Growing old comes with all sorts of ups and downs.
We recentlyaskedpeople 40 and over in theBuzzFeed Communityto share the best and worst parts of getting older.
Here’s what they had to say:
1.
“Being in my 40s is truly liberating.
It no longer occurs to me to think about how others might perceive me.
I don’t chase youth because I know I am not young.
I get to be with myself and not with anybody else’s idea of who they think that is.
However, with that liberation comes the loss of attention.
As a woman, I feel a bit invisible in spaces where I used to shine.
I also wish I had known how to better prepare for the loss of my parents.
You don’t know what you have until it is gone.”
“The worst about getting older is that your parents get old and pass away.
The best part is aging beautifully.”
Natasha, London, United Kingdom
3.
“Everything we learned how to do on computers is now useless.
“The older I get, the faster time seems to go.
I feel like I was 25 just yesterday.
The hardest, most exhausting days of raising my children went incredibly fast.
I promise you’ll miss it, all of it.
I had my oldest son and my youngest son 19 years apart.
I had more energy for my oldest, but I’ve gained perspective and wisdom over the years.
I feel it benefits my youngest.
I don’t sweat the small stuff.”
“At my age, Im so content with where I am and enjoy being single.
If I meet Mr.
But, I don’t need a man to feel fulfilled.
I don’t look to others for happiness.
If I choose to get into a relationship at my age, it will be with a keeper.
I know what I want in a partner and I refuse to settle for anything less.
And if I dont find him, I’m not losing sleep over it.”
bestunicorn88
5.
I don’t worry if someone makes fun of me for not drinking alcohol.
I don’t worry if someone says I am crazy for not wanting to get married.
But the best part is the patience that comes with experience.
Being able to realize what’s worth worrying about.
I don’t waste my time on things that used to eat me up inside.”
Denyse, Canada
7.
“No one tells you that food can start affecting you differently as you age.
I never had an issue with chocolate in my younger years.
Once I hit my late 30s/early 40s, I have adverse reactions whenever I eat chocolate.
I won’t go into details, but I tend to get pretty sick.
I’m not allergic, I just don’t have a tolerance anymore.”
“Worst: waking up and hurting because you slept wrong.
jbdnco
9.
“I’m 42 and the best thing is that aging rocks!
Everyone made it seem like your life is over but mine feels like it is just beginning.
The worst part is that I can feel my body having a tougher time recovering.
A fall, cold, or heartache hits differently now.”
“The best is doing what you want and not caring if it’s popular.
Anonymous
11.
“The bad part: I need surgery on my shoulder due to a tear with no discernible cause.
The best part: I can afford the surgery.”
“It doesn’t suck any more than being 20 or 30.
There are challenges and benefits with every age.
Some things suck more, some suck less.
It’s all circumstantial.”
spiritedelf59
13.
The worst part is the everyday aches and pains that I can’t seem to get rid of.”
“Not being able to handle hangovers anymore.
I woke up on New Year’s Day after a day and night of partying.
I felt my head and liver couldn’t take the feeling of being nauseous anymore.
That was when I decided to stop drinking.
I’ve been clean for five months, and may it continue!”
“Caring less about what others think of you, especially what men think.
Caring less about what is fashionable and wearing what is comfortable is awesome.
I don’t wear makeup or dress for anyone but myself!”
“The hardest part is dating.
Men my age want younger women.
Younger guys are the only ones who are interested in me.
It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t have kids.
I don’t have them and would prefer a partner who doesn’t have them either.
For now, I gave up on dating.
It’s been more trouble than it’s worth.”
somethingintheway166
17.
“Constant stress stinks, but the self-assurance and confidence I’ve gained is great!
Finding who truly cares and matters over the years is very beneficial to a healthier life.
The body pain that seems to creep up out of nowhere is tough.”
“The best is not giving a s–t what others think of you.
I’m just over 40 and I still feel like I look great.
I take care of my body the best I can and make a run at stay active.
I have felt more confident in my body in this decade than I have in the past.
“The worst is how your body starts to feel on the inside.
Any injuries also take longer to heal.
Even minor cuts leave scars!
panda_13
19.
“For me, it’s simply not giving a f–k anymore.
My ‘summer bod’ is the body I have in the summer.
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
