1. What does it mean when someone says "I don't feel old?"
That they have some notion of what "old" is supposed to feel like, and they don't feel like that.
2. How have your ideas about aging changed over time?
I'm with you.. what ideas about aging? I don't have too many ideas about it even now.
3. How old are you and how old do you feel?
I'm 66, like the highway, for a few more months. I feel older than 25 and younger than 85. Definitely aware of physical limitations -- like when I feel like I'm walking briskly along, younger people pass me by effortlessly.
4. Are you comfortable telling people your age?
Depends on who the "people" are. Sometimes, honestly, I get annoyed when people my age assume I'm younger -- as in, "well, you're too young to remember -- fill in the blank" or something similar, and then I want to tell them. And sometimes I'm pleased when people are surprised by how old I am because they feel I act younger. Very unfair of me, I know.
5. Do you look older or younger than your peers?
I think I look a bit younger, unless I'm closely examining the age spots on my hands.
1. What does it mean when someone says I don’t feel old? When I say it, I mean it doesn’t feel the way it looked like it would. Middle aged people always seemed fully cooked and I still feel like I’m adding ingredients.
2. How have your ideas about aging changed overtime? I’ve always wanted to be older than I was, have things figured out, be surrounded by people who have depth, relax because now I’m coasting. The reality is, the older I get, the faster time moves, I still don’t feel like I belong with other people, and I start to feel closer to the end when I’m ready for. I still haven’t figured out what “enough” is, but I feel more clear and whole and purposeful and capable than ever before.
3. How old are you and how old do you feel? I am 49 years old. And I have no idea how old I feel.
4. Are you comfortable telling people your age? Yes I think it’s interesting and I’m kind of proud of it.
5. Do you look older or younger than your peers? Probably about the same.
1. What does it mean when someone says "I don't feel old?"
It means "I'm not as old as you think I am." Or, "There must be some mistake, because I'm only 42 but I was born 66 years ago."
2. How have your ideas about aging changed over time?
"Old" was always 10 years older than me. Then my father died at 79. If I live longer than he did, I will then be old, despite the 10-years-older-than-me rule.
3. How old are you and how old do you feel?
I'm 66. I guess this is what 66 feels like.
4. Are you comfortable telling people your age?
Yes, but sometimes they don't feel comfortable hearing it. Not sure why.
5. Do you look older or younger than your peers?
Probably older. I began chemo at age 51 and finished it, a year later, at age 60. At least, that's how I felt and looked.
1. It means they've been lucky enough to not have encountered any of the myriad of physical reminders of aging yet. I am one of those, But I do feel old in another way. I am. ever more aware of time, and its limits.
2.I like so many of us am staggered to think I am 78. I thought I would be a doddering grandpa and here I am, the same person. Maybe more tolerant, a bit more experienced with life, and even at my best moments a bit wise.
3. 78. I feel about 48
4. I am definitely not comfortable telling anyone under 60 my age. How can I ever outgrow that? I wonder what my clients think.
5. Somewhat younger but I think all of us look in the mirror and see someone younger than the world does.
1. What does it mean when someone says "I don't feel old?"
My father always said into his 80's: "You're as old as you feel!" Sometimes I felt old when I was 8 or 9 or 10. I think we associate "oldness" with "weariness" and feeling worn out.
2. How have your ideas about aging changed over time?
I respect the passing of time more and have more patience for my elders and for folks who have put a lot of wear and tear on their minds and bodies, no matter what their biological age is.
3. How old are you and how old do you feel?
I am well into my 50's and very much enjoying it. I think more about what the world has been through since my birth year than I used to, and I feel I understand more about cycles of society.
4. Are you comfortable telling people your age?
Sure.
5. Do you look older or younger than your peers?
I have no idea, mainly because I don't look at myself in that way. I think people manifest physical ageing in a myriad of ways that has much to do with there genetic make-up and sun exposure, etc.
Oldness= weariness. I think about that a lot. And like you I suspect, i've felt that wearying weltschmerz (world pain) since I was in my single digits. i guess from that perspective I've been old a long time. Looking forward to your answers to future questions I post!
1. What does it mean when someone says "I don't feel old?"
I think people usually use this phrase to mean they feel relatively physically healthy.
2. How have your ideas about aging changed over time?
I now feel that when you age you are the same "you" in essence, that you have always been, just with more experiences and hopefully a little more self-knowledge. At 60, you are the compilation of yourself at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and up until 60. You are not some different old person!
3. How old are you and how old do you feel?
I'm 62. I think I feel that age!
4. Are you comfortable telling people your age?
Yes. Except, I do hesitate a little in the workplace because the workforce feels younger and younger to me and I sometimes worry that 62 feels ancient (obsolete?) to people in their 20s and 30s. I feel embarrassed sometimes when I run into IT problems in a work meeting, like I'm "old" and don't "get" modern technology.
5. Do you look older or younger than your peers?
I'd say about the same. Growing up in SoCal was hard on the skin!
Thank you for making me pause to think about aging, Barbara!
1. What does it mean when someone says "I don't feel old?"
That they have some notion of what "old" is supposed to feel like, and they don't feel like that.
2. How have your ideas about aging changed over time?
I'm with you.. what ideas about aging? I don't have too many ideas about it even now.
3. How old are you and how old do you feel?
I'm 66, like the highway, for a few more months. I feel older than 25 and younger than 85. Definitely aware of physical limitations -- like when I feel like I'm walking briskly along, younger people pass me by effortlessly.
4. Are you comfortable telling people your age?
Depends on who the "people" are. Sometimes, honestly, I get annoyed when people my age assume I'm younger -- as in, "well, you're too young to remember -- fill in the blank" or something similar, and then I want to tell them. And sometimes I'm pleased when people are surprised by how old I am because they feel I act younger. Very unfair of me, I know.
5. Do you look older or younger than your peers?
I think I look a bit younger, unless I'm closely examining the age spots on my hands.
Love your always honesty!!
1. What does it mean when someone says I don’t feel old? When I say it, I mean it doesn’t feel the way it looked like it would. Middle aged people always seemed fully cooked and I still feel like I’m adding ingredients.
2. How have your ideas about aging changed overtime? I’ve always wanted to be older than I was, have things figured out, be surrounded by people who have depth, relax because now I’m coasting. The reality is, the older I get, the faster time moves, I still don’t feel like I belong with other people, and I start to feel closer to the end when I’m ready for. I still haven’t figured out what “enough” is, but I feel more clear and whole and purposeful and capable than ever before.
3. How old are you and how old do you feel? I am 49 years old. And I have no idea how old I feel.
4. Are you comfortable telling people your age? Yes I think it’s interesting and I’m kind of proud of it.
5. Do you look older or younger than your peers? Probably about the same.
Thanks for asking! Your Art delights me. 💜💚😘
Oh I love the idea of ingredients! I'm adding ingredients! Spices especially! lol
1. What does it mean when someone says "I don't feel old?"
It means "I'm not as old as you think I am." Or, "There must be some mistake, because I'm only 42 but I was born 66 years ago."
2. How have your ideas about aging changed over time?
"Old" was always 10 years older than me. Then my father died at 79. If I live longer than he did, I will then be old, despite the 10-years-older-than-me rule.
3. How old are you and how old do you feel?
I'm 66. I guess this is what 66 feels like.
4. Are you comfortable telling people your age?
Yes, but sometimes they don't feel comfortable hearing it. Not sure why.
5. Do you look older or younger than your peers?
Probably older. I began chemo at age 51 and finished it, a year later, at age 60. At least, that's how I felt and looked.
You have a very fungible way of keeping track of time. I like it!
1. It means they've been lucky enough to not have encountered any of the myriad of physical reminders of aging yet. I am one of those, But I do feel old in another way. I am. ever more aware of time, and its limits.
2.I like so many of us am staggered to think I am 78. I thought I would be a doddering grandpa and here I am, the same person. Maybe more tolerant, a bit more experienced with life, and even at my best moments a bit wise.
3. 78. I feel about 48
4. I am definitely not comfortable telling anyone under 60 my age. How can I ever outgrow that? I wonder what my clients think.
5. Somewhat younger but I think all of us look in the mirror and see someone younger than the world does.
Great questions--which I'll be pondering--and answers!
Hey all!
I love this line of inquiry, Barbara.
Here are my answers:
1. What does it mean when someone says "I don't feel old?"
My father always said into his 80's: "You're as old as you feel!" Sometimes I felt old when I was 8 or 9 or 10. I think we associate "oldness" with "weariness" and feeling worn out.
2. How have your ideas about aging changed over time?
I respect the passing of time more and have more patience for my elders and for folks who have put a lot of wear and tear on their minds and bodies, no matter what their biological age is.
3. How old are you and how old do you feel?
I am well into my 50's and very much enjoying it. I think more about what the world has been through since my birth year than I used to, and I feel I understand more about cycles of society.
4. Are you comfortable telling people your age?
Sure.
5. Do you look older or younger than your peers?
I have no idea, mainly because I don't look at myself in that way. I think people manifest physical ageing in a myriad of ways that has much to do with there genetic make-up and sun exposure, etc.
Enjoy the spring season, and thank you, Barbara!
Oldness= weariness. I think about that a lot. And like you I suspect, i've felt that wearying weltschmerz (world pain) since I was in my single digits. i guess from that perspective I've been old a long time. Looking forward to your answers to future questions I post!
Such interesting art and questions!
1. What does it mean when someone says "I don't feel old?"
I think people usually use this phrase to mean they feel relatively physically healthy.
2. How have your ideas about aging changed over time?
I now feel that when you age you are the same "you" in essence, that you have always been, just with more experiences and hopefully a little more self-knowledge. At 60, you are the compilation of yourself at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and up until 60. You are not some different old person!
3. How old are you and how old do you feel?
I'm 62. I think I feel that age!
4. Are you comfortable telling people your age?
Yes. Except, I do hesitate a little in the workplace because the workforce feels younger and younger to me and I sometimes worry that 62 feels ancient (obsolete?) to people in their 20s and 30s. I feel embarrassed sometimes when I run into IT problems in a work meeting, like I'm "old" and don't "get" modern technology.
5. Do you look older or younger than your peers?
I'd say about the same. Growing up in SoCal was hard on the skin!
Thank you for making me pause to think about aging, Barbara!