If you didn't know how old you really were, how old would you be?

[Mom to Aly]

I saw this a while ago, I think on a bumper sticker or something, and have thought about it from time to time. If you didn't know your real age, how old would you be? Between mind, spirit, body, the whole thing, on good days, not bad, what would your age now be? (Trying for a happy thread here!)

[Just Me]

I would be 30. I am actually 39, but certainly don't feel that old, however, I am wiser than I was years ago. And for me 30 feels young but wise!

[Mom2boys]

I would be 32. I am also 39, and not looking forward to turning 40 in a few months. To me, 32 seems young, but experienced and capable.

[CactusPair]

I was going to say 30, too. I guess I'll say 32 now.

 

32.:D

[Diane in CO]

24:lol: I am actually 37, but I feel a lot younger (except when I am dealing with my kids :D)

 

Diane

[BritAnnia]

Well, according to a letter I recieved today inviting me to participate in a research study at a local (top notch!) university... I'm aged 70-85 :blink:

[Sputterduck]

22

[Crissy]

These days I really feel as if I'm much older than I am.

Pain. Extra weight. Ugh.

[Guest Virginia Dawn]

I'm stuck at 40. I'll be 44 in Nov. I felt every inch of 40 when I reached it, and I don't know what happened to the last 4 years.

[Aggie]

What a great question!

 

I would say around 35. Dh said he would be 30-something.

 

It's funny how our impression of certain ages changes, isn't it? :)

[GraceinMD]

If you didn't know your real age, how old would you be?

 

I love this question!

 

When I interview a new patient with dementia, I ask them how old they are (among other things!) - just to see if they know. Most often, they don't remember at all, and then I'll ask, "Well, how old do you feel?"

 

It makes me very happy that most of the time (I'd say at least 80% of the time), they say they're 16, or 22, or 25. It's rarely much older than that. I just think that's such a sort of relieving piece of info, because we (on the "outside") are thinking how awful it is to have dementia, be frail, or arthritic, etc., yet despite those limitations, these folks FEEL so much younger. It's a nice disconnect in the midst of some really awful disconnects (e.g., not knowing family members).

 

I'm always shocked that I'm NOT 25.

[Parrothead]

I feel my age (body), I act 15 years younger (spirit), and I have a bit of wisdom now that the average 30 year old should have (mind). I was a late bloomer there. So lets see... 41-15=26+30=56/2=28 I'm 28 in Me Time.

[Kathleen in VA]

These days I really feel as if I'm much older than I am.

Pain. Extra weight. Ugh.

 

Me, too. I'm 49, will be 50 soon, and feel like I'm 80. Both my grandmas lived spry, active lives into their 90s so if I compare myself to them I guess I'm closer to 100.

[Mom to Aly]

I used to say I felt 80, when I weighed more, and ached everywhere, and my back was worse--I could almost hear my body creaking. Since I have lost weight, I feel like I am in my early 30's. I'm 42. I was in amazing shape in my early to mid 20's--that is what I'm aiming for :).

[Mom to Aly]

I love this question!

 

When I interview a new patient with dementia, I ask them how old they are (among other things!) - just to see if they know. Most often, they don't remember at all, and then I'll ask, "Well, how old do you feel?"

 

It makes me very happy that most of the time (I'd say at least 80% of the time), they say they're 16, or 22, or 25. It's rarely much older than that. I just think that's such a sort of relieving piece of info, because we (on the "outside") are thinking how awful it is to have dementia, be frail, or arthritic, etc., yet despite those limitations, these folks FEEL so much younger. It's a nice disconnect in the midst of some really awful disconnects (e.g., not knowing family members).

 

I'm always shocked that I'm NOT 25.

 

This is such a lovely post! I agree, with a grandmother and great-grandmother who both died of alzheimer's, and a mother who is starting to go through it, it is comforting and wonderful to hear this. Thank you for posting it. :001_smile:

[Amy in Orlando]

I love this question!

 

When I interview a new patient with dementia, I ask them how old they are (among other things!) - just to see if they know. Most often, they don't remember at all, and then I'll ask, "Well, how old do you feel?"

 

It makes me very happy that most of the time (I'd say at least 80% of the time), they say they're 16, or 22, or 25. It's rarely much older than that. I just think that's such a sort of relieving piece of info, because we (on the "outside") are thinking how awful it is to have dementia, be frail, or arthritic, etc., yet despite those limitations, these folks FEEL so much younger. It's a nice disconnect in the midst of some really awful disconnects (e.g., not knowing family members).

 

I'm always shocked that I'm NOT 25.

 

I love this question, too! Grace, my grandma was like some of your patients. She was horrified to learn her real age - she was sure she was 16! And, I was glad for her because it made her happy.

 

Me? I feel maybe 25-30, but smarter :lol:. My booKs, butt and stomach tell me otherwise, but I feel MUCH younger than I am. The mirror is a constant surprise.

[Mama Lynx]

Depending on the day, anywhere from 16-22.

 

Physically, I feel my age. Ugh. But mentally? I'm still a teenager. I still feel like I don't know how to get to know my neighbors, because THEY are adults.

 

It's odd that as I approach 40 (what? who said that?) I am just now slowly, slowly, finally, beginning to feel the confidence of an "adult" in some areas. Funny, isn't it?

[Chris in CA]

I'm thinking 27, but my darn kids keep getting older and pretty soon they'll catch up :glare:

[Laura in VA]

This is such a lovely post! I agree, with a grandmother and great-grandmother who both died of alzheimer's, and a mother who is starting to go through it, it is comforting and wonderful to hear this. Thank you for posting it. :001_smile:

 

:iagree:. My granny died just last year and it was very humbling to witness her journey.

[Tabrett]

I feel 27. Mainly because I have 3 little dc under 5 years old. Most people think I am younger than I am:D. Then my 14 year old dd comes up and I have to confess my real age of 37:tongue_smilie:.

[Soph the vet]

I am stuck at 26. I was born 26 (very independent child) and now that I am 41, I am still 26 in my mind.:001_smile:

[Quiver0f10]

I am going to be 40 next month, but I feel @ 25-30. I feel better now than I did at 30 LOL.

[tibbyl]

You would be the age you truly are regardless of your orientation as to time or space or the condition of your mind, body, or spirit. Age is a uniform standard measure of length of time that has lapsed since birth. Thus, a senile 90 year old woman who wholeheartedly believes she is a 17 year old prom queen is indeed 90 years old.

 

I once read in a national news magazine that an overwhelming majority of baby boomers insist they appear younger than they are. But an individual grows accustomed to the gradual changes brought on by aging because they see themselves daily in mirror. Frankly I find it sad when people feel need to add qualifiers like, "I'm a young 50." Surely a positive attitude and beign engaged in life contribute to one's overall happiness. Such people consistenly defy cultural expectations of certain age benchmarks. But chronological age is a measurement of time lapsed, nothing more, nothing less. Tis not a mutable thing.

 

I've always wondered if, in cultures where elderly are revered for their wisdom, does the younger set use cosmetic techniques to appear older? Do they say things like, "I'm a wise, leathery 30."

Edited September 28, 2008 by tibbyl

[Jenny in Atl]

Mentally ~ 24

Physically ~ 43 :lol:

[percytruffle]

Until about five years ago I always felt younger than I was and was always surprised by my image in a mirror. Now that I am pushing 46 I physically feel about 40-42 most days and mentally I think I am quicker than I was in my twenties and thirties. Spiritually I feel about my age. I like life in my 40's for the most part. There are those days when I feel about 80 though!

[Mom to Aly]

"You would be the age you truly are regardless of your orientation as to time or space or the condition of your mind, body, or spirit."

 

Party pooper ;)

[JenneinCA]

I feel old. The events of the past two years have aged me far beyond the two calendar years they represent. I guess that happens sometimes.

[Karen sn]

I love this question!

 

When I interview a new patient with dementia, I ask them how old they are (among other things!) - just to see if they know. Most often, they don't remember at all, and then I'll ask, "Well, how old do you feel?"

 

It makes me very happy that most of the time (I'd say at least 80% of the time), they say they're 16, or 22, or 25. It's rarely much older than that. I just think that's such a sort of relieving piece of info, because we (on the "outside") are thinking how awful it is to have dementia, be frail, or arthritic, etc., yet despite those limitations, these folks FEEL so much younger. It's a nice disconnect in the midst of some really awful disconnects (e.g., not knowing family members).

 

I'm always shocked that I'm NOT 25.

 

Beautiful insight into the world of dementia.

[sagira]

Hmmm.. I'm 31, but I feel 22. The other day dh (who's going to be 30 in late October) and I were talking about how it feels like we're playing house instead of really having kids and a house entrusted to us :tongue_smilie:

 

Many times I feel so immature, and undisciplined.. Kids pick up on that. I remember playing with some kids my son's age (then 3) and they would listen to all the adults but me, and the moms telling them that I was ds' mom and "a mom too" and the kids were incredulous. She's a mom? :lol:

 

I swear I'm constantly asking myself -- are kids supposed to be allowed to do that? Is it OK? Sometimes I have to go and ask an adult :lol:

 

I look ten years younger than 31 to most people too :)

Edited September 28, 2008 by sagira

[Guest janainaz]

I'd be 20 minus all the stupid stuff I did.

[8filltheheart]

You would be the age you truly are regardless of your orientation as to time or space or the condition of your mind, body, or spirit. Age is a uniform standard measure of length of time that has lapsed since birth. Thus, a senile 90 year old woman who wholeheartedly believes she is a 17 year old prom queen is indeed 90 years old.

 

I once read in a national news magazine that an overwhelming majority of baby boomers insist they appear younger than they are. But an individual grows accustomed to the gradual changes brought on by aging because they see themselves daily in mirror. Frankly I find it sad when people feel need to add qualifiers like, "I'm a young 50." Surely a positive attitude and beign engaged in life contribute to one's overall happiness. Such people consistenly defy cultural expectations of certain age benchmarks. But chronological age is a measurement of time lapsed, nothing more, nothing less. Tis not a mutable thing.

 

I've always wondered if, in cultures where elderly are revered for their wisdom, does the younger set use cosmetic techniques to appear older? Do they say things like, "I'm a wise, leathery 30."

 

You know, I don't agree with this b/c there is a difference in how people behave and how it affects all aspects of life.

 

For example, my dh's parents are very young. They were only 37/38 when we got married. But goodness, they acted so old. They were completely inactive, never went out, never laughed or got silly. I always thought of them as so much older than they were. Even now in their mid-60s, they act ancient.

 

Conversely, my parents were 55/56 when we got married. They loved to dance, work in the yard, go for long boat rides, play cards, laugh. They were always on the go and active. Until they both died in their late 70s, they never stopped living. Yes, they were young 70s b/c they didn't sit around doing nothing.

 

I look at it from where we are in our lives now. I'm 42. I absolutely cannot imagine sitting around like I was old. I took the kids to Sam's the other day and as we were pushing out our carts and the woman took the receipt from my 6 yr old, she looked at me and asked, where is their mother?? I laughed and thanked her.

 

Is it boastful to look and act younger than your age? Unless it is the Hollywood version, I think it is more of a reflection of attitude and activity than anything else.

 

It's not denying age in yrs. But it is a real phenomenon that all people in an age group are not equal.

[tibbyl]

Reads to me like we pretty much said same thing.

[Mom to Aly]

You know, I don't agree with this b/c there is a difference in how people behave and how it affects all aspects of life.

 

Is it boastful to look and act younger than your age? Unless it is the Hollywood version, I think it is more of a reflection of attitude and activity than anything else.

 

It's not denying age in yrs. But it is a real phenomenon that all people in an age group are not equal.

 

I agree with this completely. As I said before, when I was heavier and my back was bad, and I've had bad knees since spending 7 months on full bed rest during my pregnancy, I felt between 60 and 80, even though I was 35 to 40. I would groan when I got up, and I swear my body creaked in places. Now, for the first time in years, I am active, and I feel young! Younger than I did ten years ago, when I was still active, but not this much!

 

Age really is a state of mind--and I thank goodness for that. How sad it would be to be confined by our bodies, and thank goodness we have our imaginations and wonderful minds, that can take us so much farther than our physical states can ever reach!!! :D

[KidsHappen]

Honestly, I feel very old. My retired neighbors act younger than I do. I think that I have aged 10-15 years in the last three years. I can't wait until I feel 16 again. I think that I was actually 12 when I felt 16 and I felt about 23 when I was 16. So feeling younder would be a new experience for me. I hope I like it. :)

[sweetTN]

I feel 32. Don't ask me how I came up with that age. I'm actually, well, lets just say my grandson was amazed that I was "half a century old" on my birthday... a few years ago.:001_smile:

[Annie Laurie]

Depending on the day, anywhere from 16-22.

 

Physically, I feel my age. Ugh. But mentally? I'm still a teenager. I still feel like I don't know how to get to know my neighbors, because THEY are adults.

 

It's odd that as I approach 40 (what? who said that?) I am just now slowly, slowly, finally, beginning to feel the confidence of an "adult" in some areas. Funny, isn't it?

 

I know exactly what you mean. I am in my 30s and dh and I both feel young and don't feel like we're '"grown ups" in the way we had always imagined grown ups to be as we were growing up. We pay our bills, make lots of grown up decisions, are responsible parents, (and I had my first young so have had a lot of responsibilty from a young age) and yet, I still feel so young.

[Lisa at Home]

A lot of the time I still feel like a teenager.

 

But, I am going to start lying about my age now and saying that I'm 60.

 

'Aint I a fabulous looking 60 year old, LOL???:D

 

~Lisa

[lynn]

I love being 40. I love my life. I have an amazing husband, great kids. I run, which I never thought I'd ever do. I've learned to cook better and try new recipes, crochet, write in MLA format(LOL), I speak up for myself, I am no longer a door mat for people to trample over. I take some interesting college classes. It really does not bother me being 40. So, I'd say I choose to be 40.

[RebeccaC]

I'm really liking 48. Wish I had the body weight I had at 20 or even 29 and the energy I had at 17 but love the wisdom and self worth I have at 48 and would not trade those for anything. However all that aside, when I think I feel ageless, hope that made sense.

[Jean in Wisc]

If I could slip out of my body for a day, I'd feel more mid thirties :).

 

Unfortunately, many days the old body can make me feel like I'm over 50 (which I am). LOL!

 

But when I play volleyball, I feel young again...until I have to get out of bed the next day.

 

:D

[Jenny in Florida]

I'm 43, but I definitely feel "older." I see other folks who are my age who seem to have a lot more ooomph than I do and look significantly younger.

 

As I've said before, though, it's not the age but the mileage. So, I guess I just have a lot more miles on my than others do.

[tricia]

I'm 47 right now. But I gave birth 12 times and I am NOT doing that again so I will stay the way I am.

 

Tricia

http://www.mommyx12.blogspot.com

[amyable]

Depending on the day, anywhere from 16-22.

 

Physically, I feel my age. Ugh. But mentally? I'm still a teenager. I still feel like I don't know how to get to know my neighbors, because THEY are adults.

 

It's odd that as I approach 40 (what? who said that?) I am just now slowly, slowly, finally, beginning to feel the confidence of an "adult" in some areas. Funny, isn't it?

 

This is me, word for word.

 

Hmmm.. I'm 31, but I feel 22. The other day dh (who's going to be 30 in late October) and I were talking about how it feels like we're playing house instead of really having kids and a house entrusted to us :tongue_smilie:

 

Many times I feel so immature, and undisciplined.. Kids pick up on that. I remember playing with some kids my son's age (then 3) and they would listen to all the adults but me, and the moms telling them that I was ds' mom and "a mom too" and the kids were incredulous. She's a mom? :lol:

 

I swear I'm constantly asking myself -- are kids supposed to be allowed to do that? Is it OK? Sometimes I have to go and ask an adult :lol:

 

I look ten years younger than 31 to most people too :)

 

Me too, except I'm 39, and starting to look it. :lol: I was very often mistaken for someone much younger 10 years ago, though.

 

It's funny - as a child I thought (and was told by adults whom I trusted) that I was wise beyond my years. I *felt* 40 at 9 years old. Now that I'm almost 40, I don't feel much older than the children sitting around my dinner table. :001_huh: Wha happened? :lol:

[Kimber]

I'll be 40 in a month or so, but I feel like I'm 29 to 32. My dh says I look like I'm in my late 20's and early 30's, but I think that's husband language for "I don't want to be in trouble for saying the wrong thing."

 

But I take my vitamins and I love learning and one day I'll be running again. Basically, I love life.

 

Kimber

[Garga]

Age is definitely a state of mind. My parents are in their 50's now and constantly say how old they are. They have completely written themselves off and won't try new things or learn new things. They believe their opinions don't count because they're too "old." I do worry about them. My grandparents all lived into their 80's and 90's. I'm appalled that my parents seem to be content to be "old" for the next 30-40 years of their lives, if they follow the family tradition of living to be very old.

 

Every single time I talk to them, they make comments about how old they are and can't do this and that. So sad.

Edited September 29, 2008 by Garga_

[Garga]

By the way, I'm 35, but someone the other day told me I look like I'm 27! That's the best thing anyone has said to me in a long time! I feel 30. That's the age I gained some wisdom and confidence.

[6packofun]

25 forever, baby!! lol