# What Bothers You About Getting Older? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 21, 1999, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-bothers-you-about-getting-older/12209 "1999-12-21T16:54:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 1999, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-bothers-you-about-getting-older/12209/1 "1999-12-21T16:54:00Z")
. . . If anything? I don’t mind the “looking older” part, I think that’s actually kinda interesting. I don’t mind the “approaching death” part, 'cause quite frankly sometimes it’s not approaching nearly fast enough to suit me. I’m not going to ever get married or have kids, so my biological time clock can ring its head off. But I am kind of ticked-off by– • Mr. Metabolism skidding to a halt. I have to eat half as much and exercise twice as much, just to stay the same clothing size. • I thought my career would be further along by now–working for little girlies half my age is rather demoralizing. Anyone else? ---
**Author:** ![AWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@AWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AWB)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 1999, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-bothers-you-about-getting-older/12209/2 "1999-12-21T16:57:00Z")
## [list][li]A few aches and pains[/li][li]Gray hairs[/li][li]My wife reminding me that I’ll always be older than her.[/li] I looked in the mirror today/My eyes just didn’t seem so bright I’ve lost a few more hairs/I think I’m going bald - Rush ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 1999, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-bothers-you-about-getting-older/12209/3 "1999-12-21T16:58:00Z")
Two words: Ear Hair. ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 1999, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-bothers-you-about-getting-older/12209/4 "1999-12-21T17:02:00Z")
The fact that I don’t have kids yet. The my degenerating health. I don’t worry much about looking old- in fact I got carded just the other night. (Yippie!) Zette * * * Love is like popsicles…you get too much you get too high. Not enough and you’re gonna die… [Click here for some GOOD news for a change](http://www.binghamtonpress.com/binghamtonnews/local/Sanews5.html)[Zettecity](http://www.angelfire.com/ny3/zettecity/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![PurpleCrackwhore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc348/32.png) [@PurpleCrackwhore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PurpleCrackwhore)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 1999, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-bothers-you-about-getting-older/12209/5 "1999-12-21T17:08:00Z")
I don’t mind getting older, but my body sure as hell complains alot about it! Thank the pain gods for Advil. Seriously tho, the wisdom I have aquired with aging far outweighs anything that has affected the body over time. I would never want to return to a different age. * * * I really try to be good but it just isn’t in my nature! ---
**Author:** ![egkelly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/db5fbb/32.png) [@egkelly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/egkelly)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 1999, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-bothers-you-about-getting-older/12209/6 "1999-12-21T17:35:00Z")
I don’t know about you, but I would sure like to be 18 again! Those multiple orgasms…and NO recovery! ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 1999, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-bothers-you-about-getting-older/12209/7 "1999-12-21T17:39:00Z")
Gravity. ---
**Author:** ![pluto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f08c70/32.png) [@pluto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pluto)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 1999, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-bothers-you-about-getting-older/12209/8 "1999-12-22T06:56:00Z")
## The only thing I really mind is people bringing it up. And me feeling like it applies to me. Let’s see. I lathered and I rinsed. But did I repeat? ---
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 1999, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-bothers-you-about-getting-older/12209/9 "1999-12-21T19:04:00Z")
The wrinkles are up there, but then again I have had psuedo wrinkles around my eyes for as long as I can remember. I think it has to do with the fact that I was a competive swimmer from age 5 to 17. Clorine and lots of sun is not good for a fair haired freckled kid. I think the worst thing I am not looking forward to is menopause. I have seen several women in our office go through this transition and damn if it doesn’t seem worse than my worst period. The hot flashes, the increase in emotional outbursts etc…Hopefully in the next 10 to 15 years, they will come up with better solutions to ease the transition. (I’m 31) ---
**Author:** ![okatym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/76d3ee/32.png) [@okatym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/okatym)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 1999, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-bothers-you-about-getting-older/12209/10 "1999-12-21T19:07:00Z")
It’s just not fair that I still get pimples and now I’m getting wrinkles. I mean, really! ---
**Author:** ![PurpleCrackwhore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc348/32.png) [@PurpleCrackwhore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PurpleCrackwhore)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 1999, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-bothers-you-about-getting-older/12209/11 "1999-12-21T19:29:00Z")
Wow egkelly…how old do you have to be to not have multiple orgasms with no recovery time… oh wait… you must be male? * * * I really try to be good but it just isn’t in my nature! ---
**Author:** ![Vestal\_Blue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5e9695/32.png) [@Vestal\_Blue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vestal_Blue)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 1999, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-bothers-you-about-getting-older/12209/12 "1999-12-21T19:53:00Z")
The sand running out of my personal hourglass, and the extra tonnage. Other than that, nothing! I’d like to put my experience and perspective back into my 25 year old body, and maintain! Oh, and PCW, guys have multiples too, they’re just very rare, and usually more of an echo than a true one. Wanna start another thread? BTW, my recovery time is about 5 minutes. 😉 * * * VB “Hey! How 'bout that Toe Jam?” ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 1999, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-bothers-you-about-getting-older/12209/13 "1999-12-21T20:08:00Z")
I think it’s the loss of my metabolism. I don’t have the energy, time or patience to work out like I did from 18-27/28/29…when in the hell did I stop working out? The only workouts I really like are swimming, walking and bike riding. Dear God, I’m an old lady before my time. What’s next, wearing purple? I don’t have any wrinkles. But I do resent the dimples that have made deposits in places that frankly dimples shouldn’t be. I have no gray hair. I actually like getting older. More people listen to me. Or maybe I am getting more ballsy. I’m definately funnier than I was ten-twelve years ago. (or maybe people are getting stupider or in a rut and cannot color outside the lines.) What depressed me about aging, especially being a domestic tyrant, is that most women in my situation seem to think that the only alternatives to outlets to the real world are craft shows and craft projects ( and perpetual shopping) ( I have no problem with women who actually have talent and skill with stuff like this, but so few do.) Frankly, I’d rather dry shave my legs twice a day than ever cave into that mentality. ---
**Author:** ![OldBroad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ed655f/32.png) [@OldBroad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldBroad)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 1999, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-bothers-you-about-getting-older/12209/14 "1999-12-21T20:37:00Z")
Yep, the metabolism thing. Not as much energy. Second the motion on gravity. Time running out. I certainly don’t mind aging in general, my physical health is good & would be better if I exercised. I began getting grey hair before I was twenty. I don’t fear death. BUT…there are still lots of things I still want to do. My mental trick is to remind miself of how old my granddaughter will be when I am my mother’s age. Picturing my 3 year old grandbaby as a 33 year old woman helps put things in perspective. There’s a certain freedom that comes with age. I’m no longer striving. I no longer want to be a corporate VIP. I don’t have to pretend to conform as much in the business world. And I know what I want to be when (if) I grow up: an eccentric old lady. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 1999, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-bothers-you-about-getting-older/12209/15 "1999-12-21T20:41:00Z")
Wisdom. It was WAY easier to be a pompous ass who didn’t know anything important. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![eden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5f9b8f/32.png) [@eden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eden)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 1999, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-bothers-you-about-getting-older/12209/16 "1999-12-21T21:17:00Z")
I am bothered by other people’s comments on my age as it relates to my marital status and childlessness. As though that was anyone else’s business! I can only hope that as I age further, I will develop the hide I need to absorb said obnoxious comments. And I add my tally mark in the metabolism and career areas…it is really demoralizing to explain things to one’s twenty-something boss. _sigh_ PS. Eve, you have been published, not once, but three times! And your books look interesting, well-written, and have gotten good reviews…you must be very ambitious to wish for more. I think that is fabulous success for one so young. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 1999, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-bothers-you-about-getting-older/12209/17 "1999-12-21T22:02:00Z")
Thanks, Eden (ah! a conversation between Eve and Eden!), I really am thrilled to the white meat about my books. I meant my pay-the-rent career as a magazine editor. I’m still mid-level, working for women half my age, and I see the young chickies coming up behind me, willing to work for less money and grabbing the jobs with promotability while I sit here just getting older on my little job plateau. As far as marriage goes–as my wise old Aunt Ida once said, “it’s better to be alone than to wish you were.” ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 1999, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-bothers-you-about-getting-older/12209/18 "1999-12-21T22:03:00Z")
I’m not too worried about my looks yet, I’m 30 but can pass for 8, maybe 10 years younger. I really FEEL old though. I’m tired a lot and the weight thing bothers me (I’m not fat but I could become that way very quickly). I also wish I were married by now. I always felt that two people should be able to go through life together, grow old together. I feel like I am missing out on that whole experience, and getting married later in life just doesn’t seem the same. I _want_ to struggle throuh life with someone! Still, the way things look right now, I may never get married. ::sigh:: I don’t want kids and my biological clock isn’t ticking. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 1999, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-bothers-you-about-getting-older/12209/19 "1999-12-21T22:06:00Z")
I’ll fifth the metabolism comments. Hair sprouting from places it shouldn’t. My naturally blonde hair that isn’t naturally blonde anymore. My youthful idealism. And there didn’t used to be so many funerals! ---
**Author:** ![J\_String](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce73a5/32.png) [@J\_String](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J_String)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 1999, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-bothers-you-about-getting-older/12209/20 "1999-12-21T22:16:00Z")
Putting on weight (slowing metabolism) Ear and nose hair Losing hair elsewhere Permanent bags under the eyes People asking why I’m not married yet * * * It’s a long way to heaven, but only three short steps to hell. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-bothers-you-about-getting-older/12209.md?page=2)