Oprah's episode on aging

[Tiggeroo]

I don't usually watch oprah and only caught a bit of this. At first I was looking at these lovely women, full of life and felt great. But then Norah Ephron got me terribly depressed and thinking of death and old age. Aack. I'm only 43 and feel like the end is closing in now.

 

[Robinrs]

I worked in an independent living home for seniors and though I think I'M ANCIENT some of the most unbelievable, active, WISE people there had kids older than me!

I admire age... the older I get the wiser I become. Sure it comes with limitations, but they're sometimes based on the choices we make earlier in life. I never see it as an END, but a beginning of taking advantage of what God gave me and making the most of it.

Youth is wasted on the young.... truer words were never spoken!

 

[JunieJay]

I don't usually watch oprah and only caught a bit of this. At first I was looking at these lovely women, full of life and felt great. But then Norah Ephron got me terribly depressed and thinking of death and old age. Aack. I'm only 43 and feel like the end is closing in now.

Why, what did Norah Ephron say? I usually like her........

 

[Micca]

I'll have whatever Robin is smoking J/K Robin, you have a great attitude.

 

[KimR]

UGH - I have a tendency to get very depressed at the thought of aging. There was a perimenopause thread on the CB a week or two ago and let me tell you, it had me I've found I need to just stay away from that kind of thing for my own peace of mind.

It's ironic though, that in reality I am so much happier now than I was in my 20s or even 30s. I look better, feel great, and have more money! Still, I know all good things come to an end and that is what gets to me. I dread wrinkles, sagging skin, losing my figure, losing my energy level, my children growing up and moving away - I think that last is what depresses me more than anything.

 

[Christine]

Why, what did Norah Ephron say? I usually like her........

I missed this episode also, but I think that Nora Ephron has been pretty much "out" with the fact that she is not enjoying the physical aspects of aging. I think her new book is meant to be funny but reviews have said that she is quite down about her face, etc. I haven't read the book either so I really can't say for sure what is up with her.

 

[Robinrs]

I'll have whatever Robin is smoking J/K Robin, you have a great attitude.

LoL, Ron! I got this attitude from my positively positive Daddy who was almost 40 years older than me... whenever we called him old he'd say "BEATS THE ALTERNATIVE!" I LOVED my Dad's attitude on aging. He took it in stride till the day he died at 83. It definitely beats the alternative.

 

[Virgo10]

One thing I hate about aging is long range planning. The other day, after the lunar eclipse, I was looking up solar eclipse dates. I saw one for 2024 and then it dawned on me that I might not be here then or, if I am, I most likely won't be able to travel to an eclipse.

I feel like my window of opportunity is getting smaller and smaller as I approach 60.

 

[clarabelle]

UGH - I have a tendency to get very depressed at the thought of aging. There was a perimenopause thread on the CB a week or two ago and let me tell you, it had me I've found I need to just stay away from that kind of thing for my own peace of mind.

It's ironic though, that in reality I am so much happier now than I was in my 20s or even 30s. I look better, feel great, and have more money! Still, I know all good things come to an end and that is what gets to me. I dread wrinkles, sagging skin, losing my figure, losing my energy level, my children growing up and moving away - I think that last is what depresses me more than anything.

I feel just like you. I am wiser, in better shape and have plenty of money -but I already dread the kids leaving (and sometimes get that "after Christmas feeling" when they pass a mile stone) and I dread growing old (I am 40)
I try not to dwell on it. I think it goes along with my general anxious personality

 

[Tiggeroo]

Norah was trying to be funny but she was totally honest and negative. She talked alot about how horrible she looks ( I thought she looked great), how bad sex is when you are older (contrary to every other panelist). She said she worries alot about death and focuses on it. She would add jokes but they were terrible.

 

[Chattyaholic]

ITA with Robin, it sure does BEAT THE ALTERNATIVE!!

I believe every day I have on this earth is a gift. Some people have more days on this earth than others, but every day we're here is a blessing.

I will be 50 in August, and I'm noticing some wrinkles on my face, sagging skin (other things sagging too ), etc. but I'm still thankful for every single day I'm alive and in relative good health.

 

[JunieJay]

At 43, I've finally reached the point where I don't really give a crap how I look either. I just feel lucky to be alive. Considering both my parents were only a little older than me when they died, I'll be thrilled if I can make it to my 70s or 80s.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I've finally gotten over the need to care about "what not to wear". I wear what I like. If other folks don't like it, too bad. Maybe I don't like what they wear either.
One of the things they were saying on that show yesterday was how much more comfortable they all felt with themselves and who they were. I could really relate to that. I'm 45 now, and I like myself a WHOLE lot better than I did when I was 25. I think it takes hitting a certain age to let yourself off the hook.

 

[JunieJay]

I think it takes hitting a certain age to let yourself off the hook.

Exactly. Its a relief, at least for me.

The other day I went to an indoor pool with my kids. 10 years ago, I'd have been freaking out about how I looked in a bathing suit, how white my legs were in the winter, whether or not I had a pedicure and was shaved everywhere. The other day I could not have cared less. I might have scared the crap out of the patrons at the pool, but honestly, I think I've just become invisible. It dawned on me when I got home how much EASIER it is not to be noticed.

 

[KimR]

One of the things they were saying on that show yesterday was how much more comfortable they all felt with themselves and who they were. I could really relate to that. I'm 45 now, and I like myself a WHOLE lot better than I did when I was 25. I think it takes hitting a certain age to let yourself off the hook.

I'm the same way. I spent my 20s trying to fit in, to be popular and be liked by everyone. Then, in my 30s it was the same thing only I had children so on top of that I felt pressure to be the mom I thought I should be for them. This was back in the 90s during the whole - 'positive thinking - you can be whatever you see yourself being' kind of mentaility. My self-esteem was in the toilet because no matter how I tried, I couldn't measure up to my own standards.

Finally, it dawned on me that there was no way I was going to change and it was useless trying - I was only making myself miserable in the process. I started to accept and even embrace my idiosyncracies. In a weird sort of way I'm almost proud of my shortcomings. Not really the shortcomings themselves but the fact that I freely admit them (to a point), make no apologies, and most of all I've decided to be happy in spite of them. My DD loves quotes and one of her favorites I fully subscribe to: "I'd rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I'm not".

 

[KimR]

Exactly. Its a relief, at least for me.

The other day I went to an indoor pool with my kids. 10 years ago, I'd have been freaking out about how I looked in a bathing suit, how white my legs were in the winter, whether or not I had a pedicure and was shaved everywhere. The other day I could not have cared less. I might have scared the crap out of the patrons at the pool, but honestly, I think I've just become invisible. It dawned on me when I got home how much EASIER it is not to be noticed.

Oh, gosh, despite my previous post, my obsession with my looks has only gotten worse. It's weird because I've never been a beauty queen by any means. I think part of it might have to do with the fact that although I've never been attractive, I'm aging well so the scales are starting to tip in my favor. And I must admit, it's kind of nice.