Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Don't really feel alive after 65..🤔

60 replies

wavingfuriously · 24/01/2025 21:01

Any reasons to be cheerful that you can think of ?

OP posts:
Fordian · 27/01/2025 11:26

@LostittoBostik (great name!)

I'd agree, actually, I think exercise would benefit me. I'm certainly pretty overweight, BMI well into the 30s. I've done Dry Jan this year, expecting to see the weight loss benefits, but I've lost 2lbs in 27 days. I'm considering Mounjaro, if I'm honest.

I'm a bit sceptical because of an event in the past. In my mid 30s, DH and I went on a fitness jag. Gym 3x a week, careful diet, cycling and walking a lot, for 5 months. Apart from being able to walk up hill for longer, it made more or less no difference to me! My weight stayed the same, my clothes size stayed stable, no one noticed any difference in me! That psychologically closed a bit of a door to me, if I'm honest.

The one thing that definitely did change me was walking, but I'm talking up and down the foothills of the Himalayas for weeks, carrying a backpack, in my mid 20s. Not so practical in suburban Hampshire...

But I know I need to be doing something more.

wavingfuriously · 27/01/2025 11:43

Lentilweaver · 26/01/2025 19:40

Fair enough.
I am just thinking that even a day trip on your own from time to time is good for busy parents. With free things like a museum or art gallery. Basically feed your soul.

Agree with this 👌

OP posts:
MadameHomais · 27/01/2025 12:06

I’m a bit younger than you. I generally feel positive. My dh gets on my nerves by saying he can’t believe we are the age we are and laments how old his friends are:)) And then gets all gloomy.
I don’t think one should dwell on age.
I am though, delighted that I have reached this age. I often think of my friends, and there were quite a few, who died as young women mainly due to cancer but one in a road accident.
So I count my blessings and try and keep fit.
I wish I didn’t have so many grand ma duties. Hopefully as I spend so much time with young people it helps with my outlook.
Its blooming shattering though! Somehow it’s comforting to read all the responses from women of a similar age.

Giggorata · 27/01/2025 12:27

There are some lovely posts on here that resonate with me, about taking pleasure in small things - and sometimes in huge things, like the night sky and nature, and seeing family.
Much easier to do, now that I'm retired and not running about desperately trying to keep all the plates spinning.

I am nearly seventy and have less energy and some aches, etc, not to mention the heart business, so I have to rest more, but I am accessing all sorts of interesting lectures and podcasts online whilst I do so, plus reading loads of books, real and on Kindle. Pretty low cost, with charity shop books and the 99p section on Kindle..
And having time actually to listen to music is wonderful; I now play whole albums from my collection, instead of just my favourite tracks.

I know I should be walking more and plan to get moving when it’s less bloody cold! Again, having time to do that seems like a gift. If I took time out for a really long walk when I was working, there was always the issues of reports to write, or housework that wasn’t getting done at the back of my mind.

None of these things cost a lot, neither does the occasional trip to town and a tea shop, gallery or the oldies day at the cinema.

DH prefers to do his local retirement job (too outing, as is the MN tradition) and the village pub, but I decided that wasn't all I wanted, so my friend and I have days out, visit friends and in the summer, go on camps and festivals.
We take all home comforts with us, including a teapot, carpet, fairy lights and her canary in its cage (the joys of having a van). Not so much glamping, as Gramping.

SereneCapybara · 27/01/2025 12:30

@Giggorata I love 'gramping'! Did you make that up? Genius.

Augustus40 · 27/01/2025 12:30

Surprised that more people aren't working age 65 plus. I will be.

Augustus40 · 27/01/2025 12:34

What about volunteer work for those with time on their hands?

Giggorata · 27/01/2025 12:37

SereneCapybara · 27/01/2025 12:30

@Giggorata I love 'gramping'! Did you make that up? Genius.

I think I did, I haven't seen it anywhere else.

And, I kid you not, she brought a doily!

jannier · 27/01/2025 13:43

JaneWolfHall · 24/01/2025 21:08

You don't need to go to work any more and your time is your own. No boss, no alarm clock, no worry about redundancy and no exhaustion.
You can do all the things you did not have time for when working. You can keep busy with hobbies, volunteering, keeping fit, days out, babysitting grandchildren - whatever suits you.

Assuming the pension is enough to retire on

RunnerDown · 27/01/2025 21:11

Fordian · 27/01/2025 11:26

@LostittoBostik (great name!)

I'd agree, actually, I think exercise would benefit me. I'm certainly pretty overweight, BMI well into the 30s. I've done Dry Jan this year, expecting to see the weight loss benefits, but I've lost 2lbs in 27 days. I'm considering Mounjaro, if I'm honest.

I'm a bit sceptical because of an event in the past. In my mid 30s, DH and I went on a fitness jag. Gym 3x a week, careful diet, cycling and walking a lot, for 5 months. Apart from being able to walk up hill for longer, it made more or less no difference to me! My weight stayed the same, my clothes size stayed stable, no one noticed any difference in me! That psychologically closed a bit of a door to me, if I'm honest.

The one thing that definitely did change me was walking, but I'm talking up and down the foothills of the Himalayas for weeks, carrying a backpack, in my mid 20s. Not so practical in suburban Hampshire...

But I know I need to be doing something more.

I’ve enjoyed going to the gym and I also walk 6-8 miles on days when the weather is better. ( I’m in Scotland so not walked much over the winter) I don’t look any diffferent and I’ve put on a couple of pounds. But I’m definitely stronger and I am doing it to reduce my risk of poor mobility and falls as I get even older. I do classes because my motivation on my own is rubbish, and I will never be a true gym bunny . But I feel so much less sluggish than before

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread