Feeling ancient

[ramblingrosy]

Today's my 61st birthday. I know I'm fortunate to have lived this long, to be slim and healthy and not too wrinkly but... I'm sad. I don't like it, this getting seriously older. To be called a 'senior' or 'elderly' infuriates me and I feel as though I would smack someone across the head if they dared to lump me in such a category.

AIBU?

Better than the alternative. FWIW I don’t think many people would count 61 as elderly, but you are getting older so it may be worth thinking about what about that bothers you.

I guess because I'm lonely and afraid that I'll be alone for the rest of my life.
The place where I live doesn't feel like home; the good close friends I have live on the other side of the planet. Later today, I'll be having lunch with my mum, who's 85 and my DD, who's 23. I love them both dearly and am happy to celebrate my birthday with them. And yet, I wish I had a partner or a good friend to hang out with in the evening. Sigh.

I’m sorry to hear that. I hope you have a happy birthday and that the year brings you lots of good things.

I am 62 and feel glad and privileged to just still be here. My dear friend died of cancer in her early 50s and a former work colleague at barely 40. I have a DH but no children, not originally by choice. And no I don’t feel old!

I am this age next month and it definitely feels as though I am entering another category although I still work full time. I think you need to make this the year to take up some hobbies where you can meet people more. The women's institute can be great for making female friends and having social events.

Don't lose hope OP, my mum met and married the love of her life in her 60s.

Oh, and happy birthday 🎂

Happy Birthday OP

i agree with pp 61 isn’t old. I bet you look a million times better than people decades younger!

what about booking a holiday away somewhere warm and interesting? Might even meet someone😉

I don't know what sort of place you live in, but are there community activities you could get involved in? My mum was widowed in her sixties and she's made lots of new friends through volunteering etc.

Happy Birthday. I do get you; finding it shocking occasionally to look at myself with glasses on, without the soft blur (this is why we lose vision in later life I expect)! I went through a bit of a crisis some time back when my mum died of Alzheimer's and I totally lost control of myself... started drinking too much etc thinking what was the point. Back on track now, and happier than I've been for a long time. For what it's worth, it helped me to realise that 60 plus isn't so old. Not nowadays anyway! If you're fit and healthy it won't stop you doing anything. Try travel, even a short way, to refresh yourself. Read some of the threads about partners on here and be glad you don't have someone who is draining you. Hang out with older, vibrant people. I know some kick-ass 70 year olds that make me positively look forward to aging!

Happy birthday to a fellow scorpio 🎂

I am also in my 60s and have a birthday this week. I have joined a book group and a fund raising charity and have met lots of nice people through these two activities.

I’m 61, have oesoparisis, Parkinson’s too ( diagnosed last ye ar), it is what it is
i have friends, family and fab cat

OP im getting on a bit lol but i live my life now..after having DD she has own family, ive done a good job. I got out of a bad relationship,tg. I go to meetups (look up local meetup groups on 'meetup') , it really doesnt matter if you dont have a partner once you fill your time, ive no time atm to invest in a partner im busy. Its me time now and im grabbing it with both hands. You may meet someone at meetup group, anywhere. Just do you amd someone might come along

Btw i have 3 men interested in me but im not ready to go into that again. I like single atm. There are men out there, you just have to socialize effectively

Happy birthday op. I hear you. Feeling like something important is missing is horrible. I know the feeling too well. I hope your birthday is as good as possible and you meet some new people soon

Happy Birthday from a fellow 61 year old I know that feeling - despite all the things about age being a gift that not everyone gets. It's hard to be grateful sometimes when everything aches, you're permanently tired and younger people point out your age constantly. I work full time and need to limp on till state pension time - which feels impossible some days. I'm trying to exercise and eat well just to keep functioning ( I remember when I did this for vanity) But on the plus side I've got a job I enjoy that pays enough to cover my needs, stable housing and no debts - things I didn't have when I was younger.

I'm on the countdown to my 60th. I'm fit and healthy and looking forward to 'retirement ' when we're hoping to travel more (this country as well as interrailing abroad).
I do not in any way consider myself elderly. In fact only the other day someone asked on a local Facebook page about activities for her recently widowed 65 year old mother and I was aghast at some of the suggestions (presumably from millennial who think 65 is ancient!)

I turned 60 this year and definitely don't feel old or didn't until I was on holiday in France this year. We got a train and I was eligible for the senior rail fare

61 isn’t elderly. We have 75 year old mil and she’s fit, glam and always on holiday! Signed up to a dating site at age 70, met her partner and they enjoy themselves. Her partner is the same age, still works full time, he’s beat cancer, his diet is questionable lord of meat and wine but enjoying his life to the full.

*lots