Are you afraid of getting older? I'm 32 by the way?

Question

Why? why not? Are you afraid of how your image will change, of your job situation...?

Answer 1

My friends and I were a bit unnerved by turning 28, 29, 30, 31, 32. Since the 1960s it has been built up in our culture to be this big deal -- the worship of youth as a marketing tactic, which has become tiresome for everyone except the 16-29 set. And I guess now that the boomers are retiring we will soon be inundated with '60 is the new 20' marketing.

But anyway, I found somehow 34 is a watershed and then you (sort of) stop caring. After all, it's not like you have much choice do you? That said, ask me when I am about to turn 40; I may not enjoy that very much.

There is dignity in it, though, I think people gain wisdom and perception, and become less selfish (we can hope) -- they learn to experience life by letting go of their egos and then life becomes a lot more fun, less insane and more rewarding. I saw an interview with Jane Fonda a few weeks ago talking about this; she said she recently went to Sweden or some place in Scandinavia and was pleased by how beautiful naturally old people looked. She said that in Hollywood everyone has plastic surgery -- they just inhabit tortured doll-like shells, basically. I think we would not age only in Hell, in the Dantean sense. It's what makes us human, and gives us a chance to see things along a spectrum in life.

And no matter how much we change, our essential true character always stays the same. Philip K. Dick wrote a good story about this called 'A World of Talent' - it is about a boy who has physical precognitive abilities and is able to exist simultaneously at different times in his life; the older and younger versions of himself figure out how to meet, talk, and change the course of events. And of course scientists are currently figuring out how to genetically unlock our ageing process, so that we will live to be 200, which means we won't stop being egotistical until we're 160.

In the meantime, there's also a certain school of thought that you can eat foods which significantly prolong your life.

Answer 2

I'm not afraid of physically aging or anything about my job. I'm 30 and the only thing that scares the hell out of me is how fast time flies as you get older. I feel like I need to take control of some situations in my life and make some serious decisions before it's too late. Before I know it I will be 40. I don't want to have any regrets. And I know I've heard it a zillion times ..."You only live once"....that's really starting to sink in!!

Answer 3

I'm 25 and for some reasonI had from early childhood thought I would die aged 24... so I found my last birthday very disturbing. But after a few weeks I adjusted and now look forward to the future. I don't really fear old age as in some ways I have faced a period I assumed would be the end of my life and now I know there is nothing to fear...
Also when I get old enough I will be called "excentric" rather than crazy.

Answer 4

i am 40 and soon to have a birthday

from experience - not a lot to be afraid of at 32

just as you edge out of your 30s is time to weigh up realistically what you have and what else you want to do and get out of life

but being older has far more advantages than disadvantages so dont worry about getting older (can you do something about that btw??) enjoy it as this bit can be the best part of your life where you are more financially and emotionally settled than in your teens and twenties BUT still in good enough health to enjoy life

from experience - it gets better!

Answer 5

I used to be afraid of getting old, but now that I'm almost 35yrs I'm really enjoying it. I know what I like and I'm not easily swayed by others opinions. I currently work for myself, so it fits round my kids. I'm relaxed and most of the time have a stress-free life; I've cut out stress and stressful people from my life.

The only problem is I don't look my age, I look about 10yrs younger and have to constantly prove my age, so perhaps that's why I'm not that bothered about growing old! lol

Answer 6

I am 42 and no I have never been afraid of getting older. It's a normal part of life and there is no way to change that so why worry over it or fear it...

Answer 7

I'm terrified of getting older...
...and I'm only 19!

I think it's because of the increasing responsibilites I face, I've lived away from home for nearly 5 years now, and the ever increasing day-to-day responsibilities only increase, I'm kinda tired and just want to be free, but I can't, there's bills to pay, friends to give counsel to, a home to keep, it seems like there is no end to the things I have to do, and I'm not even married with kids yet!! I just keep hoping that one day it will all get easier, but I'm not holding my breath... lol

Answer 8

Being afraid of absolute certainty is not a good thing. You are distracted from the here and now for no good reason. This could only contribute to failure. This "I" is not a rock, it is sensitive to pain and pleasure. I endure pain to get the pleasure. To perfect judgement in all its dimensions is the graduation for human intellect, efficiency and humanity, accomodating love as the skin and the person within. Idea is the idea for freedom, freedom from and freedom to. As we develop the Idea, we develop this "I" as social consciousness and beauty as we accept what we can not change, and learn what we can.

Answer 9

I am 26 and have nightmares of getting 27.
I am afraid of getting old because there is just so much I would like to change here ! one life wouldn't be enough!
and I am still single ( don't have time for relation because of working on them changes;) ... when, the hell, will I go through passion, romance and love ?

Answer 10

Nah, I'm not afraid of getting older. I sort of asked the exact opposite of this question a few days ago. Here's the link.