The absolute sheer joy of ageing

[KatParr]

And not giving as much as a shit anymore. Specifically about:
How I look to others (especially men)
Not caring as much about what other people think of me
Pleasing myself more in what I do and who I see

Yes, there are other difficulties but every so often, I look back at younger me (I'm 48 now) and feel a great relief at who I am now and who I'll become as I get older still. I know not everyone gets this but it's a slow epiphany.

Hate it, mid 60s and can’t think of one benefit of ageing, we all feel differently but that’s my experience

I could have written this myself. I actually feel a slight sense of joy every time I get in my own bed, partner free, in my ugly but comfy Victorian cotton nightie. Last night I had insomnia so today I took myself for a mamma nap with a glass of rosé and some peanuts. Slept a couple of hours then got up and took the dogs out for the last bit of sun. No makeup bar my must have lip tint. Have snacked all day, not cooked a thing. I'm so damned happy, just being healthy and free.

I like being able to walk past workmen and not get leered at and whistled at etc.

Menopause can be a nuisance for many of us, and so can the aches and pains of ageing. Despite that, I’ve been happier since I turned 60 than ever before.

Life was more exciting when I was young, but also more turbulent and often lonely. I have many wonderful memories, but even during my happiest times I was always striving for something, or had the next project in mind, or was making plans for the future. Never really grounded or living in the moment. And I felt responsible for everything and blamed myself for not putting everything right.

I am so much more relaxed now. Luckily very happily married, also with solid friendships that have lasted for decades. Not in brilliant health, but still on my feet and making the most of life.

Maybe what helps is recognising that (a) I can’t do everything and I don’t have to, (b) time is limited and there’s no point wasting time fretting, and (c) simple pleasures are the best and are readily available— strolling with DH or a friend, curling up with a good book, having a cup of tea in the garden.

I’d like to tell my younger self to stop worrying and enjoy life. Dance more while your joints are still good for it!

I also think it's great! I LOVE being able to put outfits together and wear what I want
I'm post menopausal and having a ball. This post was sponsored by the amazing blue suede shoes I was wearing. Tomorrow I'm wearing a green suede jacket, linen nude midi skirt some patent shoes and ankle socks with a trim! Having a ball!

AreolaGrande

huge hugs, was/ am the same but have started listening to music I like, making myself pretty myself up a bit, read more, less screens, started swimming etc. I randomly treat myself to a bun or ice cream in a cafe. Ring friends and family more. Trying to get old me back

I’m 70 and I too couldn’t give a toss about what others think about me! Worrying about how I look for years has got me nowhere, so pointless really.
Life’s too short so start pleasing yourself more, the world won’t come to an end I promise 😊

I'm late to this thread, but here is my tuppence worth:

Strength/resistance training totally rocks.
It's Caroline Girvan you want.

70 years old and superfit - fitter than many women half my age.

Oh.... and do a plank every day - check out the Bowflex 3-Minute Plank.

Well I'm mid sixties and am retired - that's a huge benefit to me 😂(not in the UK, we get superannuation at 65 here).

I am mid-60s and very much enjoy being this older, more peaceful version of me - it feels like the calm after the storm. I feel instinctively that it is not only about age itself but also that the deaths of my parents, with whom I had a troubled relationship, have been liberating for me. I feel free at last

I sailed through without doing anything different really. Sometimes it's just luck.

I absolutely LOVE being 'old' (in my 60s). I am the me now I was always meant to be.

Yep, 50 this year, did menopause in my early 40s so got it out of the way.

I feel fine about who I am and what I have done. In my 30s I stressed about what I hadn't yet achieved. Now I just say, well, I didn't do this, this and this, but I won't be doing it now, so it isn't worth worrying about. But I DID do this, this and this, there's plenty of time to do that, but it doesn't matter if I don't.
I think I am kinder to myself. I don't give myself such a hard time about not being massively clever or pretty or popular. I appreciate what I have more.
That sad, I am lucky I have good health, and 50 really isn't that old. I might feel different in 30 years, and just saying that, it's odd to be at the age when you start tagging on 'if I am still here' when talking of 30 years hence.

Well I sailed through menopause but definitely changed shape after having a radical hysterectomy. ( 4 years after last period)

God yes, absolutely. I honestly think I'm enjoying my fifties more than any other decade since, maybe, my teens? I began my fifties recovering from breast cancer, so every day since has felt like a lovely gift.

I love those slow weekend days just pottering at home. Love a new jigsaw. Love going out for a lazy lunch with DH. And I absolutely love going to bed early with my book and a cup of tea.

I would agree :) that there are some good things about getting older!

I had a hysterectomy at 45 after a life time of heavy period (endometriosis and adenomyosis) and awful, chronic pain.

I am now on HRT and not having periods anymore is absolute bliss and gave me my life back.

I am 53 now and I am more comfortable with myself/my appearance and finally feeling I am being myself and no longer afraid of speaking out/establishing healthy boundaries.

I am making sure I eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly to try to keep as healthy as I can. That really is my priority.

I wasted so many years worrying about men, other people or what I looked like. To me it feels like liberation!

See I'm in my 50s and have a totally different lifestyle. Spent 2 or 3 months each year backpacking round Asia. Work ( at least a few hours 7 days a week) have a decent social life where I'm out with friends or occasionally ( cos bored me if do to often) a meal with OH. Id be bored senseless " pottering" and in bed early with cup of tea

56yrs and loving life, best times ever, not bothered about weight, happy with my natural grey hair, dont feel need to spend time and money on make up, lips, tattoos, hair extensions, eyelash extensions, fillers for this that and the other. Life is better then ever.

That's absolutely fine. I would honestly rather eat pins than backpack around Asia. My idea of going rustic is being able to see trees from the window of my 5* hotel.

I was a true party girl for so very many years, and it was fantastic, but that was then. I love the calmness of my life nowadays.

Hitting 50 very soon. I'm nearly divorced, I have 3 fantastic teen aged kids, I'm moving to the other end of the end of the country next year, mid way through menopause, couldn't be happier. I'm excited about the next phase of life. I may ache a bit but I am grateful to have made it this far, three of my friends weren't so lucky.

Loving this thread and lots of good vibes but being in your 40s does not mean being invisible, I sometimes wish it did (in terms of pervy men) but the confidence I've gained means I get more sleazed on and approached more than I ever did in my younger years.

Whereas I spent all my 20s and 30s restricted by kids so now it's my free time

What’s that line..”What will you do with this, your one wild precious life”?!..I think about that all the time .Hopefully Im about to embark on a new chapter , taking early retirement at 55. Ive been through the stuff but now Im mortgage and period free Im hoping I get a good few years of doing what I want to do. Yes Im fatter, wrinklier etc but Im loved and I love, have a roof over my head and I live in a free safe country with clean water. LIFE IS GOOD.

Love this thread. I'm almost 57, couldn't care less what people think of me.. apart from the ones I care about.

Ah I get you. DH and I met at university and enjoyed 12 years of complete hedonism before we had our children.