“One myth is that your 20s and 30s are the best years of your life.
I was miserable as a young, married woman.
I was self-conscious and depressed all the time.
My life is so much better at this stage of my life.”
Here are the surprising results:
1.
“The biggest surprise to me is that it is NOT always a slow, gradual process.
Many people experience sudden aging that happens all at once in their 40s.
axj66
2.
“Old dogs CAN learn new tricks!
I turn 62 in a couple of days.”
glitterysinger70
3.
And my 62-year-old stepfather rides anywhere between 20150 miles per week on his bike.
wine_witch84
4.
“Adulthood lasts a long time.
There is a whole, large window of just being an adult.
Not old, not young just grown.”
bayyc7
5.
We ignore the fact that most of us are in the same boat.
Go visit someone older than you, talk about the past, and share memories with each other.
They will listen and appreciate your struggles and enjoy your company.”
70, Minnesota
6.
65+, Europe
7.
Wherever I go, I am treated with warmth, kindness, respect, and courtesy.
70, Oregon
8.
“Just because you’re old doesn’t mean you have diminished mental capacity.
Some older people are more capable, vibrant, and effective than younger people ever were.
Age doesn’t necessarily negatively affect cognitive function!”
65, New Mexico
9.
“You won’t have time later to do the things you want, plain and simple.
Do those things now.
So, take the time to enjoy things when you are younger.”
48, USA
10.
“The idea that we’re constantly needing medication for every little thing.
78, USA
11.
“I’ve learned that age only brings wisdomifyou learn from your mistakes.
We learned to have a place inspected before moving in.”
60, Texas
12.
“Myth: That old people are tired of living and ready for their life’s end.
My mind is just the same as when I was in my 20s.
My body is worn out, but I still have so much more living to do.
I’m terrified of dying and actually have panic attacks thinking about it.
I don’t want to become nothing.”
“People don’t realize that they will be lucky to become old.
So many of my friends are long gone before they even thought about aging.”
72, Arizona
14.
“I am a boomer, and there are a lot of misconceptions floating around.
Number two is that they think we all have poor vision because we’re old.
I have had 20/20 all of my life.”
magicalkid98
And finally…
15.
I was miserable as a young, married woman.
I was self-conscious and depressed all the time.
My life is so much better at this stage of my life.”
“I’ve never been happier now that I’m divorced and at peace with my body.
I have more money, too.”
50, Canada
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
