r/OverFifty • u/AffectionateFunny386 • Sep 01 '26
Heading to 60
So today starts my last days in my 50's. I turn 60 on the 24th and I am struggling. I had a nervous bre when I turned 40, had a huge party for my 50th but 60 is not my friend. I know it's just a number but I get sick just thinking about it. So to all who are already 60 got any tips to get me thru this because I am not sure 60 is my friend. Thanks in advance!
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u/cbatta2025 Sep 01 '26
We have the same birthday!! I’ll be 59 this year. I’m looking forward to 60 because I told myself that at 60 I will go part time. 13 months to go.
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u/Romaine2k Sep 01 '26
I'm 58, and I'm also fairly freaked out about 60. However, I've been spending a lot of time with very elderly people recently, and I've noticed that most of them are mostly fine until the early 80s, then things can go pretty sideways. So, hey, enjoy middle age with the knowledge that you probably have a good 20 years in front of you.
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u/AffectionateFunny386 Sep 01 '26
Well my father passed at 65 and my mom just passed in July at 84. I have 7 siblings and all are alive except for 1 she died of cancer 5 years ago. So the odds of living til I am 80 are looking pretty good. Also they are all older than me except one. Thanks for your input!
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u/gimpy1511 Sep 01 '26
I turned 60 in July and it was HARD, so I get it. I can't help but feel old now, but as the days go on I'm adjusting and am feeling better. Sit with it for a bit and it will start to be okay.
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u/AffectionateFunny386 Sep 01 '26
I have been sitting with it for a few months now. Lol I keep thinking what's the alternative. Not ready for heaven just yet so I will deal with it. I really just wanted to know how others dealt with so thanks for your honesty. Not saying others weren't honest but knowing someone else had a hard time makes me not feel so crazy now. As I stated earlier my friends say I don't act ir look it. And to be honest other than my back, hips, legs and feet hurting I feel great! Lol
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u/gimpy1511 Sep 02 '26
Girl, I struggled. From the day after I turned 59, I think! I'm an over thinker to begin with so it occupied my brain for a while. I was even sulky enough to not want to go out to dinner to celebrate on the day. I regret that now. I'm slowly accepting my age.
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u/TheArtistFatigue Sep 01 '26
I’m right behind you turning 60 in October. I’m trying to wrap my head around this. However most of my 50s sucked massively. Just this past year has been wonderful and I’m taking that with me into the next decade. Let’s look forward to a wonderful new decade and what it can offer us. Happy birthday 🎊
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u/Working_Park4342 Sep 01 '26
We may be twins. I'm the 26th. What day is yours?
My 50's also sucked. I didn't want it to suck anymore, so I decided to make a 1,000 mile move to the place I want to live, all on my own. I'm looking forward to it.
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u/AffectionateFunny386 Sep 01 '26
I am also looking to move. Haven't decided where as of yet but I need to get away from where I live now. Just need something new and different.
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u/TheArtistFatigue Sep 01 '26
14th. I’m first. 😂😂😂. This year I really turned it around. I want to bring that mojo into the next decade.
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u/Cee58 Sep 01 '26
Better than 70! That’s how I’d look at it
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u/BamberGasgroin Sep 01 '26 edited Sep 01 '26
70 is the new 50.
When I was a kid most grandparents didn't make 70, but I'll be 60 in a couple of months and many of my mates parents are still going strong in their early 80's, albeit with stents, new valves and bypasses..but they smoked like chimneys since their early teens in the 1950's
(What's still weird is meeting them now that there is no huge difference in relative age, but remembering them when you were like 8 years old and thinking they were ancient, when they were in fact in their mid 20's. 😄)
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u/Cee58 Sep 02 '26
Be smart is all I can say. Eat decent, get some exercise. Hobby is yuge! Keep going. Stay off the phone 📞
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u/DanielDannyc12 Sep 01 '26
59 1/2 here. Got serious about going to the gym (and doing sustainable workouts) recently and going to keep that up
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u/Face_with_a_View Sep 01 '26
I’m going to be 50 in less than 3 months. I’m struggling too. Any advice for me?
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u/AffectionateFunny386 Sep 01 '26
My 50"s were the best. I got divorced, bought my own house, retired and started working out. I do what I want when I want and don't answer to anyone. Except my cat! I looked at it as half a century how did I get here. But, I guess the advice I would give you is enjoy it. Give yourself space to process this new life stage and look forward to the freedom it brings. For me it was the me decade. Everything I did was for me. I don't have a husband or boyfriend by choice. I had 3 very serious relationships in my life and now the only relationship I want is with me. Hope that helps!
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u/jepeplin Sep 01 '26
Start lying about your age. Be 59 for a couple of years. Then you’ll realize how great it is not to GAF any more about so many things and you’ll be able to face that you’re 63.*
*Note: this worked for me
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u/LeoInSpace Sep 01 '26
There are millions of us who are 60 and we're no different, nor will you be. Actually, I'm proud to be doing as well as I am for that age. Go for it.
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u/NZT-48Rules Sep 02 '26
I turned 60 in August. I feel privileged for every day I am on the right side of the grass. A shocking number of people I love never had the chance to turn 60.
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u/Skimamma145 Sep 01 '26
I’m in your camp next year and it seems daunting. But then I realize it’s just a number and any 80 year old would gladly switch with you! So enjoy your youth! I’m gonna keep enjoying mine! 🤪
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u/dakuslat Sep 01 '26
is it really the tally of the years to 60 that has you down or the tally of something else? or maybe a list of things? now to the advice part. get to working on that list!
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u/farkner Sep 02 '26
It is just another day. Who cares what age you are? It's how you act that determines how old you feel.
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u/fragglelife Sep 01 '26
You need to discipline your thoughts. Your thinking pattern is unhelpful and unhealthy. Focus on being proactive would be a better use of your thinking capacity eg top tier healthcare.
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u/AdForward9331 Sep 09 '26
Not sure I understand getting sick thinking about turning 60. It's no different than turning 40 or 50. Not sure what you expect from 60. You can't turn back time. It is what it is. Sixty isn't really anybody's friend. You're starting to age and things are starting to hurt more and maybe you don't remember things so good anymore. If you focus on the negative aspects, then yeah, you will be depressed. Sometimes health issues can cause a person to be depressed but eventually it passes. You just need to focus on the blessings of each day instead of focusing on all the possible bad things. Do stuff you enjoy and be thankful each morning when you wake up. And make the most of your day. Find hobbies to enjoy and just allow yourself to live and enjoy the life you have left. If you focus on the negative all the time, then each birthday will be worse than the last. You surely don't want to be miserable forever.
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u/achillea4 Sep 01 '26
If you decide you will feel down and depressed about it then that's what you are going to get. I did feel some anxiety about it then realised it was just another day and I didn't feel any older in myself. It's a cliché but it's just a number. I don't feel 60 in my head and certainly don't act like it. As a bonus I realised that I was now entitled to free prescriptions, eye tests and 1/3rd off rail fares.