Im only 20 but I already fear the thought of old age. It just looks so depressing to not look the way you used to, and to move and think slower then you used to. And then the body just seems so fragile. Im really not looking forward to that, maybe I feel this way because im seeing it from an outside perspective, but growing old really looks like it sucks.
2007-05-17 11:47:29 · 12 answers · asked by Yahoo 3 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
I wouldn't say natural, but it's probably common, especially in an age segregated society such as ours.
There are a lot of different ways of being old.
Keep in shape (walk a lot, and do things, don't be a fitness nut), and keep your mind active -- there's always more interesting stuff to learn.
These are the things that make people keep their agility and minds when older.
It need not be depressing.
My mother is in her 80s and is active and sassy and happy.
She's always read and kept up with what's going on, and been politically involved.
Take care of yourself now, and you can be healthy and happy until the end.
Keep an eye out for stories of people who are still active and are fulfilled and happy at later ages.
Look at it this way, it's better than the alternative!
2007-05-17 14:36:19 · answer #1 · answered by tehabwa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's all relative. Children and pre-teens look at you in a similar way. They think, gosh, I'm not going to be a kid all my life.
Just enjoy the passage of time. Don't take anything for granted. Always try to be content wherever you are. And take care of yourself - that will help you avoid a lot of what you fear.
One great thing about aging is that you get wiser and you have a lot of tough growing pains behind you. I wouldn't want to be 20 again.
There's a great line in the movie The Magnificent Ambersons - 20 doesn't know about 40, 20 can only know about 40 by becoming 40.
2007-05-17 19:04:55 · answer #2 · answered by EyeGuessSo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am only 24 and have some similar fears. I have alot of health issues as it is now. The way I really look at it is this way, days turn into weeks, weeks into months, and then into years. Before you know it you wake up and you are what you feared years ago. Your body adapts and adjusts as does your mind. You may not always want to accept it but you will not always fear it. Right now at 20 you don't think the way you did when you were 10. It just keeps up the pattern as you get older, your body and mind are constantly changing.
2007-05-17 18:52:57 · answer #3 · answered by angeleyes818 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, there are lots of parts of life. Old age is one of them.
If you are already fearing old age, you may well not make it to that, because you may die of fear. Honestly, you need to further examine your fear, if you ever expect to live older than 50. You have some major hang-up that needs fixing, and NOW is the perfect time to fix it... the younger the better, but it won't be simple, and it may prove to be a wonderful opportunity for you to learn all about what your life is meant to be..... follow me.
I know, because I am retired and over 55, now.
Actually, I feel the same way I did when I was 20, your age. I walk 2 miles a day, I run some, I swim a couple times a week, ski in winter, water ski in summer. Do you do that? I also eat out 2 times a week on my pension, with a friend or two, with a glass of whiskey and a glass of wine with dinner, do you do that? I fly to Europe, or to Central America once a year, and vacation in winter in Florida or California, summer in Maine or Canada for vacation. Do you do that?
There's a lot of things that being old and successful bring you, no, I am not rich, I am a hard working American who has been lucky enough to make it to 60 or so. I didn't get hit by a bus crossing the street, didn't get struck by lightning on a golf course at 28. Some people got those fates, I got to be modestly successful at 60 and able to live 30-50 years MORE in comfort from my previous hard work and good fortune of living in the USA.
If you live in the USA, and you have a problem with fear of elderly people, I suggest you meet a few like me, I suggest you spend 5-10 hours a week playing tennis with some, or golf or whatever. We are just as alive as you are now. Get a grip on your phobia... see a counselor... a good therapist.... getting old is part of life, if you don't like those parts of life, fix your brain, or die now.... because 60 is what happens to 20 in 40 years... you need to work on this...there's nothing wrong with living your life fully, and you shouldn't let this phobia stand in your way of your success..please help yourself...life is too wonderful to waste with such silly fears. Just get to work making 60 look healthy, wealthy and happy, invest in yourself, your health, your relationships, your career, and your skills. You could die tomorrow, run over by a bus, or hit by lightning, don't worry about 50 or 60 or 70, worry about the people who mean the most to you, and about how you can use what your creator gave you to make this world a better place for the brief 100 years you might be lucky enough to be here.
Heck I even have sex and we both enjoy it. So live your life without fear... if you have a problem, don't try to solve it on the internet, try living and daring to get help for this before you waste your life away... get good help, and help yourself, you are your own best friend, get over your fears and move on to real life!!!!!!!!!! Please!
2007-05-17 19:14:12 · answer #4 · answered by John D 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Young people don't usually concern themselves with old age--they think it is sooo far in the future. There are, of course, exceptions--someone with an aging or ill grandparent who they see frequently--even a parent, an aunt or uncle, a neighbor.
Be glad that you are only 20--they are making such progress in keeping people alive and healthy for more years. Your old age will probably be a happy, healthy one.
2007-05-17 19:32:02 · answer #5 · answered by Holiday Magic 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm only 49 but lately I've been feeling really old and I don't look the same as I used to. You have alot of years to go before your old, enjoy them while you can and try not to worry about something you can't do a damn thing about. Yes, growing old really sucks but the alternative, dead, sucks worst.
2007-05-17 19:10:53 · answer #6 · answered by darowdomo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
when I was 9 I started to fear death and dying and I was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder. I use to cry all the time and ask my mom "why do we have to die, I dont want to get old, I want to be young forever". sounds stupid but I worry alot and most people do have a fear of the unknown because no one knows what happens after we die. and I dont want to age because when we age we arent beautiful and seem as wanted. at 24 I feel old and it sucks. I miss being a teenager even though, those were crappy times
2007-05-17 18:54:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. It's probably not coming from you. Remember there's a lot of stuff floating around in air you can't see. If you're close enough to one of these sources you can suspend a lightbulb on a clothesline and it'll light up without socket, wires, or power source. I've seen this done. At just the right frequencies you can get transmitted input you're not even aware of. Word to the wise. Young people are very light hearted even when preternaturally serious. No it isn't natural.
2007-05-17 18:51:23 · answer #8 · answered by vanamont7 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes, it is natural to have that fear. It probably means that you want to be able to jump around and be active, or at least have that choice open to you.
2007-05-17 18:53:39 · answer #9 · answered by scarlet 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd say so... It's a fear that came naturally to me.
2007-05-17 18:49:51 · answer #10 · answered by Mickey Mouse Spears 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋