At what age did you start feeling old?

[heartbroken22]

I'm 34 years old and have started to feel old. I have 3 kids, sahm...recently we went to the airport and a man who looked same age as me in security said 'aunty is this your milk' referring to my babies milk bottle. I felt so embarassed and for the first time I felt 'old'.

I don't feel old physically as I'm fit and active and have maintained my face and figure but I do feel old when modern music is feted by young people and it's just a load of crap to my ears!

Probably when Taylor Swift started becoming popular, I realised I was old!

I think you are confusing things. Even if he had assumed you were the granny that wouldn't make you feel physically old. It might upset you that someone thinks you look old. At 34 you are not remotely old but as the mother of small children you might be feeling a bit knackered, look a bit worse for wear. If those things are true of you and its making you feel a bit sensitive then take it as a signal to start putting yourself first. Make sure you are eating well, getting enough vitamins, getting rest and exercise. Take time to get hair cuts, shop for make up if it's your thing. Do not feel you need to put others first all the time. And do not feel guilty for taking time to do things that make you feel good even if you think others will judge you for it.

He could have an asian partner. Or have spent time in Asia.

I've worked with teenagers my whole career, so I've felt old for a long time!

It's different things. I think I felt old in my 30s, when I had small children. But that was because I wasalready tired and aching and not having fun.

In my 40s, I'm having fun like in my teens again- going to gig and going out etc.

I don't feel old when I'm running.

I feel old when I can't do a full day's hard labour in the garden anymore, when dh and I used to do loads of home improvements and could go for hours. I guess it's stamina. But it is frustrating that I don't have the same energy levels I had. Nothing major, but it's there.

I don't feel old at all , l am 64 next birthday and feel just the same mentally tbh .
Physically of course things have changed but they don't really bother me .

I remember my youngest starting school just as I turned 40 and in the playground desperately hoping she would loudly say mummy in fear of being mistaken for gran! Not so much for how I felt I looked but the majority of mums were mid to late 30's.

Now, about to hit 47, I still feel and think like I'm late 20s, silly childish at times but the hint of jowl's and some crepey skin, plus clicky knees and bunions, I get a stark reminder once in a while.

But just that I am aging. Am not old as such, just winding down a little.

*mid to late 20s sorry

I'm 46 and don't feel old yet. One 13yo dd.

Aunty was respect for your status as mother, rather than an age comment.

Was he South Asian? Ma’am would be more usual in the UK.

He definitely called you auntie? You sure it wasn't, "...and, eh, is this your milk?" or "...and here, is this your milk?"
I'm mid 40s and don't feel old. I don't feel young either I just feel mid 40s and mostly feel ok with that. I have moments where I think my age sounds older than I'd like it to, but mostly I don't think about it. Though I do have some new wrinkles on my neck but I take it as a badge of honour, ageing is after all a privilege that many don't have the chance to experience.

Many northern Indians are very fair and have light eyes.

Just because he looked "white" doesn't mean he wasn't also Asian.

Taylor Swift will be 36 years old this year, she's not exactly young either. Strange thing to say when a lot of her music is pretty decent. And I say this as a gen X teen myself. Allowing music to pass us by is often when people start seeming old, there's a lot of good current music around if we give it a chance.

Only if addressing a member of the RF or an officer...

Never heard anyone else use ma'am. Madam, yes.

Physically? 38 when I realised I couldn't just bounce up from the floor anymore. I have to flop on the couch now 😭

Mentally I am still 19 though.

Someone replaced my hands with an old lady's at some point last year.

I remember being called Madame instead of Madomeselle in France I was 34 and my world came to an end 😂

I'm 54 now and feel old you have years in you yet.

I remember looking in a changing room mirror when I was 36 and thinking that I looked old. However back then, my dress sense was very frumpy so that didn't help.
A couple of decades later I actually think I look better. I wear nicer clothes and am lucky not to have any wrinkles.

I have had plenty of South Asian younger men address me as Ma’am. Aunty is usually reserved for family members or friends.

Probably early forties but it was due to serious illness.

I get you. I agree with pps that you may have misinterpreted that man's comment. But maybe, as a SAHM of three, you feel depleted and exhausted and that is what makes you feel older. Maybe you have some Vitamin D or iron defficiency. I think getting fit is the answer (fit as in healthy and active, well with your physical self). Take comfort in knowing you are objectively young 😉 and take care 💐

I thought it was an Asian polite term too!

That’s really strange then.

I think you can feel older when your kids are little than you do when you're in your actual 50's!

I mean you're not in your twenties so sure, you're not a very young adult any more but you are most definitely still young!! It just may not feel like it in the daily grind of your life at the moment.

And you won't really appreciate how young you are now till you are twenty years older and 30 year olds seem like babies to you 😊

You are young - enjoy it!

I heard a 14 year old refer to me as “that old woman” when I was 46. That was a moment!

Oh no 😂.

Yes - I was called Madame in Morocco at age 46 but it was probably quite correct to assume I’d be married by then.