To consider myself nearly middle aged at 26

[User6777000]

Would say from 30 onwards

Because I had children in my early 20s I have felt older than my friends of the same age or how I guess they feel. So I do understand a bit. I, at 31 certainly don't feel 'young' .. I feel exhausted. I feel guilty for not living life as though i'm 'young' but it's not possible with kids (for me!)
So yes I feel a bit middle age but I am pretty sure it's a state of mind, given the daily tasks of child rearing, it's not exactly footloose and fancy free or whatever the saying is. Maybe my life if a bit 'middle' not young and excited with tons of potential, for sure.

Blimey. Whilst I realize I am unlikely to live to 116, I only just feel middle aged ish now and don't really act it I suspect a lot of the time.

Are you planning on dying at 52?

Pah hah 😂

Well unless there is some massive drip feed incoming, you ain't seen or felt nothing yet, love .

It was declared on Radio 4 a few years back that middle age begins at 42, so that must be right!
FWIW I'm 37. Do I feel creaky some days? Yes. Do I often feel battle-worn? Yep. Do my DCs think I'm ancient, and do I feel ancient when I look at teenagers/young adults? Twice yes. Am I middle aged? Nope! (Clearly my creaking, battle-worn, ancient self is only just beginning to scratch the surface of the aging process... fun times ahead!)

You did not even give us the chance to vote if you were being unreasonable!!! You definitely are by the way. I think most of us are going to live until we are 90. So yes, I would say that 26 is NOT middle age.

Early 40s is about middle-aged. Average life expectancy is early 80's, so makes sense that half that age is middle-aged.
Do you come from a country where life expectancy is much lower?

@Unreasonabubble most of us won't live till our nineties, although a sizeable number will.

You're obviously not middle aged.

That being said I'm 27, a mum, have health problems and everything aches like fuck. All of my joints click and crunch when I move. My back hurts. This is what I imagine a much, much much older person to feel like.

So my verdict is that you can feel middle aged or old in your 20's, but It doesn't mean that you are.

Are you bored OP as Insta is down?

I'm 42 so if your middle aged does that make me elderly

Clearly 26 isn't middle aged.

I'd consider Middle Aged to be from about mid-50s. I don't think it needs to be taken literally, that middle aged is half your life.

There's no way someone in their early 40s should be described as middle aged!

@julieca - Okay. Fair enough. But do you consider you will be dead in your 50's? Life expectancy for a woman is increasing year after year. I hope I am around in my 90's . Not sure the children will be so grateful! Ha ha.

I am fortunate there is longevity in my family. Most, so far, have lived beyond 100 years.

What does the term "middle-aged" really mean now anyway? I'm 44 so probably at least half way through my life so I'm middle aged in that sense. When I was younger the term middle-aged was associated with wearing elasticated-waist slacks and going to the garden centre every weekend so I don't feel middle aged in that respect!

Sad. Very sad.

Crikey. My DD is nearly 26. I think she would tell you in very robust terms to get over yourself. I can just about remember being 26 and I can assure you I had no doubt I was still young.
Now I am 59 I think I have to admit to having been middle aged for a while. Still a very long way from old

@Unreasonabubble I have lost two friends in their fifties, I have learned not to take anything for granted. Hope you live as long as your relatives.

Ha ha, really?

Try harder ...

You can label yourself however you want, it makes no difference to other people's material reality whatsoever.

No, I’d say you’ve passed middle age and are now well in to late adulthood.

@julieca - Blimey! Why so much hostility? I think we are trying to persuade the OP that their life is not middle aged at 26.

Maybe if you have mentioned your friends previously my response may have been sympathetic to you and your lost friends.. Give me a break, please...

Those in their 40s who think they're yet to become middle-aged are probably as delusional as the OP.🤣