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?

I still give a bit too much of a shit what others think (I like to think of this as me being kind rather than a dithering dipshit ) but am hoping that dissipates as I age disgracefully. Would like to think of myself as the Shirley MacLaine character in Steel Magnolias by the time I'm 60.

Age is just a number, I am 54 soon, I am truly thankful for everything I have..... my health, my new chapter, my children & my granddaughter. Everyday is a bonus, yes I work full time and would like to not have to but needs must. If you want to celebrate do so.

My 50th was not a huge event, a day off work with lunch with my partner & daughter, at the time it was perfect for me.

Don't be glum on this day, enjoy it.

I feel early 30s in my mind but will turn 50 this year. Age isn’t just a number and those to trot that line out are the lucky healthy ones who haven’t woken up with backaches and joint pains. I might feel like I can do anything and then my back gives out loading the bloody dishwasher.

I'm fifty next year. I can't have a party as I have no husband or DP and not many friends in RL. I think I will take my children to Disney World

I hated it and found it profoundly depressing.

I know it’s a bit annoying to say this as your feelings are valid, and worth attending to. But equally, I think at some point you need to give yourself a bit of a slap and ask would you prefer the alternative?

Lots of people sadly don’t get the privilege of turning 50.

MH oh I couldn't agree more, you are not annoying at all! I am lucky to be here and be healthy. That said, I can't help but feel inner shock and horror

I can fully understand why some people dread it. Would anyone really choose to go through the menopause, and people understandably don't want to get closer to old age and inevitable health problems that many face.
I'm sure a lot of women will feel that they are losing their looks and youthful appearance and that can be hard to come to terms with. I feel like there is more pressure on women to look youthful than men.

However I guess it's better than the alternative and that at 50 you're more likely to possess the experience, confidence and wisdom that younger folk do not have. You may be better off financially, reach more senior positions at work, taken more seriously, etc.

With age, comes a greater degree of tranquility within and feeling comfortable in your skin. I've learned to like who I am and to look after myself. I feel and look better than I did 20 years ago. I'm months away from the big 50 and I'm going to celebrate with just a few of my dear friends who've been on life's journey (thus far) with me. Time does rush past the older you get so my advice is to savour every minute; be kind as much as you can; forgive others and yourself as much as possible and make every day count without regrets. I'm fortunate to share my life with my 13 year old daughter. Listening to her and seeing her teen aged self doubt and anxieties as she sets sail on the cusp of her life journey, I feel relieved to be free of the emotional turmoil of youth. I wouldn't mind her smooth skin though!

I still give a bit too much of a shit what others think (I like to think of this as me being kind rather than a dithering dipshit ) but am hoping that dissipates as I age disgracefully.

I think it does. I told a much younger boss who was being patronising 'with respect, I'm old enough to be your mother. Please don't talk to me like that again'. She could have kicked off or reported me up the chain but she didn't.

I have always gone away for my milestone birthdays. I tend to remember them more...oh I was in such and such.

No pressure to have a big celebration, though this time I will have a small meal with friends after the trip.

A friend of mine turned 50 a couple of years ago. She made a plan to see / visit 50 friends, acquaintances and family that she felt positive about e - however small before she turned 51. Some were Meeting for a drink/ coffee, spa, walk , or dinner. Or invites to hers or their's - anywhere it worked for them. And just one group holiday. Which ticked about 5 off the list
Anyway she did it and loved every meet up! This way you can spread the cost through the year, plan ahead , challenge yourself to contact people you think about but don't contact, choose what you would like to do and each can be as big or small as you choose . I suffer from anxiety so it would have been something I would have loved to do but didn't have the confidence - Enjoy your 50th

oh please, I am turning 70 this year, just another birthday

The turning point for me was, yes I do have more years behind me than in front, but those years in front I get to enjoy being me. Not an unhappy child, not a confused teenager, not an insecure 20-something. I’ve got to a point in my life (and it’s very recent) that I can be who I am. I’m excited by that, and the things I can do.

(Plus, anti-depressants. The peri-menopause hit me hard with anxiety like I have never known).

Any words of encouragement or positive vibes to send my way?

Since turning 50 i have taken up jogging - Couch to 5k
Joined a (soft contact) martial arts group
Graded in said martial arts
Met great new people
Taken up a couple of other (less physical) hobbies

I think I can honestly say that my life still feels as rich and rewarding as it did 20 years ago, if not more

@FredWinnie

Thank you for that. You've inspired me. I've been thinking about getting started running again. Used to be a passionate runner but a period of ill health resulted in me losing my fitness. I'm going to get back out there. I want to be back doing a 10 km or even 5 km before I turn 50!

Roll on March (my 50th)! This year I'm graduating (2 year taught MA), starting a new career, moving in with my fiancé, planning a wedding, having the summer off to ride my motorbikes & enjoying my independence now my kids are all hitting mid teens. Life is what you make it & you're never too old to make positive changes.

My wife turned 50 last year and it didn't worry her at all. Her attitude was, it's just a bloody number.

Was pricey on the old presents though!!

WendyMoiraAngelaDarling

You're welcome

Definitely do it!

When I started my fitness, I hadn't done anything. It took a while but i can jog for 2 miles now - aiming for the full three

Turned 50 last November...husband booked 4 days away to Portugal to celebrate..had a ball with people we had met on the holiday...

I'll turn 50 next month. I have a planned a short trip with my dd to a place I've always wanted to go to.
I've been thinking a lot about dying lately. It seems that my 50 years of life has gone by very quickly and I wonder how many more years I have left.
I'm a religious person and I'm not afraid of dying but I'm not ready to go yet. I enjoy my life.
I'm also conscious that the older I get the more bereavement I'm likely to experience. My parents and Inlaws are all still alive but for how much longer.
Bit depressing isn't it.

I'm 51 and feeling great. Can't tell the difference really.
I'm overall quite happy not necessarily about ageing but how I've changed over the years.
I'm far more confident and relaxed. Self assured.
I try to value my time more than ever before.