to think that 40 years of age

[SoleSource]

is not OLD as in past it, dicrepit.

You planning to pop your clogs at 70, IvyKate ?

backforgood - no 80 as I explained up thread

Might take a while, Sole. I don't think any of us are very quick on these zimmers...

Hecate

I'm 25, and don't feel that 40 is old at all.
Although, I spend a lot of time with my grandad, who was 80 last week and is still as active as a 50 year old so maybe that colours my judgement on age somewhat. He's an absolute inspiration to me- people always think he's my dad as he looks so well for his age!

Sorry Ivy - I tend to open 3 or 4 tabs, then answer what's there when I open them, not what gets posted in between

Write lines.....

Must remember to 'refresh'...

Young is 0-30
Middle aged is 30-60
And old is 60-90 +

So it's evenly parceled out innit? It don't mean nuffink though, on the whole.

I don't think 40 is OLD, but for some things it is, like getting up the duff over the course of a weekend, or becoming a sprinter, but it does bug me that there is a general consensus that you have to have achieved your goals/ambitions by 40 otherwise you are on the scrapheap.

A lot of people do give up their ambitions because of this, and it's a shame.
I hate to see people settle into comfy middle age, and lose their fire.

The worst thing in the world as you get older is the way youth is celebrated so much (30 under 30 features in magazines for example) and yet older people have so much more wisdom, humour and subtlety about them, which can really be put to good use.

Last week, I was out on Thursday night / Friday morning till 4am. Saturday night, I got home at 9am Sunday morning and then did a loooong boozy lunch on Monday. Now, granted, it took me all week to recover but I've still the stamina of an ox! Back on the gin right now, hic!

Also, I look waaaay better at 43 than I ever did at 23 or 33. More idea of what suits me and more money to spend on said suitable items and decent haircuts, exercise classes, facials and botox*

And I couldn't give less of a fuck about other's opinions so am more content, chilled, less insecure, anxious or needy.

40+ has most definitely rocked in my world.

*not really yet

How is 30 middle aged?! That would make life expectancy 60, which it isn't. I'd say 40 is not even middle aged - interestingly, the ONS says that 89 is the most common age at death for women (the mode?).

Age is a number. By even talking about it you give it power. I'm forty soon and I can't wait. Life begins!

I am 43 and in my prime just like Miss Jean Brodie.

I agree, sole, 40 is not old. Older and wiser, maybe, but not old.
I used to think anybody that age was ready for croaking it, (when I was about 8). but here I am still breathing, at the tender age of 47...

......and remember that we live longer these days, too

Yes, there's no way that life expectancy is 70! Not in most of the UK at any rate.

Isn't it 87 or so for women?

Every age is a blessing as you are still alive so enjoy.

If you reach 40 in good health then you are bloody lucky.

I still feel about 21, only a lot more confident and a lot less caring about what anyone else thinks

I don't think 40 is old, but then I'm 39.

40 is ancient to 20 year olds.

I thought so when I was getting rid of my grey hair today

but no i dont think I am that old that im ready for the knackers yard

40 is ancient to 20 year olds.

I have a 20 year old

Well a fortune teller told me I'm going to live to be 84 so I won't be middle aged until 42. 8 years left!

a lady I volunteer with is in her late 60s maybe early 70s and she was talking about when she goes on holiday and she goes out at 11 pm I thought but I am looking to go to bed at that time

I still remember a friend of my DC's saying when he was about 10...

"Chaotic, you know while you're old"...I was 28 at the time

35 isnt middle ages is it no it cant be women are having their first babies at 35

I am completely with Ifancyashandy.
I am a few weeks off 40 and last week went out with some younger friends and had a ball. I was also chatted up lots.
I think it is confidence and a lack of embarrassment. It is the same in the gym. I now genuinely do not care if I look like a red sweaty guppy next to the slender teens on the next treadmill. I just don't.

That is so empowering!

I feel better in my own skin now than I ever have.

Forty does feel old... Once we hit 35 it starts to feel olddddd!