To ask when did you realise you are old?

[MyMonsteraisDeliciosa]

My son just changed my phone settings for me so the font is big and I can read everything. I'm just turned 43 and I just felt properly old for the first time. Boo! I'm waiting for new glasses which should help but I've always had perfect vision until the last couple of years. Poor me

What was it that made you realise you are no longer a youngster? Please.help me feel less alone in my sudden dotage!

About 6 months ago when I realised my (very weak prescription) glasses were not cutting it and I bought a cheap pair of reading glasses. They're bloody awesome.

Oh, and when I glimpsed myself dancing 🤣

I'm 47.

I knew as soon as my youngest asked me if I could remember what it was like in the olden days seen I have a bad memory and have grey hairs!

At about 8, I think.

There's been a few times. My hair is going completely grey. I'm shocked at how slow my metabolism is and how hard I have to work to lose weight.

Mostly though I think it's when my ds wants to do nothing but game and stay in and I'm ranting about how at his age I was outside all day, riding my bike and making friends in the neighbourhood. I mean it's true, and he obviously doesn't give a shit as he thinks it was a million years ago.

@CarrieMoonbeams

When DH and I were on holiday, there was a choice of 3 pubs where we could go for lunch - we chose the one with the prettiest hanging baskets.

I leave pubs or restaurants if they're too loud and I can't hear people talk.

When I started wearing M&S big pants! The very ones I used to look at as a teen on the neighbour’s washing line and cringe. Now at 42 I go for comfort over style ...

I’m not old. I’m perfectly happy living in my 43 year old denial.

@loubieloo4 and @gradualdecline, absolutely true with the loud music. You get extra oldie-bonus points too if you also say "that music's so loud I can't hear myself think"!

What a loaded question!

I don't feel old- I am 58.

When the cardiologist said “at your age you can expect to have this to some degree”.

Worst was probably when my mother suggested (in a won’t-that-be-nice? tone) that now I was 50 I could go on Saga holidays.

Cue appalled reaction from me, and an offended DM!

Being told recently by ds that at 45 I am actually middle aged and will probably not make another 45 years!!! I totally dispute being middle aged!

Oh and to add when the doctor stops asking you if you might be pregnant but if you have considered early menopause!

I was in A&E being treated for something. The young doctor seemed surprised I wasn't on any regular medication at all for anything (was 56). I'm sure that's not unusual but his perception seemed to be that by my age I was bound to have something wrong with me.

I had my first baby 6 months ago at age 37. I swear I aged a couple of decades overnight! My bedtime is now 9pm, I can’t touch more than one alcoholic drink without falling asleep, I groan when getting up or down from the floor or sofa, and when we’re out I need to know where the nearest loo is at all times

I’m 51. People who are making general conversation with me sometimes now ask me if I have grandchildren! That always makes me feel down!

The last time I took a 12 hour flight in economy and by the end of it every bone in my body hurt. I felt like I’d been strapped to some kind of torture device. I used to be able to handle it no problem.

Ditto with the travelling I used to be able to manage to drag around numerous suitcases, hold all’s etc. Now even lugging one medium suitcase is a struggle.

Having to get my glasses out to read a menu in a restaurant.

In my head I still feel “young” but my body is betraying me!

The medication question is downright scary! As if it’s a given we are all rattling with pills past a certain age.

In many ways I feel I’m ageing in reverse. I was the most dull square teenager ever invented - my hobbies included crochet and listening to the sort of music that was never cool (though, weirdly, is now). As a young adult, noisy pubs and clubs just annoyed me and I just got on with my work when I was a student, handed things in on time and had early nights. In my 30s I dressed more like 50. Now I really am in my 50s I wear all sorts of things younger me wouldn’t have dared, and I take pride in having my 20+ students admiring my dress sense (non-ironically at that). I wish I’d been young when I was actually young, but at least I’m heading towards being a completely bonkers elderly toddler at this rate 😁

But oh when bus drivers lower the ramp when I get on..... I make a point of leaping onto the bus, then see the driver is at least my bloody age!

@CarrieMoonbeams

When DH and I were on holiday, there was a choice of 3 pubs where we could go for lunch - we chose the one with the prettiest hanging baskets.

Also choosing the ones where you can get somewhere to sit down when you go for a drink, so you don't need to stand up all night.

Nodding along to so many of these, especially everything aching when I get out of bed, or out of a chair when I'm sitting for a while and what was current affairs when I was at school now being taught as history.

When my DD 6 asked if i watched black & white tv when i was a child.

When the optician told me in 7 years i would need verifocals.

Dancing around the lounge with DD (again!) & she said i danced like nanny!

I don't feel old, but evidently I look it as I've been called 'madam' in shops a few times recently.
I am mid 50s and there are definitely signs of ageing, but I don't really mind. I like to think it's come with a touch of wisdom.

I think it was a joke in Modern Family originally about doctors starting to emphasise the word ‘probably’ after a certain age. As in, ‘it’s probably nothing...’

I had this happen recently. (It was nothing, as it happens.)

Otherwise I’ve felt quite age-proof up to now, I think. I have the heart of a healthy 26-year-old, apparently (I’m 42).

For me it was when I was in labour aged 40 with ds.

An emergency c section was announced and the surgeons all briefly and jovially introduced themselves.

Every single one of them was a good ten years younger than me!

Age 40 the optician said ‘you are just like my mum’

Also age 40 getting my flu jab in chemist and was told ‘older people’s arms are usually easy to inject’ and I nodded along then realised he meant me!

When i first noticed that all my old boyfriends who I dated in my teens and twenties looked like old men - bald, paunchy etc. I'm 64 an feel fine in myself (in fact quite young now I'm contemplating retirement) but he state of my contemporaries brought it home to me I'm old too. 3 of them are actually dead, which is a bit of a sobering thought.