Do you feel in your prime or past your peak?

[MeekSqueak]

Do you feel in your prime? I was thinking about this today.

I’m 58, with a good career (though I no longer strive for further promotion) and a decent circle of friends and family around me.

I’m good at my job and believe I’m respected.

But I probably felt at peak prime a few years back rather than now.

@BringBackCatsEyes I suppose it all depends how you define 'in your prime' - prime of health, energy, career, earning capacity, self .

To me in my sixties, I've been stronger physically, I've earned more, held more responsible positions - but now, just when I suppose many people would think I'm past my prime I feel like I've never felt more at my peak in other areas.

Peace of mind, feeling comfortable in my own skin, I've never had more knowledge, I've learned from my mistakes, the friends I have are largely people who've been my friend for decades. I know what works for me, know my limits, know what I like. I have more confidence than ever, I work hard to stay as fit as I can. I hope I've never been more open minded and know I've never had more time to enjoy life or do the things I want to well and meaningfully.

This feels like my prime to me.

I'm at my absolute peak with my fitness - running, weightlifting, building muscle.

Past my prime looks wise although still look pretty good when I go out, if I say so myself!

I'm 50 (and hate typing that!!)

I think the prime of life is when all those things combined are at their best.
I would say you are in in your personal wellbeing prime, but not your career or physical health prime (I'm not saying your unhealthy but a 60 year old is not at the peak of their health...we're just wearing out!).

I guess reaching your prime financially/career wise before now has enabled you to feel in your prime in other areas. You sound happy and content. Winning!

God...I've never typed prime so many times at once!

46, getting regular chest pains, hands and feet swollen, skin and hair in worst condition ever, minimum wage job that I like but is tough going and seeing the wage when I’ve broken my back at unsociable hours and missed being around my kids all weekend … past prime. I feel 90

That sounds tough @Morepositivemum
Do you know the source of the chest pains? That sounds scary.

Physically past my prime, sadly! Loving the middle-aged giving zero fucks what people think and taking up space though. I suspect I’ve yet to peak in that department.

I’m past my peak now at 50. Even though I’m much slimmer at my ideal weight now and more active, I feel good and look quite good but don’t think I’m at my peak.
When I was at my peak I didn’t know that my peak so it was wasted. Maybe I should decide I am peaking now

You've hit the nail on the head with 'personal wellbeing prime'. Thanks for summing up exactly what I meant - couldn't have put it better myself.

I’m not sure I had a peak

After years if people saying how young looking and great I am, people actively choose to move away or speak to someone else,
I look ropey as growing in grey and not aging well facially. I am aghast how much looks matter as an older female,

Just turned 57 and absolutely hit my peak now! Long may it last.

Feel good about myself. Am working towards good strength and fitness. Realise what's important in my life and going for it.

Life couldn't be that much better!

BringBackCatsEyes

I’ve had the pains while having an ecg so they’re not totally worried but they think it’s a mixture of asthma, perimenopause and just stress and exhaustion (which sounds funny when I write it!) Don’t mind me, I just had a flashback to what in my prime was and it’s only a few years ago and I was incredulous that it seemed so long ago that I was running, working in a well paying job etc etc but two of my kids didn’t exist yet and I wouldn’t trade them for the world so swings and roundabouts!

Definitely felt in my prime in my 50's but not thinking I have peaked just yet

I always had this idea as a child that come 30 I'd be an adult and grown up and know it all - well that didnt happen. 40's I think I was feeling a tad lost, not sure where I was going, what I should/ could have done - and peri-menopause - 40's weren't great.

50's - FANTASTIC

Now Im in my 60's I have all those revelations to myself I experienced in my 50's, but now the body is giving me gyp. Things hurt, Energy is reduced

But Im battling on. I see the woman I was becoming and Im keeping hold , even though changes are slower

Ive not peaked yet

I'm 60, so of course I'm past my peak! Death will be the next big thing 🤣

57 and sadly way past my peak.
Physically I am tired, overweight and aching, I have just been prescribed hearing aids in both ears ffs. I feel fucking knackered and old.
Mentally I just feel like I am swimming hard to keep my head above water, anxious and sometimes just really, really sad.
I work hard in a low paid, highly stressful job because it fits around caring for my disabled teenage ds.
I know how lucky I am to have the wonderful dh and dcs that I have, but sometimes I just feel so fucking worn down.

I’m a similar vintage to you, OP. Physically, I’m well past my prime by any objective criteria. I now need glasses to drive safely. My hearing isn’t as sharp as it was. My shoulder is stiff. My knee aches. My body can’t bend as freely, run as fast or lift as much as it used to. I now have to watch what I eat very carefully in order to maintain a healthy weight which is very annoying.

Mentally, fortunately, I still feel as sharp as ever (possibly a little too sharp at times) and my mental health is very good. Temperamentally, I'm definitely less sociable than I was in my 20s. II’m also more impatient & more assertive. I no longer suffer fools, and I don’t care if this sometimes makes me unpopular.

Absolutely.
I'm 56 and the heaviest I've ever been and obviously have other signs of physical ageing. But mentally I'm rhe strongest I've ever been.
Spiritually peaceful and emotionally stable.
I finally know who I am.

52 and feel I am peaking more each year. My body isn't the best but o my best at keeping fit and esting well. Equally importantly every year a care less and less what others think of me. So am doing what I want..
I now have the chance to go out lots and lots as have no more young kids to worry about. Feel I wont live hugely long (various health shit) so am maxing out the time I have.

I’m in my peak now, I feel, at the age of 53! For the first time ever, I’m taking care of myself and eating well, taking my supplements and getting exercise and strength training. My skin is fucking awesome and my new haircut gives me such confidence. I know I’m 53 and things can change quickly, but I’ve never felt so well about myself in YEARS. This is about mental attitude from within - I don’t care for designer clothes and branded items - I buy everything second hand/Vinted, and I live for natural cosmetics and skincare so hardly any make-up and zero procedures. I dress for comfort and for my body and it makes me feel comfortable and happy.

Your real prime comes when you realise you were measuring the wrong things.

Yes!!!

My peakness fell off a cliff at 60. Up until then I felt physically and mentally well . Now I feel a physical wreck , every muscle screams since I started strength training at the gym and I seem to search longer for the words I want , I used to be very eloquent in a high powered job , now I’d be surprised if I could fluently return a library book
( not really but feels like it ) .

49 and in my peak.
Best job and highest paid I've had.
In good health having lost 31/2 stone and am working out a lot.
Mentally really well
Relationship super stable, communication has really improved.
Very financially solvent.

Oh well bloody said.
Amen to this ⬆️

Hattie, have you tried creatine? It’s done absolute wonders for my elderly Mam. Her brain fog has lifted entirely.

53 and feel like im hitting my peak now (well, except my joints they are past it!!LOL).
But TBF in my 20s-40s I was clinically obese, depressed, unfit, tired, stressed, just miserable.
Im now normal weight, exercise regularly, eat well, semi retired (just work 2 nights a week) happy and give zero f**ks about anybody elses opinion.
Maybe Id feel different if I hadnt been a total mess during my younger years!