Am I really that old?

United States
September 10, 2007 6:17am CST
When you hear that someone is in their thirties or forties, do you think they are old and withering. Do you imagine their life is over? Or, have you joined the ever growing crowd of thirty/forty somethings who look back at their teen years and wonder how they ever survived. As for me, I'm in the latter group. When I was a teen, (during the 1980's), I could never imagine being my current age right now. To me, Thirty Something was just a stupid show on TV. It was one of those ages where I assumed people had lived out all their useful life and were now regretting all the missed opportunities. I swore I would not become one of those people. But now it's here. In fact, it's more than here. My thirties are nearly half over. How depressing! And, I don't feel old. It feels as if my life has finally begun, not just now ending. So, why is 30's considered old?
5 people like this
20 responses
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
10 Sep 07
A good question: why are 30' considered old? I am now in my early forties, still I think that I am young. There is no reason to think that we are old since we are still so energetic and more mature mentally and physically. I used to think that I was old to step over forty in the hope that time would go slowly. Now I have to admit my age, yet I don't think that I am old. Yes, there is no reason for that however old we are if we have a young mind.
1 person likes this
• United States
10 Sep 07
Very good point! Isn't it amazing to think that we (30's and 40's and up citizens) are the ones running our world now? We are the ones who are participating in society, holding political offices, buying property and paying the bills and taxes. Yet, the people who must surely think us to be very old, are only in their teens. And, they do not participate or contribute in any useful way in society. Except by going to school that is. We are older and yet we contribute more by having jobs and having children and raising a family. Age does have advantages. We are allowed many more freedom than our younger counterparts.
1 person likes this
• China
10 Sep 07
I appreciate your wonderful statement to this. We are the ones to make great contribution to our family, our country and each individual as we are experienced and responsible and professional. Thank you very much for your further response, dear friend.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
13 Sep 07
I think as kids 30 is old, they cannot comprehend what 30 is. They think it sounds so far away. They don't understand how fast life goes. I am in my 30's and don't think I am old either.
@gr8life (6251)
• Malaysia
12 Sep 07
Hello beautyqueen26, I don't like to be reminded that I am already past my prime time. I don't like to be reminded that I am already 30. I don't know why some people think that when you are 30, you are old. I don't want to look forever young and I love how I look right now. For me, when you reach a certain age, every 10 years of your life, there must be something interesting about you that people need to know and see. I don't try to look younger and I don't pretend to be older than my age. But sometimes when my teenage nieces and nephews call me 'auntie', I feel I am old and I just wish that I am as young as them so that I can still enjoy doing what the youngsters love to do *laughs*
• United States
11 Sep 07
I consider those who are 60 and over to be old.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
11 Sep 07
i'm 51...thanx for t he reminder.
• United States
11 Sep 07
well I'm a 40 something myself and last weekend I walked into church, it was grandparents day, and a child immediately handed me a bag of goodies. I turned to my companion and said is it that obvious I'm a Grandma? I was a teen in the 70's and my daughter is almost 30 , sigh where does the time go. I do feel I'm more comfortable in my own skin than I ever was when I was younger.
@Shaun72 (15959)
• Palatka, Florida
10 Sep 07
I wish I knew that myself. i am in my mid 30's also but I try not to think of it as getting older though. I was a teenager also in the 1980's. It seemed like it all came to fast but here it is.
@pandya (334)
• India
10 Sep 07
thirties and forties should not be considered old. a person is said to be old after 60... but these days they consider a person in his 40s is in his midlife... and that is bad too
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
11 Sep 07
I don’t think 30 is old—OMG no- I consider 70’s to be old- I’m 34. : ) My daughter who is 10 today and 11 on Wednesday thinks I’m old- I’m out of fashion- don’t you know- and I can’t dance- lol I’m sure I was the same at her age- I think the older we get the older we think it old!
@carlaabt (3504)
• United States
10 Sep 07
I don't think being in your 30's or 40's makes a person old for the most part. I do think there are some things that a person in their 40's could do that would make them seem kind of old, though. For instance, I think becoming a first time mom in your 40's is kind of pushing it and waiting until you are a bit old. Not that there is anything wrong with it. Sometimes that's just the way it works. I'm just glad I wasn't one of those moms. :) And maybe that's why I can't imagine being 40 something with a new baby, and no older children. My son will be graduating in High School when I'm only 41 and my husband is 39. And we didn't even have him that early.
• India
10 Sep 07
yes i think so.The age 30-40 is the nearbye age to Old Age.
@crazed_moma (1054)
• United States
10 Sep 07
I hope I feel the same when I get there! I've got 2 years to go and every one I know has made such a big deal about the BIG 30 that I'm dreading it. Hubby didn't seem to become decrepit when he hit 30 though so there's hope. ;) Seriously, it doesn't seem as old to me now as it did when I was in my teens. 40 doesn't even seem so old anymore. now 50.....
@violeta_va (4831)
• Australia
10 Sep 07
Well I often joke that my husband is old (he is 32) I am 27. I dont think 30 or 40 is old even 50 but every year I feel that the old is just not old, say my grand mother is 85 and sometimes I think she is old sometime I think she has lots more life in her so how can she be old.
@ajyukie15 (217)
• United States
10 Sep 07
age is just a matter of number, the HEART that matters. as long as you feel your young at heart then thats it!!dont be affected with those age thing just as long as you wear your smile everyday, be good to others and keep your self clean then you will be fine...
@nmw2005 (1197)
• United States
10 Sep 07
Growing up I always thought 30 was old and not exciting, but now that I am there I just see a new chapter in my life. In a few months my husband and I will be welcoming our first child into the world. There is nothing more exciting than that. I used to tell my grandmother thatage is only a number, it all depends on how old you feel.
@hemalover (829)
• Egypt
10 Sep 07
you know something iam 24 years old sometimes i fel older than that but sometimes else i feel like iam just a child want to play and have fun.. i like when i was young and i like childhood period ..
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
10 Sep 07
"To me, Thirty Something was just a stupid show on TV." *falls over in a fit of giggles* omg thats too funny!! but I can so relate! I feel like you...my life only just began in my 30s...hell I never expected to live past 35 with all the dangerous crap I was into and doing to myself! I'll be 37 on the 18th and dont feel like I'm gonna kick it any time soon ;-) Why is 30s considered old? I really dont know...actually I really didnt think it still was considered old but I also dont pay attention to ppl when it comes to that sort of thing..probably because I DO NOT "act my age" which is another pet peeve of mine LOL...
10 Sep 07
I believe age is a state of mind. I am close to 56 years old yet I neither look, act or behave my real age. I am growing old disgracefully and loving it :-)
• Philippines
10 Sep 07
It is considered old for teenagers like you once were and how you perceived it before. I think its just a normal feeling because we all start from one and grow older year after year, so we think that 30 is real old or all the more 40 or 50. It is true that the teen ager has a lot of energy to do lots of stuff. When you reach 30, you become quite limited physically. Anyway, my friends who has reached 40 said that there is really some truth in the saying that life begins at 40. I think you're almost there so I guess you'll find out soon. Tell us if its true when you get there. You'll be getting there ahead of me but I'll be close by. LOL!
• Qatar
10 Sep 07
hi there. Im not considering myself OLD, i am 33 and im proud that i reached this age with pride and honor im more matured now and enjoyed a lot all we have to do is enjoy our life to the fullest so that when the time comes we will not regret that we missed some opportunities and cant look/go back with that anymore