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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask when did you realise you are old?

309 replies

MyMonsteraisDeliciosa · 06/01/2021 23:57

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 Grin

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

OP posts:
Original poster
MyMonsteraisDeliciosa · 07/01/2021 10:47

I'm relating to so many of these!
I always looked really really young which didn't help matters, I was honestly getting constantly asked for ID in shops and people used to assume I was in my early/mid twenties. Then I turned 40 and started a stressful NHS degree and I swear I've aged about 20 years physically in the last 3. I definitely don't get asked for ID anymore and everything has just gone puffy and saggy and weird Grin
I think the sudden and dramatic nature of the aging process has made it worse and my eyes betraying me is the final straw Grin

OP posts:
CounsellorTroi · 07/01/2021 10:48

@Quaagars

When a new teacher at DS's school started, and she looked about 12. (No joke) Was a common theme throughout late primary as lots of teachers looked to barely be out of school themselves and I'm like WTF Grin Teachers are supposed to be grey, and in their sixties or something lol (yes, yes I know this totally shows my age Grin
Definitely this, when you see senior policemen/military etc on the news and think they look too young to be so senior.
WiseOwlRelaxing · 07/01/2021 10:52

@Pipandmum

When the tesco delivery guy asked if I had grandkids (really ouch as my kids were 9 and 11 at the time). But hey also reflects the area where most people are grandparents at 40.
I know, I'd be insulted if somebody asked me that! I'm 50, but I'm delusional to be insulted by that. My cousin aged 51 is a granddad!
IncludeWomenInTheSequel · 07/01/2021 10:55

I'm 42 and I've just started to notice my daughter getting quietly embarrassed when I, say, pronounce something wrong, for example.

Exactly how I felt about my mum when I was her age.

Dawnlassie · 07/01/2021 10:56

When I have to mentally prepare for standing up after lying down on the sofa or floor.

WiseOwlRelaxing · 07/01/2021 10:57

@ExConstance

I'm so old I could be mother to all my office based staff - and some of them are menopausal ! It really hits me when one or other of them will talk about problems their mother has, such as bad knees and said mother is 5 years younger than me.
My last boss was 29 and she did this. Her Dad was only a bit older than me but he seemed to have every minor ailment under the sun which I found surprising given his age was only about 51. I think it was to cover up for her lack of any friendship network outside of her family so she was casting herself in a caring role, for two fifty year olds! It made me wonder what her parents would think of the way she was portraying them! What did you do at the weekend was obviously a very awkward question for her.
HappydaysArehere · 07/01/2021 10:58

When I became invisible.

When I see photos of people I haven’t seen in years and are the same age or even younger and they are old.
When I remember the 9inch black and white and only tv we had while I look at the 45inch smart one now.
When I remember only one tv channel while we survey the choice on Netflix, Amazon etc etc.
When I remember having to go to a telephone box to make a call.
Etc etc etc

CounsellorTroi · 07/01/2021 11:03

When I remember taking my films to be developed and the excitement of actually waiting to see my holiday photos

KarlKennedysDurianFruit · 07/01/2021 11:09

When I fell asleep in a nightclub (sober), because I was bored and tired. I was about 30 😁

KarlKennedysDurianFruit · 07/01/2021 11:12

@WiseOwlRelaxing that would mean two generations having children at 25/26 not that uncommon. I used to work with a service user who was a grandfather twice at 32!!

EnergyCreatesReality · 07/01/2021 11:13

Discussion at work about what was no.1 in the charts the day you were born and realising I still think the song on the day my colleague was born only came out a few years ago (Robbie's Rock DJ) whereas it was actually 20 years ago!!

JoeCalFuckingZaghe · 07/01/2021 11:17

Just a few days ago. I was listening to my “pop punk” playlist (it’s not a phase mom!!) and Girl All the Bad Guys Want came on. I was dancing around singing... and I caught my reflection in the mirror. I thought, Christ I used to be that girl, now I’m a fat, pasty, old lady Grin

OHolyTights · 07/01/2021 11:23

Struggling to thread a needle.
School children in responsible jobs and professions on TV and in real life.
Not being able to take a cup of tea to bed because I will then wake up needing the loo and probably not get back to sleep.
DC scrolling through what's on TV or online sites and it's too fast for me.
Many more examples but I have in all likelihood forgotten them.

FrankButchersDickieBow · 07/01/2021 11:23

When I pressed the info button to see who was on the Christmas Top of the Pops, and I hadn't heard of anyone who was on there

OHolyTights · 07/01/2021 11:31

When someone gives me attitude or shows a lack of due respect and I think 'I've got tights older than you.'

Chottie · 07/01/2021 11:36

We were at the wedding of one of DH's work colleagues. One of the groom's friends asked me what it was like working in an office in the 1970s.

BigSandyBalls2015 · 07/01/2021 11:38

DH's cousins are about 20 years younger than us but I've always thought we've got on very well, similar outlook, I didn't really think that they viewed as 'much older' ..... until I opened a bottle bag one Christmas to find a bottle of sherry GrinShock

hels71 · 07/01/2021 11:46

When i realised that children I taught (primary) were grown up and had real jobs.
Then it got even worse when I found I was teaching children of children I had taught.

HazelBite · 07/01/2021 11:47

When my oldest nephew turned 40, I was a "grown up" when he was born and remember telling my work colleagues how pleased I was to be an Aunty.
I realised the other day he will turn 50 in 2022!

I am so old I have just given up trying!

Bralessandfree · 07/01/2021 11:48

Today. Out for a wintery walk and said to my husband...if I slip over I will definitely break a bone.

FitterHappierMoreProductive · 07/01/2021 11:48

I haven’t yet! I am still very very young! (37)

BikeRunSki · 07/01/2021 11:50

Varifocals, broken tooth, grey hair all in the same week about 3 years ago. Mid 40s.

Cornetttttto · 07/01/2021 11:50

Me and my husband have no idea what 'twitch' is. I feel old when I look at teenagers and think they look so tacky, plastered in makeup and gorging on awful, cheap clothing. So much for a new generation giving a toss.

Janaih · 07/01/2021 11:52

Over the Christmas period I was feeling a bit chilly so I put a scarf on in the house. Then spent all day marvelling at what a good idea it was.

BikeRunSki · 07/01/2021 11:52

@hels71

When i realised that children I taught (primary) were grown up and had real jobs. Then it got even worse when I found I was teaching children of children I had taught.
My brother has taught in the same school for 30 years, from teaching practice to HOY. He is teaching the grandchildren of the people he taught as a PGCE student!
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