What is middle-aged behaviour / mannersisms?

[Jeannne92]

DH (42) has started getting angry at things said on TV (e.g. news reports) and shouts at the TV. To me (43) this creates the impression of the stereotypical angry old man shouting at birds.

Then I think that I must surely do things or have started doing or saying things that are stereotypically middle-aged too. What sort of behaviour do you think of as middle-aged?

Complaining- not grumbling, actually taking complaining action, to whoever / about whatever and being delighted at a positive outcome.
New piercings and / or tattoos.
Walking holidays.

Writing to your local councillor
Reporting flytipping and graffiti - also guilty of those, although TBF I've always done that.

So much stuff on here is me.

This is the best thread I’ve read in a long time - lots of ‘laugh out loud’ stuff here! (Or LOLs to the yoots)
I think i was born middle aged! Having spent the majority of my life trying and failing to be someone I’m not and live up to ideals and expectations (from the media etc but mostly myself) having recently learnt to embrace middle age is absolutely joyful! I think the best thing is the power to not give a fuck!

Realising you know your way round the local hospital!

Buying cosy PJs instead of high heels…

Great, innit?

A sudden and unexplainable appreciation for pottery.

The council's website for reporting obstructions of the pavement is one of my most frequently visited.

First name terms with chiropodist and thus only buying expensive but somewhat stylish shoes because no longer able to wear heels.

Going to friends children's weddings

Listening to BBC 2 and 4.

Not wanting to expose upper arms

Avoiding places that will be crowded or noisy

Only going to gigs that have seating otherwise bringing your own.

Thinking that I wouldn't be fit to walk around all day , or finding travrel tedious .

Preferring matinées rather than evening shows

I was taken to A & E in Jan. and DH was able to help the firemen find the right entrance as he knows the hospital so well! We also had a good chat afterwards comparing 'his' hospital to 2 others where we've been patients recently.

Judging by the state of me today, I'll go with :

"Not being able to cope with a late night partying any more"

Ow.

Preferring matinées rather than evening shows

As do I - in fact I realised a while back that (taking the rubbish out aside) I can't actually remember when I was last out after dark. I think it was 2021 when I left exjob.

I'm slightly shocked at how much I'm turning into DM.

Bada bada! 😁

I'm heartened to see that having an unopened packet of biscuits is a sign of middle age. All packets of biscuits in this house are opened promptly: ergo I must not be middle aged.

Although- reading glasses. Either putting them on, or looking for them, or polishing the lenses, or being unable to find a pair and asking either of the DC to read things for me. That, to me, is middle aged.

My mum recently declared that I’m now middle aged, as I bought my first pair of slippers.
also
getting cross when Corrie is moved to a different day

Gabbling to admire a younger colleagues tattoo whilst explaining why you've not got one.

Answer: could never work out where to have one that wouldn't stretch to render unrecognisable eg small bluebird now albatross

Mowing

Having a clean car "ooh and they give you an air freshener too"

Contemplating dog walking holidays over AI in Ibeza

Not forgetting the immense satisfaction of a defrosted freezer.

Oh jeez you’ve just described me ffs 🤦🏻‍♀️ That’s it. Fuck it. I’m moving to Morocco and getting a toy boy.

DH won’t mind. Another sign of middle age.

And assuming that other people will be interested - "Ooh Jane, have you seen my new salad bowl?"

Going from really cold to overwhelmingly roasting hot in a nano second
Debating whether the third decaf tea of the evening is a risk worth taking
Saying 'in my day' FFS I can't stop myself
Preferring the company of cats and books to people
Exercising caution when going up and down stairs
Judging deeper steps before attempting to step up or down
Saying no without fear of recrimination
Being unafraid of what's next to come in life - you've coped before, you'll cope again
Not having to say yes to work socials and no-one asking for explanation
Liking silence
Radio 4

This morning I sent a friend a photo of my new seedlings. She was genuinely pleased to see it. We must be middle aged!

DH is obsessed with recycling.

@Shodan Coo-ool 😁

Your esthetic ambitions become "looking good for your age". Although "letting yourself go" feels very tempting.

According to my little sister it’s using the 😂 emoji. I use it on MN because I don’t think 💀would have the same meaning to lots of us. Apparently, it’s very millennial and cringe.

I'm loving these, and like a few here I've been doing them since my 30s at least, but my addition is regarding my wedding, nearly 2 decades into our relationship. It was the coldest time of year, a heavy frost, a little ice. It was just a quiet registry event with two witnesses, and aside from that we had the day to ourselves. DH wore his best fleece. I wore a smart denim skirt and layers under a wool jumper. We were both in boots and wool socks, heavy coats, scarves, gloves. After a lunch out we stopped by the local shop because they have good bread before heading home, and after a pleasant evening we went to bed early. We had such a lovely day. I could go on and on about it, it felt properly special.

Love this! Love DH wearing his best fleece.😂