What do you like best about getting older?

Question

I was in Sociology class tonight and our lecture was on aging. This question came up (I am the only person over 30 besides the teacher) and I said I would ask you guys and come back next week with some answers. My answer was that I can enjoy more things because I am not so worried about what others will think.

Answer 1

I am not so worried either of what others think me or how they think I should act (like my children...saying you laugh to loud, etc). Life goes by just too fast to waste anymore of worrying about what others think of me. I am also more comfortable in my skin, and the wisdom I have gained has been great.

Answer 2

I find due to my age, I don't have to keep up with the seasonal
trends as I did in the recent past. I feel I've reached the stage
of comfort. Dressing for comfort. Not having to watch the
trends as close and wearing shoes in my closet for maybe two or three years. If they still fit, that is. My feet are getting
wider now. I always had small feet and now they are widening.
Well, that's not the only things widening, however LOL. But I
can live with the changes easier and accept who I am. I even
cut my own hair in a chopped top and by golly I've seen a
couple people today with the same style. I almost asked one
if she'd had it done. Or if she'd done hers' herself. But I was
a bit careful since she wasn't exactly a feminist. So I held off.
People look at me in the eyes now, I don't see the 'scan'
as I did when I was young or younger. I feel there's more res-
pect now that I'm older. And I don't have to worry about sex
appeal as much as I used to. When I think of how my
grandmas' dressed at my age, my generation has really come a long way in transition. I remember the corsets and
the high arched shoes with thick heels they wore during the
50s'. One grandma finally stopped wearing house dresses
and actually started wearing pants in the 70's.
Today senior women have definately changed for the
better. They eat better nutritionally, and they take better care
of themselves and are generally more active than their
grandmas' were, as far as real exercise. Why I have friends
who still hike and like to take long walks. And they have a
large sailboat that they take out into the Puget Sound for
two weeks at a time and sail around the coast of British Columbia, Canada. And another couple who travel so often
out of the country, they are gone more than at home. And more power to them. They live in the here and now, for tomorrow they could be stricken with something and it can change the rest of their lives, to where they will be weakened or crippled. So while they can, they are living life to the fullest.

Answer 3

I think all the things I've done that were hard to do, like going to college, learning to write, learning a foreign language, overcoming my fears about speaking in public, and many other things, have given me confidence. Confidence feels good!

I am always still learning, but at this point in life (older than 30, for sure) I have done enough of those things that give confidence that life is more enjoyable. It's one of the benefits of having put in the work to have a rich inner life. Getting older would be nearly unbearable without having developed that. It's easier to let go of youth and its particular benefits with a rich inner life.

I also like that I'm at a point in life where I can give some comfort to the younger people in my life when I see some of the difficulties they are going through. I can truly say that all things are bearable, and all things pass. Bad things pass; so, just hang on. Good things pass; so, don't forget to take some time to live in the moment.

Answer 4

Lots of young girls and women hug and kiss me at church. he he
I once told an older church friend (Clyde was 84 at the time) that I couldn't wait until I was his age, so the gals and women would hug and kiss me, too! Well, one day, one of the teen girls came up to me, hugged me tight and kissed me on the cheek. My older lady friend (82) told me, "Well, you've reached that 'safe' age, now that the girls are kissing on you!"

Also, I'm looking forward to the day I can retire and say, "Oh, by the way, I won't be back to work on Monday." Or take a part time job after retiring, and when the male bovine excrement gets deep, tell them I don't HAVE to put up with it and walk out. I'll have my Navy pension, my SS, and two small pensions from 2 unions I'm vested with. Plus my house will be paid off and all I'll be paying on is my new Yamaha Road Star, V Star 1100 Classic.

Pulled someone's chain, I bet! he he

Answer 5

I do things because I enjoy them, not because I have to. If I want to go to school or take a class or start a project I can. I'm freer in this time of life without the boundaries that I had when I was younger. There is success in trying new things whether I excel at them or not, I'll keep going.

Answer 6

"Do not resent growing old.
Many are denied the privilege."
Unknown.

I can do what I want, when I want to.

I feel I’m wiser and I have had the wisdom and common sense to live life in a manner that I have built many good memories.

I have tried my best to set a good example for my posterity and I’m thankful because they care enough about my judgment that they come or call often asking for my advice.

At the age of 72, I’m never bored with life. I like to be alone at times, put on my choice of music and slip back in the past and relive some of my memories.

I have mixed emotions about getting older.

I retired when I was 61 due to a number of health problems and five years ago my healthy, dear, kind husband of 50 years became my care giver.

I worked with victims and children of domestic violence for the state for 16 years and loved going to work everyday, helping those in need.

If I had a choice, I would prefer working.

My computer is my connection to the world around me.

At our age, my husband and I aren't afraid of the computer and have many different software programs that we like to learn and use.

I have my computer and he has his.

I couldn't live without my computer. I work with photos, write family history, make slide shows for family and weddings, collect poetry, quotes , addicted to NBA basket ball and have my own blog.

I have always lived my age but I feel young at heart and love a sense of humor.

I have had a good day and feel like I’m 17 again, just as long as I’m sitting down.

I wake up every morning and I can honestly say I love life and I would like to stick around until this old world stops long enough to let me off.

I probably told you more than you wanted to know but thanks for the question.

"Be your own best friend and don’t forget to wink at yourself now and then."
Diane von Furstenburg

Answer 7

Tough question. I have finally learned that I can be happy even though I don't have a perfect body. I have become my own person and I do like who I am ..... most of the time. I have learned that my parents really did - and still do - know what they are talking about, and no matter how much I think they are "advising" me, they do it out of love and not just to criticize.

Answer 8

I would say that I don't panic over life changes anymore. I have more patience and I go with the flow more often. I enjoy having more knowledge and wisdom and have learned that everything just works ou.

Answer 9

I'd have to say being a grandparent is the best part of getting older. The sweet little faces of my grandchildren are the most beautiful things in the world to me.

Answer 10

Mine is watching life go by.Life is living.The new ones and the old ones.It all starts the same.Love to meet my new Grands and Great-grands.We all play a part and take turns at everything.Enjoy it and remember to remember the past ones...