08:09

Bin day. Never used to think about it really. Now I’m proper obsessed with bin day and what to leave out when…

garden birds and feeding them.

it was like a switch flipped and now I’m buying high quality fat balls and ground feeding mixes….

OP posts:
Foldingchair · 03/01/2023 08:57

The menopause.

Am I peri?
Is it a sign or am I just tired?
Is this the beginning of menopausal depression or just part of my cycle?
When do i need to stop eating chocolate and drinking, to assuage menopause middle?
At what point do I need to go to a Dr and get on hrt?

I'm early 40s. Dm started menpause then and it appeared to last about 15 years.
I feel very much like I did at 13, wondering if I was ever going to have a period. But without the excitement.

Darcy101 · 03/01/2023 09:01

Ambient lighting! Ever since we had a room painted a year ago, the lovely green during the day now looks greyish at night.. it really bothers me. Haven’t got the energy to choose another colour, it took me many many tester pots last year and I still got it wrong 😱

latest obsession.. making sure my phone is always fully charged incase I have to ever go to a and e and partner can’t stay because they’re not allowed these days, the state of the nhs is on my mind a lot.

Obsessing over whether or not my current aches and pains will get worse, been doing this for years and no they haven’t so I wish I could stop that particular obsession!

AutumnCrow · 03/01/2023 09:37

Also, the state of my guts. What ingredients are in everything. Reading the small print to avoid IBS triggers** and boring everyone to tears including myself.

**I would like to deeply apologise for my use of the word ‘triggers’.

Judelawsnanny · 03/01/2023 10:12

Getting older, it worries me so much. I've always lain awake at night obsessing about climate change so nothing new there sadly

Moltenpink · 03/01/2023 10:52

Not wasting food

the obsession is resulting in some weird meals being served

Mentalpiece · 03/01/2023 10:56

Moltenpink · 03/01/2023 10:52

Not wasting food

the obsession is resulting in some weird meals being served

I hear you.
I served up quiche and chips for tea yesterday.
The fact that the unopened quiche had been lurking in the fridge with a use by date of 22nd December was neither here nor there.

Jaichangecentfoisdenom · 03/01/2023 10:57

Death.

Jammies · 03/01/2023 10:58

FlickFlackTrap · 02/01/2023 08:16

Women’s rights and the safeguarding of children.
If you’re not angry you’re not paying attention.

Same

Phrenologistsfinger · 03/01/2023 11:14

picklemewalnuts · 02/01/2023 10:31

I wonder if some of us have an empty space in our brain from micromanaging the house and children. As they grow up, the house doesn't get as trashed and we need something else to obsess about feeding.

I’m 40, childless after loss and I do all
the above as well, so your theory doesn’t bear out for me.

Phrenologistsfinger · 03/01/2023 11:18

I would add also feeding our visiting foxes and badger, and obsessing over what is the right food in the right amounts, at the right times to feed them so everyone gets something but not the local cats. Monkey nuts is the current winner, at around 12:30am.

Also, bee and insect friendly gardening, which plants do they like and what else can I plant?

Phrenologistsfinger · 03/01/2023 11:18

Women’s rights definitely a huge one as well!
and prepping for catastrophic climate breakdown.

Purplecatshopaholic · 03/01/2023 11:19

Chin hairs;
where the toilets are when we go out;
making sure all my boots have that protective spray on them;
the state of the world!

Original poster
BarrelOfOtters · 03/01/2023 11:25

Ah yes, planting for the bees. I've left all sorts of weeds on the allotment for the bees. Love to sit in the sun and listen to them.

Part of the reason I've not given up an allotment I really should give up is I'm worried the next person won't care about the bees as much.

Next obsession is probably putting back the wildlife pond we took out because of building work.

OP posts:
chimichangaz · 03/01/2023 11:28

When I might be able to afford to stop work or at least take a few months break. Obsessed with it.

beekindx · 03/01/2023 11:29

Women's rights and safeguarding children are things I feel everyone should be interested in.
I am obsessed with cleaning and my zoflora/ fabulosa collection 🫣🫣
I also obsess over towels being folded properly so they stack neatly in the airing cupboard and that the kitchen worktops are completely clutter free.

beekindx · 03/01/2023 11:32

I am also obsessed with saving by for a house, no spend days/ weeks/ months and monitoring my income/ expenses via a spreadsheet BlushBlushBlushBlush

ClearlySeeingTheFuture · 03/01/2023 11:41

Yes women’s rights. Safeguarding
single sex spaces. It’s scary what’s happening.

In a French restaurant this year my 11 year old came out of the toilet cubicle to wash her hands in a tiny room and there was a man using a urinal literally right next to her. Seems he was as horrified as she was. Ffs how is this ok?!

The shower blocks and toilets at the campsite we stayed at were also all mixed spaces. I went with her EVERY single time.

My eyes have been opened overnight.

Original poster
BarrelOfOtters · 03/01/2023 11:56

ClearlySeeingTheFuture · 03/01/2023 11:41

Yes women’s rights. Safeguarding
single sex spaces. It’s scary what’s happening.

In a French restaurant this year my 11 year old came out of the toilet cubicle to wash her hands in a tiny room and there was a man using a urinal literally right next to her. Seems he was as horrified as she was. Ffs how is this ok?!

The shower blocks and toilets at the campsite we stayed at were also all mixed spaces. I went with her EVERY single time.

My eyes have been opened overnight.

My sister's local in Scotland the urinals were in the corridor on the way to the ladies loos. They didn't have many women in their to be fair. Things were different in the 90s.

I think the urinal/cubicle combo is fairly common in Spain and France.

OP posts:
Gwenhwyfar · 03/01/2023 12:00

"In a French restaurant this year my 11 year old came out of the toilet cubicle to wash her hands in a tiny room and there was a man using a urinal literally right next to her. Seems he was as horrified as she was. Ffs how is this ok?!"

Most of the cheap cafes in Belgium have this. You have to walk past the urinals to get to the cubicle. It doesn't bother the Belgians...
They have also always allowed men into women's changing rooms in shops. When I've asked why nobody minds I'm told there are cubicles, but quite often the curtains don't close perfectly so it bothers me.

StarDolphins · 03/01/2023 12:04

Feeding the birds - my neighbours are opposed to this so I have to secretly feed the robins. Pack of peanuts creeping about like I’m burgling!

Also, saving & being extra frugal. I don’t earn much but I have to save something every single month.

Mentalpiece · 03/01/2023 12:04

Jaichangecentfoisdenom · 03/01/2023 10:57

Death.

Crikey, I didn't think the quiche was lethal 😲

Original poster
BarrelOfOtters · 03/01/2023 12:07

Like the secret robin feeding. Robins would be so totally up for that.

OP posts:
WeBuiltCisCityOnSexistRoles · 03/01/2023 13:38

I can't do anything to help with bird obsessions (cheepy annoying little fuckers who scare my cat) but for those fretting about womens rights, please take heart that not all the younger generation are on board with throwing our rights away, and lots of them are starting to wake up, change their views and fight back. I really do think the tide is turning. A couple of years ago my DCs were eyerolly and embarrassed about my phobic non inclusive views, now their eyes are fully open. To the point that one of my DDs was thrown out of a bar last week for protesting about men looking over the cubicles in the unisex toilet Hmm She managed to peak quite a few people on her way out Smile

AnnieSnap · 03/01/2023 13:43

AutumnCrow · 03/01/2023 09:37

Also, the state of my guts. What ingredients are in everything. Reading the small print to avoid IBS triggers** and boring everyone to tears including myself.

**I would like to deeply apologise for my use of the word ‘triggers’.

That’s my main worry to be honest. It’s a bit dark, so I chose not to say earlier. At 63, I’m not happy to be looking at old age, but I am fit and well. Mainly, I worry about my DH who is 69. I see him slowing down, less able to take on physically demanding tasks, less confident driving and I find myself worrying about losing him. We didn’t find each other until we were 49 and 55 and we are soul mates. To paraphrase Bette Davies “old age isn’t for sissies”! I don’t dwell on it, but the concern is always there. I tell myself we could live for another 30 years. We both have relatives who lived into their 90s, but our lives are changing and not for the better.

WestwardHo1 · 03/01/2023 13:43

The fact that my newly plastered wall in the bathroom won't take any paint, not even a mist coat. I have days when it's all I can think about.