How can I make such a claim? Do I really expect to live to 112?
Let me explain. I’ve always felt that you can’t count the first 20 years. All you’re doing is maturing into adulthood. How can preschool count when you’re figuring out how old you are? 4th grade? The teen years? No, I only count the adult years, and by that measure I’m only 36. And except for my stiff back and aching hips when I get out of bed in the morning, I FEEL 36, in my mind
But here’s the most important thing: I think you’re middle-aged when you reach that golden ground between having raised your kids, and declining. So if you’re 85 and going strong, like my mom, learning new things all the time, curious, hungry still for self-mastery and knowledge, then you might never leave middle-age, according to my definition.
May we never leave middle-age.
Being middle aged is a state of mind. I struggled with puberty right up until I hit menopause. When I was 18, I could walk twenty miles just because my youthful exuberance was based on not knowing any better. I am pushing 60 and just did a 22 mile walk because I simply enjoyed it. To me, people seem to rein themselves in as they age, but for me I continue to expand my horizons. I have no idea where my outer perimeters lie. Maybe mine are missing in action, action with no limits. Yep, a state of mind for me.
You are one in a million, CJ. Can only imagine what boundaries you’re going to blow past as an old broad.
Oh, I forgot to mention – whenever anyone asks me my age (not many people do except those young whippersnappers in checkout lines, when you’re buying alcohol) I always say I’m 60, even though I’m in my 50s. When I was in my 40s I said I was 50. Always saved me having to do the math to figure out what my actual age is, and people would always say, “Wow, you look good for being that old.”
That’s funny, because I have often been embarrassed when asked my age, because I can’t always remember! I once went half a year thinking I was older. I like your program.
Just checked out your blog and enjoyed it very much.
Excellent writing and insights.
Thanks.
Thanks for the compliment, Barbara. Stop by anytime.
It seems to me that age has more to do with your state of mind than with the chronological age..I love being 64 and wouldn’t go back to have to go through everything I went through to get to where I am today..No Way! Heck,I’m inching past the middle into the “young” elderly category. Watch out world, here I come!
You’ll always be middle-aged, girlfriend! Always learning something new.
See, Kathy, I never would have known your age if you hadn’t announced it! Guess that proves age is a state of mind (and you’re FAR from “elderly,” even if it’s young elderly!!)
I kind of agree with this guy: http://www.middleage.org/definition.shtml
Middle age seems to be that time of life when people realize “it’s all downhill from here.” The actual number, of course, will vary with each person (and probably with how they’re feeling that particular day). I’ve never felt that you “hit” middle age at a certain number; it’s more a state of mind. I’ve known far too many vibrant, active seniors who are contributing members of society, who are hopeful about their future, who still look forward to getting out of bed in the a.m. — and these people, to me, are still in the prime of life. By the same token, somebody who’s in their early 20s, disabled from disease and aching constantly, with no hope of ever getting better — might be considered “old.”
Hi, Deb. I checked out that link (middleage.org) by Bob Adams – he has been maintaining that site since 1998! I didn’t agree with this statement:
“I’ve decided that middle age is that point in your life when you shift from seeing the future in terms of your potential and begin to see it in terms of your limitations.”
The reason is because I’ve never felt so free, smart, or creative – and I can handle stress and drama better now – even though of course I realize more than ever, I’m mortal and there IS a ticking clock.
Thanks again for the link. I’ll be reading Bob’s blog frequently from now on.