What's it like to be 50?

[71T Targa]

Todd's post on your 10 year plans has got me thinking about what my life will be like then.

So to all you 50 year olds, what's it like?
Are you slowing down?
Do you feel like you have more or less time than you did 10 years ago?
Do you feel as old as we think you are?

What's it like to be 50?

[frogger]

It's all the same, just a bit creakier.

[Rot 911]

I'm 52 and I wish I could say it's the new 30, but it's not. I am slowing down physically. I feel my mortality and I realize I only have X number of years left.

[Hugh R]

Turned 54 last weekend. yeah, you look and go WTF happened to my life? I was just a recruit in the Marines, what 37 years ago! A little creakier, not much. Rebuilding engines was a lot easier 30 years ago for sure. For me, no specific health problems, the roids act up more than I'd like.

[hm7608]

Mentally not much change.
But physically I have to think twice about an activity I want to participate in. I have been very active all my life (definitely not an athlete). An injury over 50 will have a longer impact and may even deter you from doing things you would like to do. So, I am careful about what sports activities I participate in (skiing is my favorite) and when I do participate I am a little more careful.
One advantage to 52 is being a little more wiser and a little more tolerant while not losing my convictions and values.

[speeder]

As my late uncle Pat used to say when asked how he was doing,

Other than getting old and ugly, I'm doing fine."

[strupgolf]

After 50 its hard not go gain weight. I dont jog anymore because of my foot, and I seem to want to sit around (on this board) and not exercise. 50 does not seem any different than 40. I can do just about anything as before, but I find myself mellowing as I get older. Kids are grown and out, new grandbaby, one more on the way, new job that I will love, a chance to see the country at my pace, (a little). Finances OK. It just seems like 50 to 60 goes faster than the rest.

[Les Paul]

I'll soon be 54. I was a hard core runner weight lifter for 35+ years. I basically quit it at 50 and of course gained 50lbs. I still feel good but on a related post my wife of 31 years kind of rags on me for gaining all the weight and seemingly not caring about it. I'll be retired in slightly over a year and I'll have plenty of time to get back in shape. I ran a 4:43 mile at age 47 and would like to see if I can get under 5 again.

[Dueller]

Noquestion about it there are changes...but not all for the worse. I can honestly say that I have enjoyed each decade more than the previous one. Yeah, you know you've lost a step on the tennis court, but you've finally perfected some crafty shots.

Even the minor aches and pains remind you that you still have some life left in you. People seem to listen to you a little closer as someone who has lived life and may have something significant to add to a conversation. Maybe like Tom Wolfe's "A Man in Full."

Maybe its hard earned respect. That, or they're afraid you'll hit 'em with your cane

[Jim Richards]

I'm getting a bit creaky, but not to point where it impacts my lifestyle much. I fast walk/jog about 45 miles per week with my wife. I have a pretty healthy diet, too. I'm more relaxed and happy than when I was in my 40's.

[widgeon13]

I'm 61 and still do most of the physical things I did years ago. (water ski, snow ski, shovel snow, volunteer EMT and fireman, hiking, flying. It takes longer to recuperate but I usually take an Ibuprofen in the morning along with two monster vitamin tablets that my wife has been feeding me for years. I think a little more about risky behavior, ladders and falling but still try to test myself with physical activity and exercise. Always been active and outdoor oriented. Have been getting a good physical every year for the last 25 years or so and when I come out of each one w/ a clean bill of health, I always feel rejuvenated. Doesn't do any good to look back as you can't do shlt about the water under the bridge. I've been retired for four years and hang with other people my age but also some younger folks as well, all very active. Have some good genes, my father's mother was 109, mother is 95 and my Dad passed at 81 after dealing with cancer for 17 years but he smoked until he was 65. Sure you think about being older but you have to enjoy all stages of life, growing older is about remembering the good old days but also making new memories.

[Dan in Pasadena]

I just turned 53 in December so I am right in the same groove as everyone else who responded....and I agree with all the above:

"I am slowing down physically. I feel my mortality..." Yup, but I try not to focus on it.

"...WTF happened to my life?" Yup, 10 yrs ago I was happily married to my childhood sweetheart, watching my kids...and quickly accelerating toward divorce and a full life tumult without knowing it.

"I am careful about what sports activities I participate in (skiing is my favorite) and when I do participate I am a little more careful." Yup, just got back from a week in Lake Tahoe, new skis, I did fine...I APPRECIATE that I did, and yes, I WAS a bit more careful.

"No question about it there are changes...but not all for the worse."

This is the most true for me. I have gained a perspective I didn't have before when my life was un-interrupted . I appreciate things more. I have noticed there are two kinds of older people: The ones who have it "all figured out", they are world weary, they are embittered about what has happened to them or what they didn't achieve, or how the world has turned out, tsk, tsk, tsk! (my mother, sad but true) ...and there are those that have had the hard "corners" on their personalities sort of polished away by being tossed in the stream of life. (my Dad, though he has passed on). They have become philosophical, appreciative, they have a witty point of view on the world and their circumstances. THis is the person I m striving...and sometimes failing...to become.

[tabs]

Here today, dead tommorow.

[Rot 911]

Some things just plain scare/worry you more after 50. I got fired from my job by a new boss when I was 51. Not like when I was 40 and I could blow it off and just find another one. People are less inclined to hire older people, and unfortunately I am older. Found a better job, but now have that little worry in the back of my mind.

Had a serious illness last fall. While I have recovered, I worry more about what might happen in the future.

On the other hand I drive the snot out of my 911, 325i and 2 motorcycles so life ain't all bad.

[rfuerst911sc]

I recently turned 50 and no big deal. I have said for a long time I know people that are 30 that are old and people that are 70 that are young. This means much of your age is between your ears. Sure I'm not as fast as I once was but I am smarter and so far no health issues. My kids are grown up and out of the house and the wife and I enjoy our time. Lets face it no matter what your age you never know how much longer you have. Party hardy and eat dessert first

[stevepaa]

Yeah, 59 soon and I need to put up the snowboard and return to skis. Also need to lose a little weight, I have gained 40 lbs in forty years.

Last child is a junior at Cal. Others are starting out with a little hlep from me. Seem to be doing fine.

Joints are acting up.

Relish sitting by the sea watching the waves with my wife more than I used to.

[nostatic]

I'm only 46 but I'm struck by how much older everyone else looks while I look the same.

heh. Beer good!

[dagriff]

I'm 55 next month.
Up to then I am "early fifties", but after that, 60 is the next stop. That I find disturbing.
Like the other posters, I find I have to plan physical activity a bit more carefully. e.g. I will use lifting aids where a few years ago I would just pick it up.
I always wear the appropriate safety gear (eye protection, gloves etc) where before I would not be as careful.
The other night I was under the 911's dash on my back, arse on the seat, when it came to get out I found it very hard! I was almost at the point of calling for help!
I also don't drink like I used to 'cos like physical activity, it's the next day I can't handle.
A few friends have died (including my oldest & best) & when I found myself in an Ambulance rushing to hospital on Dec 27th (on holiday in the UK), I must say that I was a lot more worried than perhaps I would have been a few years ago (it turned out to be kidney stones, problem is they said "while we were doing the C.T. scan we noticed something else......" thats still pending tests......

On the plus side, my wife says I was always a grumpy bastard, I am now a grumpy OLD bastard! This seems to mean that I no longer get into heated arguments with people, they just smile & nod their heads, patronizing the G.O.B. !
This being old and opinionated I don't mind, If someone doesn't like what I'm saying then they can F***k off, I am at an age that I don't need to be nice to people that I can't stand!

I am fortunate have been "semi-retired" the last 6 months, which appears to mean I do more for less!
And of course you realize the things you were told about wasting your youth, were all true & you ignored them!!!
"Life is what happens when you were busy doing something else". or words to that effect.

On the whole though, I think there are a few more things I want to do, and looking back I have done a lot of stuff others only dream about (mostly because I stoped dreaming about them and DID THEM!

[craigster59]

I haven't hit 50 yet, but I made it past 40. Even though you may slow down a bit, you feel a bit more comfortable in your own skin. And no matter how much you dwell on it, there's nothing you can do to change the past but the future is wide open.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by dagriff

....This being old and opinionated I don't mind, If someone doesn't like what I'm saying then they can F***k off, I am at an age that I don't need to be nice to people that I can't stand!

See what I mean about some get hardened off and some get easy?

I'm not faulting dagriff, if that's how he feels then that's how he feels.

My point is this: Two things await us when we get truly old: loss of independence and probably loss of dignity. If we live long enough we have to rely on others - to take us places, to help us do things, (gulp!) to wipe our arses (Please God, no!). If I am a crusty old b@stard and see everything through schit colored glasses, why would anyone want to help me, spend time with me? I don't want to be someone's obligation. I want my kids, etc to look forward to visiting with me. Plus, I just don't want to spend the last decades of my life pi$$ed off! YMMV.