What is old?
By DJ9020
@DJ9020 (1596)
United States
January 21, 2008 5:18am CST
When I was a kid, I thought 50 was old, old, old! Now that I am 50 - why, I don't feel all that much older than I did 10 or even 20 years ago! Is it just our perception of what it means to be old changing, or due to our longer expected lifespan and better health care? My mother-in-law is 84, still owns and runs her own gift shop, and drives all over the place.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@cortney09 (1345)
• United States
21 Jan 08
I guess that all depends. I sometimes feel old and I am in my mid 20s. So, I think that you can really feel old or young at any age.
1 person likes this
@cortney09 (1345)
• United States
21 Jan 08
I feel old both physically and mentally. This has been a more than difficult year for my husband and myself. So, with everything that has gone on in the past year I feel like I have one foot in the grave.
@Neriz69 (1093)
• Philippines
21 Jan 08
I think it depends on what is your current situation right now. If you don't have any problems giving you stress then growing old is not for you. Stress is the number one thing that makes people age rapidly. With stress you can have a lot of illness that can make you old even though your still young.
Good for you that you do not feel old at all.
@Pepromene (53)
• United States
23 Jan 08
I'm 36 and my husband is 41. Our 16 year old son always calls my husband "old man". I don't see us as being old yet, but to a 16 year old I guess we are. Like you, I don't feel any older than 10 or 20 years ago. Sometimes I think about high school and it doesn't seem as long ago as it was.
Your mother-in-law is very fortunate. My uncle recently turned 70 and he doesn't get around nearly as well. On his birthday he told me my son reminds him of himself at that age and in his own mind he still feels he's that age. I think that's a good mentality to have. Once we actually feel we're old, and not just on a bad day, then we'll start to get old.
Advances in medicine and healthcare are contributing to longevity. Older people are not just content to be old anymore. We've learned how to approach aging differently with diet, exercise and a positive outlook. Not to mention we have a little help nowadays with anti-aging skin cream, hair color and a host of other things on our quest for the "fountain of youth". :)
