Does aging depress you?

When you get old, you'll lose out on a lot you used to be able to do.

But if you plan it right, you can pay other people to do it for you.
Like what, OP?
no, at least not yet
44
It would only depress me if I were too poor to not have the necessities. With age comes perspective, and on most fronts, acceptance.
No, it doesn't depress me. But, I know some people who are very bothered by it.
57
I am afraid I won't find love or have a family. otherwise not too much.
I'm having a hard time with it right now because I'm turning 50 soon. Yikes!
actually, having enough for the necessities is ok; having enough for at least a few luxuries is MUCH better and far less depressing (so, work a little harder/smarter and save/invest a little more.)
anon
I don't mind getting older. The only thing I don't like is when something hurts for no damn good reason. You don't know if it's nothing or if it's the start of something big. So far, so good, because all my mystery aches and pains have gone away on their own.
I am lucky to have some savings, SS, and a pension plus decent health. It's really nice not to have to work. Yes, it's lonely at time, so keeping busy with things you like is very important. With decent income and health it is not something to be depressed about...really.
It's less depressing than the alternative.
Acceptance can be depressing. Getting old is pretty bad.
Yes, R11, I agree, as I'm at age 65, the alternative which is death is very depressing. My health is not that great and as R6 worries, I do not have love nor a family, but I still find great pleasure and delight in life. I'm interested in so many things in the world and life, and that keeps my mind occupied. It is very difficult to meet new people with whom to become friends.
Why waste energy getting upset about something that is inevitable and universal?
I'm 41 and i'm not depressed at all. if you take care of yourself, you'll look ok and feel ok. love helps.
Yes. I regret not doing certain things when I was younger, but I realize I'm not so old I can't still attempt the majority of those things. It's all about perspective.
40-something
Seeing other people age depresses me. People I went to college with look drastically different. I can't bear to see them. They, on the other hand, are shocked to see that I still look the same.
R17, that was HILARIOUS!
Remember, you always have the option of ending it all and then you won't be depressed any longer.
Why should you in your 40's feel anything negative? 40's is still young! Even in my 60's, life is great, despite the obstacles!
It's strange, I'm very attracted to older "Daddy" types but the idea of getting older(I'm 41)sends a chill through me.
It depresses me in the sense that I imagined my life to be far better in many respect than it is now. I'm not even sure how I managed to get to this age without having more to show for it. And, unfortunately, it's likely too late to accomplish a number of things I expect would make me truly happy. Additionally, both my parents died unexpectedly this past year(within a few months of each other)from cancers diagnosed at stage 4. One was 69 and the other 70; both were very healthy and vibrant right up to their diagnosis. The worst part is that my father had just retired and sold his business the month my mom was diagnosed. The only thing they were able to spend their life savings on was medical bills. This made me much more aware of how short life really is. Sorry to be the major Debbie Downer of the thread.
44
Sympathies to R[22]. Your parents had no indication of their illness? Did they live healthy? I worry because my parents are my only connection to the world. I'm 48 and while I am not depressed about aging, I do feel depressed thinking of losing my parents. I am sad about not having a SO or a family of my own. It just didn't pan out. I'm also sad (not depressed) that i wont' have another opportunity to see Europe. I get somewhat alarmed my body breaks down easier now. Can't bend the knees, lift myself, or maintain the physical stamina like I used to. I'm sure when I really hit the skids,I'm be totally depressed.
For me it's trying to figure out what clothing is age appropriate. I am 47 and look much younger -- good genes. So do I dress for what age I look or the age I am. Looking at clothing that only a few years ago I wouldn't think twice about about buying just depresses me more. Also being unemployed at 47. Ageism is a very real problem for the unemployed.
The only thing that depresses me is when my caftans no longer fit. Earrings are forever.
Yes. And I'm only 24.
Yes. My references are becoming dated, and my skin has lost its sheen forever. Also, no one can ever warn you enough about hot flashes. The reality is beyond horrific.
50
R22, what type of cancer did your parents have? How strange that they got cancer at almost the same time.
Oh for god sakes, if hot flashes are the worst thing you encounter in growing older, you will be very lucky.
I hope I have another shot at it because I didn't do anything worthwhile in this life.
Aging doesn't depress me, but the people who constantly remind me of it do.
The older I get the bigger the denominator I use.
Catherine%20Zeta%20Jones
One thing that kind of bums me out is that I started really getting into watching YouTube videos recently and there doesn't seem to be anyone with similar interests over the age of 30 and all the gay people there seem to be 25 and under!
I find I'm getting more "cougar-ish" in terms of my sexual interests. although I don't actually act on them at this point. I may, in the future.
Re: "Does aging depress you?" O hell no! This is the best time of my life.
My Mom had an early stage of breast cancer. After a lumpectomy, she had a CT to see if she should consider radiation or chemo. At that point, we found out she had stage 4 renal (kidney) cancer, totally unrelated to the breast cancer, that had metastasized to her lungs. The renal cancer, which is incurable, took her life within 6 months. 3 weeks after my mom died, my dad, who was a long distance runner, went in for a pre-knee surgery physical and his blood counts were way off. Over the course of a few months he succumbed to an extremely rare form of Non-Hodgkins lymphoma (blood cancer that wiped out his immune system in a very short matter of time. Up until their diagnosis (and even through most of their illness) they were very healthy, fit individuals. Both diagnosis and deaths were shocking to say the least. The hardest part of it all, beyond losing two parents in such a short time frame, is losing all sense of family, especially when I'm single. Years 2013 and on are going to be full of changes and adjustments.
The only thing that depresses me is that I didn't have all this cool technology shit when I was young. No iPhones, iPads, flat screen TVs, Internet porn, no Grinder, no Scruff no Craig's List. You young bitches have it all... and you still complain.
Techo%20Dad
Life is a slippery slope.
Anomynous%20
Sorry to hear that R36. Both my parents are gone, one very long slow and the other suddenly in a car accident. Even if you have brothers and sisters, you feel like an orphan for a while. (AKA years) It gets easier over time. Native Americans believe their elders are only gone when they stop talking about them. Not the other way around.
The weird part about aging is that even if you are in good health, people around you who you thought were your equals and maybe even take better care of them self suddenly get things. People you didn't expect and even people younger then you start dieing off way before it seems like they should.
I live in the fat belt of 'Mercer' and it's depressing; most of my fellow single friends in their 40s and 50s now live in bars. Most of the guys have good shoulders, but saggy moobs, fat guts and skinny legs. They're all glassy-eyed in the morning and bitchy in the afternoon. No show/no call is an accepted thing around here - "Oh, I was hungover again." The women are just as bad. Imagine fake tits on a body that's sagging and a gut that's going German beer garden lady. Now, put that body on some high heels and poor some vodka into its gut. They just love their gays. Fuck you, Kathy Griffin. In my own case, I'm still as hyper as ever. Unfortunately, I run out of steam and only accomplish half of what I plan each day. I've never been able to sleep more than four hours at a time. This was great in my 20s and 30s. Now, I'm in my mid forties and I need two sessions per night. This is probably not healthy. One thing that aggravates me: I'm starting to show old man skin on the backs of my hands. Little diamond patterns in the skin show up whenever I'm dehydrated. I'm waiting for liver spots. Oh, and I have this vertical flap of skin under my chin that wasn't there two years ago. WTF?
I only get depressed because in my head I still feel like I am 25. Thinking just as sharp, interested in new things, love making friend, like new music, up on the coolest gadgets. Then I walk past the mirror in horror!
[R29]: No. Hot flashes are not the worst thing I have encountered. Losing both breasts to cancer and dealing with keloid scars that feel like a rope around my chest is the worst thing. Happy?
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I'm cheered up by the thought of OP aging.
R41, Diamond pattern? = You tanned way too much Snooky Two sleeping sessions? = Its called a nap Vertical Flap? WTF = Are you a Turkey?
It doesn't thrill me. But if you're alive, you're aging. No one is getting younger. Which should be reason for everyone to treat others well.
My dick keeps growing but so dose my belly.
I have been with my partner for 15 years. Things are good, better now then ever imagined. But, kind of depressing seeing single friends in their late 40s who are handsome, in good shape, make good money throwing their life. There is sort of a desperation that sets in on them as they start going crazy trying to find someone. The drinking, drug or anonymous sex action they did recreationally when they were young, kicks up into high gear. Usually end up in some kind of trouble. Usually also end up as the most bitter of all queens.
I love who I am now ( 44) .i would love to look like 20 but be it ...never.All that angst and romantic longing for men I never had the guts to say I like .My only regret now is I was so romantic I should have spread my legs more :)