To feel a bit depressed to be turning 50?

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1. Fifty. FIFTY. It sounds so ooolllllddd. I feel 25 inside. Your mum always said that didn't she and you looked at her wrinkly face and boring life and thought 'yeah ok'.
2. I know the alternative to turning 50 is not turning 50 and I am lucky to be here, happy-ish and healthy-ish
3. Do I celebrate like a loon and invite every man or beast I've met over the last five decades or I do I have a quiet dinner and cry into my Champers?

Anyone else in the same boat. Any words of encouragement or positive vibes to send my way?

Turning 50 is fine and I found it quite liberating. It’s no longer seen as middle aged. I’ve been to more gigs this year than or a long time, because you not tied down with kids etc. There’s a real sense of freedom.

Also, if you don’t want to, don’t have a big party. I didn’t, a few days in London. I won’t even say I had a ‘quiet’ birthday, because that always sounds second class. Yes, it wasn’t all singing and dancing, but it was still fabulous.

"Love my work, paid off my mortgage, reasonably comfortably off, travelling a lot, got married,"

They are all very personal events and won't be most people's norms.

I feel a bit stuck because if I don't provide childcare for my grandchildren they will live in poverty.

My Mum's just died, after me being her carer, which probably hasn't helped my financial or social situation.

Age isn't just a number. Making friends etc is more difficult as we get older.

I am already 50 ( plus now), and I hated it. Now I'm past that,it's fine. Heading towards 60 (gulp) although a few more years yet!.
My tip? Give no fucks. Embrace it! I still dress how I bloody well like, wear fashionable clothes and pay attention to my appearance. Only the mirror and my date of birth remind me of my advancing years.... Plan to travel as much as I can ( within my budget).
My husband turns 50 in March and is utterly bloody miserable .
Mortgage paid off in 5 years so looking forward to more disposable income.

I’m 55 and never got into the milestone birthday thing
I would recommend a holiday or short break if you can afford
Might eat my words at 60 though as that potentially feels old!

I think when I turned 30 I'd just had dc1 and by 40 I'd just had dc3, so was otherwise occupied. In my 40's there have been some big bereavements and other changes which have changed my mindset/made me aware of the passing of time. I've a fab husband, 3 great dcs, some amazing friends....but I still feel "oh fuck, 50!"

We went to NYC a few years ago for our silver wedding and I think we might go back this year for our 50ths. We are not particularly well travelled and as I get older I'd rather travel than party.

You have 3 ages,

The one in your passport
The one in your head
The one in the mirror

Take your pick!

I don't know why people stress about getting older, it proves you're still alive!

I'm 72 next month, I keep factorising it, I like 71, I'm in my 'prime'.

About to turn 52 and quite happy about it.
For my 50th we had a great evening in the pub drinking shots and then pizza at home. It helps that I have dc in late 20s/early 30s who still love going out with me.
I cried when I was 40. Thought it was horribly old but now I m resigned to it as it beats the alternative!

I'm 60 shortly and cant wait! I am fitter than I was at 50, happy and loving life.

I turn 60 this year and I’m far less worried about that, as opposed to 50 which was like Armageddon!

3. Do I celebrate like a loon and invite every man or beast I've met over the last five decades or I do I have a quiet dinner and cry into my Champers?

Do both! I'm a couple of years behind you and I intend to laugh and cry very loudly when it's my turn.

@madcatladyforever, totally agree about the menopause making that stage in life a hard one. Sadly it has hit me badly and I have aged a lot because of it, mainly as a result of it causing havoc to my sleep and the inevitable constant exhaustion I feel as a result.

Can I ask when you started to feel better? Also, those who say that the 50s are/were great, did you work full time (and always have). Because almost all the women I know in their 50s who still work full time are exhausted!

I'm 52 and envy my older colleagues as they're closer to retirement!

Turning 50 beats the alternative ...

I loved turning 50, I realised I was old enough not to take any shit from anyone.
I could match or unmatch my underwear, my choice. Didn't have to do anything for appearance's sake.
Look at it as freedom.

I’m 45 and when I had my birthday I thought mid mid mid

I’m enjoying 40s though hopefully 50 and beyond will be ok

I was 50 last year. I threw a party. I had a photo booth, disco, party food, vodka jellies, booze soaked haribo type sweets. I put party poppers, bubbles, stick on moustaches, leis, and other party bag type goodies on the tables. It was so much fun. I have had a great year & feel the best about myself that i have ever felt.

I was 50 last November. Yes I did feel a bit depressed about it. But my (younger) husband threw me a fantastic party and then we buggered off to Barbados for 2 weeks without the kids a couple of days later and that certainly helped me to get over being old!

Treat yourself to something nice and congratulate yourself on being 50 and fabulous!

I am not fifty yet , but when I turn fifty it won’t bother me. I suppose I don’t care about the actual number, I just want to make sure that I am healthy and look good.
I look good now and I intend to stay that way.
I won’t have a party, because I don’t like parties, but I am going to have a great time
If you think that you are old, you are old

Snap - the best years are yet to come.

I cried a river when I turned 40. When I got to 50 however, that was a whole new world. I still dress the same and act the same as I always have, but now I give zero fucks what people think of me. Also anytime I make a mistake or say something a bit daft I can just put it down to being menopausal and middle-aged and not give it another thought. I shall consider myself "old" when I'm no longer at the front of a gig or dancing until the wee small hours in an indie club. Age and maturity are not linked so enjoy your inner youth and remember you're old enough to know better, but young enough not to care.

I felt very low in myself for a couple of months preceding turning 50. Can't explain it, other than to say I felt sad.

Strangely, once the birthday was over, it was like a light switch inside me. I was absolutely fine and completely moved on.

Very strange!
I'm really enjoying my 50's.
Best wishes.

It's definitely about how you feel and your mindset.
The number itself, doesn't really matter.
I have known some very, very old 20 year olds and some truly youthful 80 year olds.
Wasn't there a survey done somewhere recently that concluded that the happiest folk were the over 60's?
Celebrate and enjoy what you have.

Yes, I also heard that study. What I admire is that people older than myself seem to be more confident, they are full of wisdom and experience and they seem to care less what people think of them.

Get a grip. I was 66 yesterday ... try being nearer 70 than 60, if you think 50 sounds old.

Like you OP, I feel nowhere near that age in my head or body (and am told I don't look that age ), can still get my aged rear into a pair of size 10 skinny jeans, most of my friends are women your age and who treat me as a contemporary, but still the reality of it strikes hard sometimes. Chin up and smile ....

Coming up to 51 and so what if I get a few wrinkles and more grey hair.
You can't hold back time!
I'm letting my hair grown longer because I've found a fun P/T job on a weekend...
Zombie Actor!
Yep, lots of fun putting on make up to look even more hideous!