Whe you hit 50, did you feel a shift, in the way you do when you hit 40?

[GrumpyCatHasFleas]

I've been alot more confident in my 40s than my younger years, and ive enjoyed it
And I'm woundering what it's like when you get to 50?
How did you find it.?

I am very nearly there but don't feel any different

It's not good. Although that might have had something to do with me turning 50 alone, under lockdown.

No, but then I didn’t feel anything at 40 either. I am a lot more confident than I was when I was younger but that has been a gradual change.

Oh no, that must have felt hard and weird

It's difficult to tease out how much of my negativity around being in my 50s was due to this, how much was menopause and how much is due to my children growing up and away. During COVID we heard so much about 'over 50s' being a vulnerable group, as if there was very little difference between 50 and 80 and it felt suddenly as if I was regarded as old, even though logically risks rise gradually throughout our lives.

40s definitely felt much better than 50s generally.

@GrumpyCatHasFleas at 40 felt nothing and at 50 nothing but then approx 50 and a few months later - that’s a different story! 😅 Developed awful gastro issues for first time in my life, joints suddenly hurt more and for some reason started getting flare ups of eczema still ongoing on my face. Also, headaches seem more prevalent. And ALL for the first time ever after recently 50! Oh and at 51 noticed the start of an ugly bunion developing also on one foot! 😭

Fingers xd my experience isn’t a common one!

Yes well as late 40s I already experience health wasn’t what it was and I think it’s also mad to think in not much more then 10years I’ll be 60, if I’m lucky that is
and that is definitely old

50’s very different due to SO many factors not least the “invisibility “ aspect.

Its peak perimeno time so having to cope with multiple physical and psychological symptoms is extremely tough and has eroded my personality to be unrecognisable.

Coupled with extreme appearance changes due to hair greying, weight gain and body shape changing, morphing into “old lady” territory is also extremely tough to accept.

And really not in a good way.
I have been very unhappy in my 50’s as a usually upbeat, positive hard working individual all my life I have been lost.

I didn't feel any different at 40, 50, or 60. I certainly don't feel "definitely old" either!!

I emigrated at 50 so it's hard to unpick feelings about the milestone when there was so much going on that year.

No, the only real difference is the physical effects of perimenopause, otherwise no difference.

I turned 50 this past December and there has been a shift in my mindset and my confidence, I feel like I am on the right path in terms of being true to myself. Yes there’s issues with peri etc as pp have said, but because the confidence in who I am is rising, I am able to cope with everything else.

I agree, you suddenly become invisible. Well it isn't sudden, obviously you don't wake up one day changed, but personally one day of note you see it in the mirror, you just can't unsee it again. And then all your self worth and worth in life comes into question and it isn't even about perimenopause or menopause. I really don't know how to reconcile it all. I don't live in a land where botox and chin lifts are a thing.

Energy levels plummeted, perimenopause probably

I loved hitting 50. Obviously not the “closer to death” aspect but I found I had a big mental shift. I learnt to distinguish between the big stuff and small stuff and no longer concern myself with the small stuff like I would have done previously.
I just feel more confident and more settled than ever before.

I guess I was lucky that I went through menopause quite early so could enjoy my early fifties

I’m about to hit 50 and have a 6 year old DS. I’ve never felt better in my entire life.

I’m convinced that many people act in a way commensurate with their stage in life rather than age.

I know people younger than me who are grandparents and act as if they are one step away from being admitted to a nursing home.

I’m not far off 60 and have never felt better at any stage in my life - zero fucks to give about most things, well-respected at work and lucky enough financially that I can leave if anyone starts to piss me off too much. I agree with whoever said about the ‘over 50s’ being described as one homogenous lump which is annoying! And yes I’m now invisible but what can you do?

You aren’t in old lady territory, that’s 70+ and you can make changes if you don’t like it.. dye hair, exercise to a healthy weight and nice shape, makeup, nice clothes etc. You sound unhappy with yourself but it doesn’t have to be like that.

I never understand this invisibility thing? I’ve always noticed the older people are more visible, more a part of the community, always talking to everyone. I’ve asked my mum and older relatives and they say things like they finally felt heard and taken seriously.

The single best thing I did for myself on turning 50 was to join the local gym, sign up with a personal trainer & take up weightlifting.

I would really, really recommend it for health (bone density, strength, toning) & also confidence.

No it isn't.

I'm 58 and feel about 30. But then I was diagnosed with arthritis in my 20s so my body has been old forever.

Knackered and pissed off with life at 50. No existential worry about getting old. I have no energy for that type of thing.

I loved turning 50. Still loving my fifties. It coincided with some huge changes for me. I found myself again. Sorted out my head and my fitness. Feel better than I can ever remember. Fearless and DGAF what people think of me. It's awesome. Life is great.

Mixed bag for me. On the one hand, my career is going well and I'm earning the most I ever have and am happy in work, DD is now a young adult and is an excellent human, I have lovely friends and I look ok. On the other, I am a few years post menopause and my body feels exhausted, I need to address this, but not sure how and I still rent post divorce so that hangs over me. I feel the health stuff is my biggest barrier/aim. I'm very aware of being on the downward side of the hill now - in a couple of years I'm the age my mum was when she died, so that feels very real now I'm 50.