topic Does "life Begin at 60" in Staying well

Does "life Begin at 60"

meercat — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 03:21:16 GMT

As the saying goes "life begins at 60"

Since turning 64 recently iv been wondering.. am i different since i hit 60...

Has your life changed since then?

Someone said the other day.."try to get to know yourself.. find out what you want to get out of life?"

Statistically iv got 29 years to find myself.. my dad's 93..

When we hit 60 where do we go..what do we do?

meercat xx

Does "life Begin at 60"

geoff — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 15:31:08 GMT

hi Meercat, absolutely, for me it has greatly changed, enormously but all for the worse, unfortunately, nothing I can do about it. Geoff.

Does "life Begin at 60"

blondguy — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 17:44:05 GMT

Hi Meercat

You have written a good thread topic here for sure...I am 57 and the future seems to somewhat blurry for me even though I am am an optimist

I know you might think this is silly but I just refuse to grow up....seriously. I will keep treating others as I like to be treated....and if I dont I really do deserve a kick in the butt....

My mum is 87 and still works hard in her yard. She also smokes a pack of 40 cigarettes a day and her lung function test is perfect. She drinks full cream milk and uses a 500gram of butter a week in her cooking..omg!

I am close to your thread demographic at 57 Meercat. I drive an XR8 Falcon Ute and and enjoying what I can on a day to day basis

I am not religious but if I may say....'bless your dad' at 93....what a legend!!

I know that Geoff has been in a very bad place for a while now. I will always consider myself fortunate

A very interesting and thoughtful thread topic Meercat. Great to have you as part the Beyond Blue family too!

My Kindest thoughts

Paul

Does "life Begin at 60"

Que_Sera — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 22:38:34 GMT

Hi MeerCat I'm new just joined a few minutes ago, are you unhappy about your age?

Does "life Begin at 60"

meercat — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 02:30:23 GMT

Im sorry to hear that its not been easy for you Geoff..

look at all the people you've helped!

10000 posts!!

And my kitchen cupboards look great...

mercat xx

Does "life Begin at 60"

An_Aging_Youngster — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 03:08:51 GMT

Hi there meercat!

My life began six months ago, at age 64.

What happened? I discovered that I was of value to other people.

Oh, my body is in need of some major servicing: blood clot control, a heart that needs re-plumbing, and a total knee replacement, but those seem almost incidental.

And I empathise with Geoff.

Until next time ...

AAY

Does "life Begin at 60"

meercat — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 03:34:50 GMT

Hi Paul.. yes, blury and scary.

Iv thought a lot about the future and age lately. Yes Im thinking about any age not just 60.

My Hubby and i often talk about our future. .travelling Australia in 12 yrs time. Retiring after 24 yrs in the same job making cement sleepers.

By then Il be almost 77, mum will be 100 eagerly waiting for her birthday greeting from the King. And your mum will be waiting for her birthday card the next year.

Wondering, what am i going to do til then. Im retired. And then i thought this morning.

When im 77 i might not be able to clamber up into an Outback Van..so i can drop that idea. My sight is bad so i wont be able to drive our lovely new Ford Ranger ute. And you will be 69 still be driving ur XR8!

H always says when our future plans go pear shaped.. lets go home to our own little circus and have a cup of tea. Sometimes that's all we can do.....

meercat xx

Does "life Begin at 60"

meercat — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 03:46:26 GMT

Hi Que Sera welcome!

No probs with age. Just thinking about it.

Is ur name from the Doris Day song? One of my favs.

Cheers

meercat xx

Does "life Begin at 60"

blondguy — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 13:29:49 GMT

Hey MC

being of a similar age (just for me) I couldnt retire at 77. I am so tired of 'managing' depression and some left over anxiety I am exhausted....(yes ....the man flu...lol)

You have a new Ford Ranger???.....That is a well built crew cab ute!....I wish!

I get it with the 'ability' to do things later in life....I am physically fit at 57 but there is way too much creaking of the bones/joints now that scares the hell out of me....I love driving...but my reflexes are no where near what they were in my 30's....not to mention driving a BF XR8 around.....

Like yourself I am just thinking about being 60+.....Its a hard call as I have been in management/corporate for many years....and am tired..I think...

Great post MC

Paul x

Does "life Begin at 60"

geoff — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 15:48:16 GMT

hi Meercat, thankyou you're so sweet with your comments. Geoff. x

Does "life Begin at 60"

White_Rose — Sun, 12 Nov 2017 02:29:54 GMT

Hello Meercat

Does life begin at 60? I hope life began 60 years previous to that. Not being a smarty. I think life in the sense you mean is always with us. There will always be not so good days as well as the good stuff. It seems to me that the bad stuff helps us to enjoy the good stuff, how else would we know the difference.

Do we have more freedom at 60 to do those things we have longed for or just discovered. Those things that going to work and raising a family seem to limit. But does it? The joy you experienced watching your family grow from helpless babies to great adults. That is as precious as a trip round the world or Australia. And you will not be able to go back and try again.

Those years have also shaped the way you think and behave and have contributed to your appreciation of life in general. It has become clear what you want to do at the third stage of life. 1, child, 2. young adult, 3. mature age. So saying life begins at 60 invalidates all those events you have experienced during your lifetime. Even hard times have added to your life even if it has only taught you to avoid them in the future.

We don't change into a different person even though we may do things differently. Our appreciation of life deepens so that we can celebrate what and who we are now and in the past.

Mary

Does "life Begin at 60"

meercat — Sun, 12 Nov 2017 11:46:55 GMT

Hello. Luv ur ref to the "Man flu". Can one have it for 64 years and is there a type called the "Woman flu"?.

Sadly, my ford ranger ute is not going to happen until we can stream the super. I can dream!

meercat xx

Does "life Begin at 60"

blondguy — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 07:12:31 GMT

Hey MC

Thanks for drawing a gender parallel where the 'man flu' is concerned 🙂

You will get that Ford Ranger....you have a strong and determined attitude. I dont think you are dreaming at all.

You had a mention on Sara's bouquet thread just fyi..

Great thread MC

Paul

Does "life Begin at 60"

blondguy — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 11:37:20 GMT

Hi Meercat

I am 57 but to answer your question.....'Yes it does'

Have a good weekend 🙂

Paul

Does "life Begin at 60"

Moonstruck — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 00:11:41 GMT

Yeah well I suppose by contributing here I am admitting to be over the big number 6! I can't say my age out loud even...aaargh! I am thankful I don't look it...or feel it, or dress it.....but what I am finding more and more difficult to deal with (apart from the usual body/physical wear and tear and aches and pains that weren't there before) are the Memories!

I think the majority of my life is behind me....and I have so much more to look back on, than say in my 30s, 40s when I had so much still in front of me. I find myself dwelling on the things I did wrong, re child raising, my broken marriage, the kids' pain and suffering because of it, my over reliance on grog, my fragility, my not coping. I berate myself for making wrong decisions. I want desperately to "go back" and "fix it" now that I know more!!

I can't do that. It kills me that I cannot make amends. I am a good person now, but I am over 60. I should have been a better person THEN.....back THEN...when there was so much to do, so many decisions, two kids depending on me.....Now I am a good person, but it doesn't seem to matter anyway whether I am or not. My influence on the world is so much smaller, if I make wrong decisions...it doesn't affect anyone that much anyway.

The days that really mattered...i.e. in the past.....I stuffed up! the memories are SO HARD to work through and so vivid...so clear. I tear up so easily and seem to be dwelling on my mistakes more and more......that's where I am at just now, anyway.....thanks for listening.

Does "life Begin at 60"

White_Rose — Sat, 25 Nov 2017 11:46:10 GMT

Hello Moon

Sorry to read you are not doing well. I believe it is the nature of the beast that we make mistakes in our lives, especially when we were younger, had lots of energy and a desire to change the world. To me the role of an older person is to encourage the next generation to do the best they can. The 'oldies' have a lot to offer. So sad no one sees that until they reach a ripe old age.

You said, I am a good person now, but I am over 60. I should have been a better person THEN. Well whatever your perceived faults were you cannot go back and change them. Consider that if you could go back and change some of your actions, what effect would it have on your present persona and all the people in your life. You don't know and it could have been worse.

Do I spend time regretting my past? Absolutely! We all do and no matter that you think you were the worst person you really know you were not. Apologise to those people still in your life about hurting them in the past. I suspect they will look at you in blank amazement. It is we who are our worst critics.

OK you regret many things and hopefully have learned from your mistakes. I also hope I have learned those things. Instead of looking backwards with regret, look forward with hope and compassion. The hope is for your future activities and the compassion is for yourself so you can forgive yourself. Then you can make amends if you think it necessary by using all your energy to do good instead of squandering much of it on regret. It really is another form of indulgence.

I think you are a courageous person to survive your past. Sure you have a few dints to show and some shame, but instead of adding to that shame acknowledge you have lots of time left and can still play a role in helping others. I'm not keen on revealing my age but as you say I have less time ahead of me and more time in the past. So I want to use this time to do good things and not simply mourn the past.

I presume you have a psych to help you. Why not ask how you can put this 'stuff' behind you and move on to a happier time.

Mary

Does "life Begin at 60"

Tularu — Sat, 25 Nov 2017 23:42:56 GMT

Hi Meercat I can totally relate. It can be confronting that life is flying by and wondering wether we are making the most of life! I have taught myself to embrace each day because when you look at the big picture of life it really is about what you do now at this moment and being happy in that moment. I appreciate my age (59) big 60 next year I have learnt a lot during my life as you would have and I am appreciative of this knowledge. It’s always the positive changes we make for ourselves that create our life Jacqui

Does "life Begin at 60"

Moonstruck — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 00:08:54 GMT

Well, I think as no-one has posted on here since November 26 - it speaks for itself! that No, it doesn't begin, rather it appears to "end" at least according to wider perception.

We've become invisible, or if we try to join in activities and hobbies alongside those with whom we have so much in common (except the date on our birth certificate) we are sort of "ignored" even though our capabilities and experience in the activity are just as worthy, (and indeed can surpass) a lot of the others.

I was pondering why I had been feeling "left out", blaming myself for being paranoid, imagining slights and over thinking events. Recently I was told outright, that it was my age and I was simply considered "too old" to be included. At least I know now...I wasn't being paranoid at all.

needless to add, it hurt me terribly - I don't feel anything near my age and to have it pointed out as a "reason" for non-inclusion has destroyed my confidence, energy, exuberance and anticipation of being a worthwhile contributor.

this somewhat casual "off hand" remark has devastated me.

Does "life Begin at 60"

quirkywords — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 01:06:51 GMT

Moon

As I only a bit over a week away from the big 60 I am not sure whether thank you for warning me or wishing you had not told me you were excluded.

Maybe as my partner is 13 years older than me, and most of my friends are older , I am the young one! So personally I have not be excluded because of age but I can imagine how devastated I would feel if that was the only reason. I am wondering how old the excluders were? were they in their 30s and 40s?

When some one has not posted on a post for a while it becomes hard to find it so it becomes harder to post.

This was timely for you to post here.

Was the group for a sporting group or a social group. I am appalled and how you were treated.

Quirky

Does "life Begin at 60"

CMF — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 02:38:13 GMT

Hi all,

I am not approaching 60 but at times wish i was so this part of my life could be over ie kids at school, dependant on me, playing taxi driver etc. Moon, this hit home for me;

' if I make wrong decisions...it doesn't affect anyone that much anyway.'

Wow, yes,this is the crux of my anxiety at times. How things I do or things that happen to me affect the kids. Everything is based around trying to keep them happy and not stress them out.

Will this change when I am 60? Do I have to wait that long?

cmf