When does one get old? Is there a certain age? A cut off date?

I know people commonly retire around 65. Is that when a human gets old?
The closer I get to 65, the less OLD, people of 65 look to me.
Strikingly they look like peers! We all look so young still.
I remember reading about a woman who was discussing end of life care with her doctors. She stunned them when she requested that everything be done to save her, in the case of an emergency. ” I’m too young to die!” she stated emphatically.
She was 92.
Now as I sit here in my mid forties, 92 seems like it might be an age when one is old, but clearly this lady didn’t think so!
Will I think I’m old if I’m lucky enough to reach the age of 92?

I suspect once I hit my 70s, those 90 year olds are gonna start looking younger too π
So what age is old? Who gets to decide what that age is? Is it a thing that can only be measured in the body? Or is it measured in the mind, heart and the soul?

How do you measure age? When do you feel you’ll be old?
Oh, you are young and graceful and full of life, I am sure, and age is just a number. β€
I love the quotes you have shared – great ways to measure age! π
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You are very sweet! Hopefully I stay that way until the end!
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Amen! β€
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I choice ‘Old’ for ‘O’ as well and came up with similar results. When I was in my 40s I thought old sounded like someone in their 70s. Now that I am in my 70s it doesn’t seem that old. Probably true for everyone. I think the body’s awareness of aging is far greater than the brain’s awareness of aging.
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Twinsies! That seems the most accurate to me, the body’s awareness of aging being greater than the brain’s. I should start paying better attention to it then.
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I grew up in the fifties and sixties, when we (hippies) thought that we alone were the new and radical thinkers and that anyone over forty was ancient. A song blasted “…hope I die before I get old!” As I’ve aged, my feelings about all of that have changed. I feel very old when I get up in the morning, but I find I am more capable through the daily activities of work and home than many people half my age (I’m sixty-six). Also, I think I’m about thirty-three mentally and emotionally. That was how old I was when I kind of came into myself, and that state of mind has stayed with me.
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Thank you so much for your thoughts. Your last bit really resonated with me. I guess then, I’m 43 mentally and emotionally π What do you think contributed to being more capable through daily activities than many people half your age?
Ah, the hippies. I wish I was born then. What a time to be alive! β€
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Our dear sister Linda put it this way. In our 60s, we are seniors, but we are not yet elderly. As I am in my mid 60s, I have to agree with her. I still do strenuous hikes, cycle, ski, garden, etc. I imagine there will come a day when I slow down or have to slow down, but I am working to delay that as long as possible. There are still so many things to see and do. Allan
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Absolutely! You and your wife are both in great shape. Keep that stuff up! That makes sense to me, seniors but not elderly. A good way to look at it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Allan. I appreciate it.
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Loved the quotes – great message!β€οΈβ€οΈ
“Age is just a number. It’s totally irrelevant unless, of course, you happen to be a bottle of wine!”
– Joan Collins
PS – 92 seems a little over achieving for me! LOL π
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LMAO! It really does, doesn’t it? Ha ha those overachievers! My husband would say the same thing. He hopes he’s dead by 70.
I love that Joan Collins quote. All the yes!
β€ to you!
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Hahaha.. To add to your what your husband says, my huz always talks about living till the time/age – he can wipe his s***t with his own hands! LOL π π
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HA! Spoken like a true man!
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Life expectancy is about 100 now, so when I hit 95 I might start feeling old. Society implants those ideas in our head about age. We don’t venerate our older citizens like some cultures do. We don’t teach our children to venerate them either.
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You’re so right. And the way we treat our elderly…it scares me!
I guess we’d better start venerating ourselves.
I tell my granddaughter I’m a “witch” and try and fill her head with magic and whimsy. I think I’ll start slipping in some ancestor worship too.
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β€
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mmmmm, what does old feel like? Sore bones, illness for many, declining faculties on many levels, lack of independence – yes, it can and does happen. All I know is that for me it is important to eat healthily (I TRY to but don’t always succeed, I have a sweet tooth); a modicum of exercise (walking works for me); solid friendships (I have a few); loving family; and an ongoing joy and appreciation of all that Mother Nature has to offer … and so far, I’m in reasonable health …
Your quotes are lovely, thank you π
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Thank you for your thoughts! All good things to consider.
π I try too. Darn sugar!
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Why do we not want to be called old? In generations past the old were the providers of sage advice and the source for community authority. Now, unless we are politicians, we are mostly redundant.
I’m 69 and am enjoying life more now than ever before. I am also, of course, extremely wise and a fount of knowledge. (Tongue firmly in cheek.)
A couple of years ago I tripped on a curb and sprawled on the sidewalk. No-one, and I mean NO ONE offered to help me up. Instead, a man paused to say “It sucks getting old, doesn’t it” before he walked on. I think the worship of the young has definitely gone too far.
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Can I swear? That man who said that to you, and then walked away…what a fucker! I almost want to carry a cane around so I can trip people like that. Grrrr. I’m so sorry that happened to you. As if falling wasn’t bad enough.
I agree with you 100%. About everything. YES! This youth worship has gone too far.
I’m gleeful now for when it’s their turn, ha ha ha. Enjoy being treated like nothing, asshats.
I, personally am grateful to be getting older. I am a much better version of me. I didn’t get that way from being youthful, that’s for damn sure.
You know that stereotype of the grouchy old person? I get it now. With the way they’re treated, I’d be grouchy too.
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ha ha. Thank you for the moral support. I really like being retired and almost invisible most of the time. It really has its advantages. Being overlooked when you fall isn’t one of them.
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π
β€
No, I'd imagine not.
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