# Old and the mid-life-crisis **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 2, 2013, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-and-the-mid-life-crisis/645797 "2013-01-02T03:05:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-and-the-mid-life-crisis/645797/21 "2013-01-03T03:19:54Z")
> [@ReticulatingSplines](#): > > Yeah, but let’s be realistic here. You can keep doing all the shit you used to enjoy doing, but now you’re judged differently from when you were young. You’re 50 and still playing video games, for example? I personally think that’s fine but most of America will think you’re a loser. That’s what makes aging a bitch, not that you are functionally unable to do shit anymore. And if you are one of those rare birds who can truly do what you want no matter what anyone thinks, my hat’s off to you. That seems to be his biggest argument … at least one that I understand. He’s focusing on what other people think of him. He is loathe to be one of those “old” people trying to act young and coming across as being a parody of themselves. > [@Chefguy](#): > > Sounds like this guy needs to read up on ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) and get himself moving forward instead of feeling sorry for himself. Old at 39? What a stupid notion. I agree and I’m trying not to be judgemental. For him, this is a real problem. I’m 53 and damn proud of it so I struggle with someone who freaks out at becoming 40. > [@SerafinaPekala](#): > > Is he gay? > > This is not a judgment, its a theory verified by some gay friends. Gay men seem to think they have a shorter shelf life than most. OTOH they know a lot about looking/acting/being younger than they look too. Actually, yes he is gay. To complicate matters further, his boyfriend is only 27 so he also fears being that old creepy gay guy that looks like he’s preying on younger men. ---
**Author:** ![SerafinaPekala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@SerafinaPekala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SerafinaPekala)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-and-the-mid-life-crisis/645797/22 "2013-01-03T04:20:21Z")
> [@Pai325](#): > > He is middle-aged, but he has the choice to be the kind of middle-aged person he wants. There is a certain freedom about getting older, and he should enjoy that. Yep. He doesnt _have_ to be “that creepy old gay guy”. There are distinguished, seemingly happy, perfectly groomed middle aged gay guys too! Usually in stable relationships with men their own age it seems. I hope he can come to terms with it. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-and-the-mid-life-crisis/645797/23 "2013-01-03T04:43:01Z")
Never thought about this before. I used to wear t shirts. Like…ALL the time. First marriage ended. One of the things I did is throw out 90% of the t shirts. Headed off to Goodwill Store. Found about 12 golf shirts I liked. My thinking was " time to dress like an adult. " I fell in love with someone who wears golf shirts year round.😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-and-the-mid-life-crisis/645797.md?page=1)