Is anyone else totally shocked by their own age?

[Darkdiamond]

I feel like the last time I checked, I was around 29. I'm now 41 and feel like I've lost a decade! I've young kids, including a toddler so have spent the past 9 years pregnant, breastfeeding and in the thick of nappies, potty training, Paw Patrol and all things Young Kids. It has kid of blindsided me to the fact that I'm actually middle aged. In my head I'm late twenties and feel like things have been on pause since then (in a good way). I have friends around the same age with teenagers, kids at uni etc and I honestly don't think I'm old enough for that to even be possible, but it is? I was brushing my hair and caught sight of my hands and noticed they have aged a lot. Then I thought, yeah but you're in your 40s now! I'm still having regular periods, just stopped breastfeeding 6 months ago and I just don't feel any different!

Anybody else?

I'm 70 and I'm shocked when I see that old woman looking at me in the mirror, who is she?

I'm also frequently shocked that things that seem like yesterday are quoted as some historical extreme e.g. it is the highest/lowest/biggest/smallest something or other since 1982. So what, 1982 was yesterday wasn't it?

Yes! I'm 60 and have to remind myself now and again how old I am. In my head,I'm still only 18,mentally I honestly don't feel any different to how I felt at that age. Shame I can't say the same about my body.... On the day I turned 60,back in October,I thought 'How the actual fuck did this happen?! A few weeks ago I was 18!'.

Yes and it’s horrendous! I hate getting older. I’m really rubbish at it.

I was chatting with family today about Michael Mosley and I said, Well he was nearly 70 and my dc pointed out that he was only 7 years older than me. I was horrified and laughed in shock but felt quite weird about it.

Yes I have been 60 since last November and although grateful to be alive I still haven't totally come to terms with it!

I have to say though quite a few ladies c age 73 74 can still look really good at their age if fairly well groomed and not too overweight. I have seen them.

Yes. 46 and still not sure how it happened. Similar to you including a paw patrol obsessed 4 year old (and an 8 year old).

I fear it gets worse. How can I be nearly 50 and what is happening to my face 😫

I'm going into my sixth decade next year and like ' wtf happened there! ' ! 😂

Strange there are things I can't remember that well about my 40s , but everything about my 20s. Weird that.

I'll be 70 next year and certainly don't feel it.

I'm not aging well. Some old models you see online from my era still look fab , but I'm just not. It's a bit depressing, but obviously make up and a few hi-lights help a bit. lol
I do think some people age better than others ( even without any tweaks)

I'm wondering if we stop aging (in our mind) at the age when a significant event happened? This could also be children being born or something else.

@DuckOffAWatersBack this sent a chill down my spine. My mum died when I and my sisters were 30, 18 and 16 and I have always felt we have each been in some way 'stuck' at that age (my sisters especially- that was 16 years ago, the elder has always had a rebellious teenager streak and the younger has always seemed childlike and innocent in some hard to define way).

Both my parents were 76 when they died..........I'm only 10 years younger, and the speed at which time is flying past I'll reach that milestone the year after next.

I'm similar age to you - although my DC are teens.

In my head I'm mid 20s and DH is early 40s. I'm actually early 40s and DH pushing 60.

My PIL are long dead, my parents are hitting elderly and I feel like it's my job now to adult for all of us!

I know exactly what you mean - I'm 46 and I don't feel anywhere near that age!

But, I have noticed my friends aging, especially since we have hit our mid 40s - so I must be as well! What did strike me the other day is how many times I see a photo of a school friend and think they look identical to their parent (most often Mum, but sometimes Dad) - I guess because their parents were our age now when we were friends.

I am nearly 50 and not got round to adulting yet.

I'm 48, I still feel much younger in my head but when I look back at my job (been there a decade) I can feel the passage of time on my energy and patience levels.

My eldest child is 26 soon, my eldest daughter is nearly 24. I had my two eldest children by time I was her age!

I still mutter about my age, and I am a lot older than you, op. However, having lost my husband 6 years ago unexpectedly, the alternatively to not ageing, is not ageing 😲 I'm not up for the other.

My late husband was just 60. That's what I remind myself of. I've an active life and grandchildren, so I count my blessings, though having a good-natured grumble occasionally

I'm 44 this year, I have 2 teenagers and an almost teenager. Whenever I give my age, people are surprised and so I guess I must look or act younger. I don't feel mid 40s, well except for all the aches and pains that make me feel 100.

I know I'm 43 but definitely don't feel it. I've been with DH since I was 18 and our relationship has pretty much stayed the same over the years. I feel like I'm in my late 20s/ early 30s but I'm embracing my 40s. I have more disposable income, finally got a good job that suits me, my kids are teens/ preteens, they are more independent and cool to hang out with. DH and I have time to spend with each other. I wouldn't choose to go back to my 20s.

Yes! I seem to be hurtling towards 60 at a very fast pace.

Although the start of Peri did knock me for a loop earlier this year. Way too hormonal and emotional for my liking.

My daughter asked me how old I was the other day. I instantly answered “I’m 33” and my husband who overheard said “no you’re not, you’re 43!” I honestly thought I was a decade younger. Crazy!

I think there is a misconception that, when aging, people morph into an entirely different person. In my experience and the experiences of my friends we are all the person we’ve always been. Life has given us a few knocks along the way but basically we’re the same. I’m 69.

@Petrine I've always thought this- you are still you- same thoughts and neurosis - just in a body that doesn't seem to look quite the same

@Petrine and I'm 62

i went to sleep at 18 and woke up at 62. I am Rip Van Winckle.