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?

YABU

I'm 51. I did the coast to coast walk last year and doing another long distance walk this year. I have a good social life go to the gym and have hobbies. I was excited to get to 50.

My sister died at my age so am grateful.

It's a shame you and others feel this way. Maybe you could explore ways to make your life better? Is there anything you have wanted to do but put off?

I am very adventurous and so is dh. Makes life interesting

I'll be 50 at the end of Feb and am in that gloom that PP referred to. Hate the thought of the whole thing and hate that people keep telling me, as if I didn't know. I can't decide what to do, if anything, but am just hoping once it's gone I'll feel better. Hasn't helped by menopause start in to kick in.

This was me on my 50th - 7 years ago! 'tis only a number

Hated turning 50 as was getting close to 52, age I lost my DM, am over that hurdle and am celebrating every year thereafter.

I would say the 50s have been the best years so far. Don't care what anyone thinks anymore. Know what makes me happy. Don't feel I need to say 'yes' to things. Single. It's marvellous!

Yes it's horrible but when I turned 50 two months ago it was just another day and yes it's just a number enjoy your day and enjoy the next 50 years remember no one is guaranteed tomorrow so make each day count

I am planning a big party but at the same time as someone said upthread making friends is
Harder as you get older. Really I should spend the year trying to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. But I don’t have the energy

I was 50 I was going to write last year but then suddenly realised it was 2018 haha how time flies.. celebrated with an unknown destination trip with my best friends, also my first friends only holiday. It is now an annual event it's claiming back our individuality..age is just a number

I loved my 50th. The weekend before, I hired a youth hostel and had two days of activities, food and drinks with my friends. On the weekend of my actual birthday, my whole family camped in tents, motor homes and caravans at a beautiful site by a quiet lake, with a jetty to swim from. I was so happy.

Since then my mum has died, so I really treasure the memory of that weekend.

When I hit 50 I decided to go backwards in age, so instead of being 51, I was 49 and so on.
I'm now nearing 40 again 😂
The way I looked at it is, if as an old lady I'm unfortunate enough to be sat in my own shit in a nursing home, as helpless as a baby then I may as well be a year old again in age.
Plus they say only the good die young 😁

OMG #Forestwitch that is my dream job, and at my age I don’t need makeup. How did you get into it?

There’s a stannah stairlift advert on this page for me

Don’t worry. In fifteen years time, when you’re 65 you’ll still feel 25 so nothing changes.

There’s a wonderful poem (Summer’s Day by Mary Oliver) which ends “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

I turned 50 about 18 months ago, and had a lovely lunch party with family and friends.

6 months later I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. I’m currently cancer free, but the latest stats give me a 70 - 80% chance of getting to 55. But life is good at the moment.

So yes, I’d recommend having a party! I’m afraid (to quote someone wise from another thread) the ““fuck it” fairies“ visit me quite often, so I’m perhaps not living in the most sensible way, but there we are!

Also 50 this year. Fifty and fab is what I am going for.

I've got the big 4 0 in a few months. I'm really dreading it.
I was used to always being the young one. 30 wasn't a problem but 40 is feeling really big for me.
Although now after reading this maybe I should hold off worrying until my 50th.
Whatever you decide op I hope you have a fantastic birthday 🎂🎂🎂

@Sarahlou63 : Go on, admit it.
You're both pis**d and doing "The Funky Chicken" aren't you?
Good for you😁👍

I’ll be quietly ignoring my 50th in ages months, curry, red wine and no party!

since I turned 50celebrated it with friends with tea at the Ritz
visited sisters in Australia & did tour around with dh
did my degree (mid 50's nb I didn't do A levels) & got 2/1
go yearly with friends for long weekend away
have finally started having holidays abroad with dh & done tours to Norway, Classical Spain,& Italy
Become Grandma!
joined u3a & started sketching & art & made new friends
next adventure awaits!
(dh has overcome some serious health issues but believes as I do life is for living)

I’m turning 50 soon and frankly I’m fine with it. I hate being 40 and looking bloody 50. Especially since nost of my friends look 10 years younger.

40 was hard. Not “ young” should have been sorted life wise. I feel at 50 the presssures off and no one gives a shit.

I turn 50 in 2 weeks time but not likely to be doing anything huge since I had my throat cut open this week to remove a mass from my neck and chest which was literally choking me to death. Awaiting news as to malignancy so that’s fun. So I’m quite glad to be alive at this point. I’m trying not to dwell on it too much but as pp have said, mentally I’m sure I’m only 18 and there’ll be no beige cardis here either thanks...Irregular Choice shoes and ripped jeans for me.
Aside from that I’m pretty determined that this year will be the one we give up suburban life and move to a farm

I would say count your lucky stars you reached 50. Enjoy life, it goes by fast and be thankful for every additional year you get. I know getting old sucks and it’s nice to be young. But I had a friend die at just turning 34 from Cancer and another friend die at 45 from cancer as well! So although, I too don’t like getting older. I’m thankful for every year I get to be older.

I'm 55 - and have had more fun and sex since divorcing in my early 50s than I had in my 30s and 40s! Have met a wonderful man and feel like my life's just begun (hideous marriage, disabled DC). Embrace it OP because it's going to happen anyway so you might as well enjoy it!

Wow what amazing replies - sorry I ran off, I had to go out then completely forgot I even posted this!

Your replies have REALLY helped, both in that it's normal to feel slightly shocked, anxious, down and even weirdly slightly embarrassed about turning 50 and in positive memories of 50th years.

I was actually out looking at a couple of venues yesterday (as well as yoga and gym, on a mission to look as good as possible by my birthday. Shallow yes but I don't care!) for a party. My thoughts re party or either everyone or no-one, I find it too stressful to choose just 20 or 30 close friends and family (big family) so would be easier having it for 80-100!

To those saying I should be grateful for turning 50 I wholeheartedly agree. A close relative died at 39 and I think about her pretty much every day even though it was 30 years ago.

Although my health seems to be ok - I am lucky I know that - we have had a bad few years with our kids. One with severe depression, one diagnosed with a serious disorder. But things seem better right now and that's something to celebrate alongside my ancient age.

Oh and the other thing about a party is I get lots of presents!

I’m 50 in a few months.
I couldn’t celebrate my 40th in a big way as I was hugely pregnant.
I’ve had a lot of life changes in the second half of my 40s and have great friends who are in their early 50s so I am looking forward to it.

I think with each decade, you get close to being your authentic self and give less of a shit what other people think. It’s great!