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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Over 50s. Have you outgrown/got bored of anything?

653 replies

JumpingDizzy · 27/05/2025 15:47

Mine is spas or spa days. I used to love them. Went to one recently and was so bored.

Dh and I camped (tent) recently and the place was so peaceful and beautiful I realised I enjoyed this much more than spa days or stays. The weather was good admittedly. But even so walking in the beautiful dales was so therapeutic. Also the wild swimming under waterfalls was blissful. Dh and I often camp but have found the best site. Cost less than £60 Inc electric hook up. First time we've used electric.

Dh and I walk lots. Loads of long distance walking. I also walk with friends. So it isn't a new realisation that I love the outdoors. Just a sudden realisation that spa days bore me now.

Have you outgrown anything? Or found a new love of something?

OP posts:
Silentsongs · 27/05/2025 19:18

Mid 50s and agree with many of these (alcohol, parties, small talk, office gossip, large groups, crowds, noisy venues, high heels, late nights etc).

I've got bored of exchanging gifts. I don't mind buying/receiving small impromptu or thank you presents (e.g. taking bunch of flowers/interesting food item round to friend cooking me dinner or vice versa) but I'm tired of the round of birthday or Christmas buying. My list gets smaller every year.

I love a good book, an interesting podcast/radio show, cup of tea, conversation with close friends and a nice meal out. I'm also increasingly fond of UK holidays.

miniaturepixieonacid · 27/05/2025 19:19

I think I was born over 50 judging by this thread. I have always loved theatre, coffee shops, walking, books and 2nd hand everything. Never enjoyed clubbing, pop/rock concerts, shopping or fashion, alcohol or relationships.

kerstina · 27/05/2025 19:20

Never been interested in spa days or eating out. I live in the second biggest city in the Uk and never go into the city centre anymore. I don’t enjoy holidays as much as I used to but have to go to get out of the city.It is the travelling bit I don’t like . I just want to live by the sea all the time.
When my dad died I stopped being creative I guess that is depression?
I have always loved walking and being outside and in my garden but inflammatory arthritis has slowed me down. I have never been a horse rider but had a craving to ride a horse last year. I am 56! I haven’t as I think I would be too stiff to even get on a horse now.
I love clothes, perfume and make up as much as ever if not more so I love browsing on the internet for things. I find it therapeutic.
Always loved self help books but not anymore , I would be better off writing one!

NotOnThsAsosChristmasCardList · 27/05/2025 19:22

MrTiddlesTheCat · 27/05/2025 17:40

I think it might be menopause but yes I've got bored of everything. I pretend to like or enjoy stuff but honestly, I really can't be bothered with any of it any more. My DH thinks I'm depressed, but I'm not, I'd be quite content to sit on the sofa with a coffee and some biscuits and wile away the hours, watching box sets. We're off on holiday soon and everyone is very excited, except me.

I am I dare say a little younger than you at 36 and TOTALLY agree.

It isn't depression it's contentment and knowing what you like and want.

Luluissleeping · 27/05/2025 19:22

Cooking dinner

TrixieMixie · 27/05/2025 19:23

ThatshallotBaby · 27/05/2025 17:48

Im so so so completely over bloody cooking

Love this.

MrsJoanDanvers · 27/05/2025 19:24

WilfredsPies · 27/05/2025 18:12

All the usual pre menopause levels of politeness and tolerance have gone. I don’t want to go anywhere unless I can be dropped at the door and I’m back home before 9pm. I’ve gone from loving days out and having adventures to just wanting to stay home. I used to be a big fan of live music and stand up. I can’t be bothered with either now. And if I do go, I want a comfortable seat somewhere I can see, I don’t have to climb a million steps for and I won’t be deafened by speakers.

I’ve discovered an interest in knowing what birds I’ve seen, which is a new and concerning development from someone who can identify a seagull, a robin and a peacock, and not much else. I’ve bought a couple of dresses to wear this summer, which I’ve never worn before. I suddenly want to visit farm shops, especially if they have a tea room. I’m embracing being a little old lady.

Wow-until I read this I thought I’d gone weird! Now I know there is someone like me! What a good thread.

Staying at people!s houses-I used to love weekends staying with people, now the socialising, having my friendly, interested face on for days just tires me out. I’d love to visit people but stay in a hotel and just see them for a meal or something. But I don’t want to upset them.

Theatre. I just don’t bother-uncomfortable and I feel sleepy. I still love live music though-as long as I can stand.

sodabreadjam · 27/05/2025 19:24

Wearing any kind of formal clothes. I mostly live in jeans, leggings and trainers. Practically never wear a skirt, dress or heels.
Going out in the evening unless it is very local. Prefer meals out to be lunches rather than dinners.
Long holidays - by which I mean more than a week. Much prefer short breaks. I miss my home comforts.
Long flights - anything more than 2 to 3 hours - particularly night flights.
Noisy pubs - can't hear what is being said.
Weddings - too long, too far away, formal clothes, too much noise and drinking. We have been invited to one later in the year which will be a 15 hour shift.
Ornaments - we used to bring stuff back from holidays - wood carvings and bits of pottery. Can't be bothered with them now. The grandkids bring us home little souvenirs now. 😂
I should reveal that I am quite a bit older than 50.

Tiddlywinkly · 27/05/2025 19:26

In my 40s, but definitely nodding along.

I'd like to add, 'coming of age' novels. There are a lot about. They don't appeal at all.

Sgreenpy · 27/05/2025 19:26

Christmas, and all its over consumption/consumerism. Decorating the tree, taking it down etc. This year my husband was working away until quite close and we decided not to bother with a tree. We still had a lovely meal and a few presents- the world didn't end.

rumred · 27/05/2025 19:27

Menopause hit and I had my oestrogen stripped (cancer drugs). My sex drive disappeared along with various interests. It made me realise how hormone fuelled a lot of stuff is/was.

Puffalicious · 27/05/2025 19:27

rumred · 27/05/2025 15:50

Outgrown pubs and clubs.
Fonder of early nights, period dramas and tea.

I'm laughing hard at this! HUGE clubber in my hey day, could see it far enough now, preferring a period drama & copious cups of tea under a cosy blanket/ a book in a hammock if weather is fine. Still a night owl, however!

RaraRachael · 27/05/2025 19:29

I agree about getting dressed up. I lounge about in comfy clothes all day and the thought of getting dressed up for an occasion fills me with dread.
Same goes for wearing makeup.

lifesrichpageant · 27/05/2025 19:32

I love this thread!! 😂

Anon765898 · 27/05/2025 19:32

Men.
Divorced many years ago, never dated or had any kind of sex life since. No interest whatsoever…

EnjoythemoneyJane · 27/05/2025 19:35

Being accommodating. Meaning anything and everything from pandering to other people’s drama and bullshit, to saying yes to arrangements that don’t suit me.

Socialising for the sake of it or just because someone’s been nice enough to invite me. I’ve become more and more protective of my time, even though I have more of it free now than at any other point in my life. If I make social arrangements at all it’s because I really want to do that particular thing or spend time with those particular people.

Shopping, browsing, acquisition in general. Just not interested and don’t see the point in accumulating stuff. I used to love fashion and mooching around clothes shops, but I’ve recently got rid of over two thirds of my wardrobe (a lifetime’s worth of collecting) and have zero desire to replace any of it. Ditto objects. I’ve kept art and sentimental pieces, but cleared a shitload of stuff that has no real meaning to me, it’s just sitting around the house. Highly recommend Swedish Death Cleaning just to clear your mind and your home!

Lovelyone1 · 27/05/2025 19:35

Where did you go camping? Sounds lovely.

VivIsBlonde · 27/05/2025 19:35

Trapsing round shops!
I say to my daughter what are you buying in this shop, her reply…. Just looking 🤦🏻‍♀️ well if you don’t want anything specific then don’t go in!!
🤣

work! Can I retire now, been doing it for 40 years!!

DorrieAndClarabelle · 27/05/2025 19:36

work

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 27/05/2025 19:37

Shopping. I used to love a good potter round the shops, but poor mobility reduced my enjoyment, and then covid came along, and I I went to the shops exactly twice, from the beginning of Covid until mid-2024 - both times to Boots, for my eye test and to pick up my glasses - no actual shopping even then.

Since then my mobility has almost entirely vanished thanks to long covid, and anyway I have no desire to go shopping. Not even John Lewis! 😮

TwistedWonder · 27/05/2025 19:37

Shoes! Since lockdown I’ve not owned a pair - I live and die in Adidas trainers.

likeafishneedsabike · 27/05/2025 19:37

Schweden · 27/05/2025 16:11

Working.
I have, on the face of it, a great career. I am very well paid, WFH full time, in a challenging and interesting role. I am being pushed to go for a promotion. But, I am soooo bored of it. I would quit tomorrow if I could afford it. But have to limp on for another 2-3 years until my mortgage is paid off and last child leaves school.

This really resonates. How old are you? Will you retire once the mortgage is paid?

Loub1987 · 27/05/2025 19:41

Life goals - get to a point that I am fed up of spa days. I’ve been to one in my life and it was a very high point for me 😂

Late 30s, I’m fed up of new music, late nights out and work generally (sadly will need to continue that for several decades!)

Ive been over New Year’s Eve since I was about 21.

AInightingale · 27/05/2025 19:41

I am so over TV and feel as if I'm having agendas and 'messages' thrust at me continually. Switched on the other Saturday night, bearded lady in makeup was one of the contestants on Blanketty Blank ('typical member of the public'), zapped back off again.

GellerYeller · 27/05/2025 19:42

Fusedspur · 27/05/2025 16:29

Men. Not all men, but a significant proportion.

I suddenly see the willy-waving dominance, the misplaced confidence, the expectation of deference, and the unbridled privileges.

I won’t move out of the way for them on the pavement - I call it cock-chicken and this amuses me greatly. Patronising ones get patronised back - I deliberately called the AA man “darling” a few times when he kept addressing DP and not me.

Im keeping DP because he’s a good one, but on the whole, I’m over them. And it would be a shame to waste my years of training him, wouldn’t it love? 🤣

Yes to the patronising, and the pavement men. My teens and their friends have tested it out by the girls not moving out of the way. The boys were shocked how frequent it was. And how confused or grumpy the men were. It’s not unique to my generation as I’d thought.
We were at kids A and E and a nurse brought out some biscuits and (toddler sized) sandwiches to the waiting room. The first ones up were dads, helping themselves. Some of them really do live in a world of their own don’t they.

Things I’ve changed my mind on: boozy nights out, just boring and expensive, plus I can’t cope with the hangover.
Music. I’ve discovered loads of new artists from Spotify, and having teenagers. I love a gig but I need a seat thanks.