What surprised you most about getting older?

CareBears · ‎08-30-2015

@house_cat I thought being bullied would end now that I am in my 50's but NO, the verbal abuse continues not just from strangers but by people who claim to love me, now that I am older now I do handle it differently than when I was young, now I walk away and cry in private so they don't see how their actions have moved me to tears!

bonnielu · ‎03-11-2010

Actually in my case it is how nice people are. They have an idea in the back of their heads that I need all kinds of help. So, honestly I PLAY IT. I love the senior discounts and the door opening for me, and the items carried on my behalf, and it goes on and on. Nevermind I dance 6 times a week and can probably outlast even the youngest of them. i am having the time of my life. So bringn it on young people. I earned it.

Christie B · ‎04-26-2010

That it happened So Fast!

fff11 · ‎03-20-2010

The older I get, the more outspoken I become. It's such a liberating feeling knowing that the world won't end -- and oftentimes it will become much better -- if I simply speak up.

Texasmouse · ‎09-27-2010

I haven't read all of the responses but from just skimming over them, I feel as though mine might seem rather trivial or superficial but the first thing that came to mind was how quickly I lost the taughtness in the skin of my upper arms, despite keeping fit!

Texasmouse · ‎09-27-2010

Another thing that took me by surprise was the realization that people were right when they said that women become invisible at a certain point. I've reached that point. Where men used to look at me with interest, now they look past me or (it seems) right through me.

blueyed shopper · ‎12-20-2016

I also see my Mom in the mirror!!

jubilant · ‎06-10-2010

I don't think much, if anything, has surprised me. I have been raised around elderly people all my life so I think I know what to expect. If I have felt any surprise at all, I would have to say, it is the way people view "aging" today.

cotton4me · ‎03-09-2010

@blueyed shopper wrote:
I also see my Mom in the mirror!!

@blueyed shopper

I used to see my mom, now I see my grandmother.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

Interesting question ...

As a child, I recall thinking you're born, grow up, get old and die. Not once did I ever think about "the period of deterioration".

I guess I assumed that I would be happy and healthy right up to the day I would just suddenly die. I guess I wasn't exposed to anyone with a lengthy illness as a child.