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Aging
Nov 28, 2018 13:56:59 GMT -5
Post by slb2 on Nov 28, 2018 13:56:59 GMT -5
I noticed that I don't have the stamina I once did. I walked up to the third floor at the radio station yesterday and found myself huffing and puffing a bit. I'm wondering how much my body will limit me as I add the years. I'm 55 now. What will it be like at 65 and 75?
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
What's been a significant change, good or bad, about growing older?
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Post by Jane on Nov 28, 2018 14:06:12 GMT -5
I'm 72. Everything hurts. I'm not as interested as I used to be in traveling. I don't really feel like I'm slowing down much, but perhaps that is only my own perception not based in any actual facts.
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Post by liriodendron on Nov 28, 2018 19:01:06 GMT -5
Something good. I care a lot less about what other people think, which makes it possible to wear what is comfortable as opposed to what is stylish.
Now the bad. Unfortunately, I'd thought that it was my hip replacement that was making me less agile, especially when it comes to things like hopping up and down from kick stools/step stools at work or getting up and down off the floor (quickly and gracefully, such as at the end of the Silly Dance Contest song in my storytime). Now, I'm beginning to think that this is just part of getting older. I also find that if I sit for too long that I am stiff when I get up from my desk. Unfortunately, I spend much more time working in my office as the Head of the Children's Department than I did while working as a Reference Librarian.
I am 60.
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Post by doctork on Nov 29, 2018 16:28:06 GMT -5
I have all of the above - less stamina, more aches and pains, less agile, plus my balance isn't very good, but I can't tell what is from aging and what is from MS. The need for a new knee is from an old skiing injury, not just aging. I can tell because the other knee is the same age and it is fine.
I noticed I cared much less about what others think of me starting around age 40. I'm 67 and I don't have to be employed, as I could just retire and collect Social Security and my pension, maybe move to Ecuador. But I really love my work so I am still in the game.
My clinical judgement in my medical work is still getting better every year. I've spent so many years seeing so many variations of ailments, that many things are very obvious to me at first glance, whereas my younger colleagues have to order lots more tests and get more consults in order to recognize what is wrong. They might pick up something newfangled sooner, or they probably won't - it seems like my brain's "tree" has more branches to hang the new stuff onto, so I can see where they fit in quicker and use them more efficiently. OTOH - I have seen so many things that were the greatest thing since sliced bread turn out to be Not-so-good, that I am less likely to jump on a silly bandwagon too soon.
I think that is probably true of many professional areas.
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Aging
Nov 30, 2018 10:01:51 GMT -5
slb2 likes this
Post by BoatBabe on Nov 30, 2018 10:01:51 GMT -5
Yup, all of the above. Thom's Mom, Madeline, used to say, "Growing old is not for the faint-of-heart."
I particularly relate to Doc's words // OTOH - I have seen so many things that were the greatest thing since sliced bread turn out to be Not-so-good, that I am less likely to jump on a silly bandwagon too soon. \\
I've learned to ask the right questions, doubt the absolutes, and see how those Sure Deals might evolve into unintended consequences. It makes me a good problem solver who can flexibly strike out in a brand-new direction; a skill that makes the "It's Always Been This One Way, and Only This One Way" folks cringe and run away screaming. I don't miss them anymore.
It's time to go create another Successful Day, aching knees and poor balance notwithstanding.
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Post by joew on Nov 30, 2018 16:24:41 GMT -5
I'm no longer the fastest person on the sidewalk , although I'm definitely not the slowest, either. I take naps. I drive a little more cautiously.
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Post by jspnrvr on Nov 30, 2018 18:20:09 GMT -5
Well, physical changes, mostly for the worse. The most glaring being the need for that shoulder surgery last Spring. I can't absorb as much punishment as I used to, that's for sure. Weight gain, particularly since retirement. I've a line of old belts that I can use to track the advance. But after I got the final check-off from my ortho surgeon last August, I joined a gymn! I haven't lost any weight yet, but my mood has improved.
Like Joe, I drive more cautiously, especially out on the highways for a road trip. But in town also, since I got clobbered by that chickey a couple of years ago. Naps are good. I used to be able to write my name in the sand, in Palmer Method cursive, dotting I's and crossing T's. Now I just print my initials. Ah, well.
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Post by Jane on Nov 30, 2018 22:25:02 GMT -5
We went to an improv show tonight and were by far the oldest people there. I tried to look like a hip oldster, but I don't know if I pulled it off.
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Aging
Dec 1, 2018 23:14:39 GMT -5
Post by slb2 on Dec 1, 2018 23:14:39 GMT -5
My church is ridiculous young. Many times, I am the OLDEST person there. Did I say I was 55? I'm easily ten to fifteen years older than 95% of my church. I do not like that aspect.
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Post by doctork on Dec 2, 2018 19:43:20 GMT -5
Appreciation of diversity is a good thing in many respects, with age being one of them. Some kids, some oldsters and everyone in between.
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Post by slb2 on Dec 3, 2018 14:49:38 GMT -5
Appreciation of diversity is a good thing in many respects, with age being one of them. Some kids, some oldsters and everyone in between. I'd appreciate more people in my church who are even 70 years old. I don't think there are any. 50% are under the age of 16.
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Post by Jane on Dec 3, 2018 16:44:01 GMT -5
Most churches are mostly old people.
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Post by doctork on Dec 8, 2018 1:28:35 GMT -5
I know that is generally quite true of the "mainline Protestant" churches but I think a lot of the non-denominational Christian churches, especially the mega-churches have lots of younger people - like slb2 describes.
Face it, older adults who are retired from the Monday - Friday 8 to 5 routine do have more time for church participation. And I'd guess as we get older those intimations of mortality become more real. But I dunno - after God told me to go to Afghanistan, where I saw lots of mortality up close and personal, those intimations of my own mortality became very real very quickly. That I survived all that and brain surgery too, in quick succession, convinced me that God has a plan for me and I shouldn't be worrying myself about it. Just keep on keeping on.
"Every night when I go to bed, I give my worries to God. He's gonna be up all night anyway." That was the plaque on the wall at the state medical school where I used to teach. I thought they didn't allow such religious stuff in state institutions but I guess the ACLU hadn't got there yet.
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