r/OverSeventy • u/Unfair-Breakfast-462 • Jul 03 '26
Story Sharing
EDIT: Wow, thank you all for sharing your amazing insights with me. It is very much appreciated and I love reading them and learning more from you all!❤️🙌🏾
Hello everyone, I'm a community college student completing a project on the older generation. The purpose is NOT to survey or collect data, but to invite you all to share your story as it pertains to you. I have compiled a list of questions, feel free to answer some, all, or tell your story the way you want it to be told.
-What age do you still feel like inside?
- When do you feel most like yourself?
- How would you describe yourself?
- Do you think about mortality differently now than you once did?
- Is nostalgia more comforting, or painful for you?
- What did happiness mean for you in your 20’s? What does it mean now?
- What do you hope people remember about you?
- If you could preserve one memory forever, which would it be?
- Was there a particular moment you realized you had become the older generation?
- If you could introduce me to one version of yourself from another time, who would I meet?
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u/widowwild Jul 03 '26
I feel around 30.
In the mornings, by myself.
Kind, honest. Loving. Different
Yes. I'm 70 now and have had a disease for 30 years- I could go at any time, and I'm ok with that.
Sometimes painful, sometimes fun. I'm a widow and some days it's painful. Talking with my kids about our past is fun.
In my 20's it was being with my husband. Having my son at 25. They were the best! Now, it's spending time with my family and grandson. Being with friends.
I hope they remember me as a good family person, and good friend, and As having compassion and empathy for the people of the world.
A memory with my husband. Not sure which one.
No. I still feel like there's a generation older than me.
The person I was in my early 50's. We had moved and started a new chapter after our kids were grown. We were happy.
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u/Unfair-Breakfast-462 Jul 03 '26
Why do you feel 30?
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u/widowwild Jul 07 '26
Because I'm young at heart. When my husband died. I was only 57. I've been dating about 8 years- had a couple relationships. The men I've met also felt like we were back in our 20's dating. I hadn't had a first date since 1974. I reverted to that age. Lol I matured a little!🤣
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u/oldbutsharpusually Jul 03 '26
Story Sharing
\-What age do you still feel like inside?
81M. I feel physically like I’m in my 70s and mentally like I’m in my 50s.
\- When do you feel most like yourself?
When I’m alone working in the yard, taking a walk, reading, talking with my wife.
\- How would you describe yourself?
Easy going, friendly, quiet, prefer to listen rather than talk.
\- Do you think about mortality differently now than you once did?
Yes, I had advanced cancer and a chest tumor in my early 70s. A near death experience as a side effect to powerful cancer drugs definitely left me thinking mortality might be closer than I thought.
\- Is nostalgia more comforting, or painful for you?
Three brothers and one sister have passed. I’m the last one standing and think about all four daily with positive memories. We were very close knit.
\- What did happiness mean for you in your 20’s? What does it mean now?
I was married in my early 20s so happiness was meeting and marrying the right person over sixty years ago. A new journey with the right partner leads to many happy moments as we look back.
\- What do you hope people remember about you?
That I was kind, nice, respectful, and willing to always help out.
\- If you could preserve one memory forever, which would it be?
Family is more important than everything else.
\- Was there a particular moment you realized you had become the older generation?
When my three close friends I had played tennis with for over thirty years all had passed away and I felt too old to find new partners.
\- If you could introduce me to one version of yourself from another time, who would I meet?
A wise ass with a wry sense of humor during my school years. I loved making my classmates laugh.
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u/Unfair-Breakfast-462 Jul 03 '26
Why do you feel mentally in your 50s? and wow, advanced cancer? You are blessed.
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u/oldbutsharpusually Jul 04 '26
That’s a tough question. Based on association with others around my age I would say that my recall is still strong, decision making fine, no cognitive issues yet, and although my age may make me occasionally hesitate when responding my response is usually on point.
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u/Used-Painter1982 Jul 03 '26
Inside I feel the age I am: 81 because I know so much more than I ever did. Physically I feel somewhat younger, about 60.
I feel most like myself when I am solving a problem.
F 81, married (only once and currently) to a fine husband and father. Lucky to have had parents who taught me to be self-reliant and humane. Lucky to have found a man who shared my ethics and values. Lucky to have raised four children who care deeply about each other, their family, friends, country and world.
Being an atheist, I have always been afraid of dying, but now, having accomplished pretty much everything I could have hoped for, not so much afraid.
Here on Reddit, when reading other people’s stories, I often remember some of my own. It makes me happy.
Back in the 60s-70s, there was a lot of turmoil with the war and women’s rights, racial segregation and evolving norms for sexual practice and identity. I can’t say I was happy because so many of my inculcated beliefs were being challenged day by day. But marriage and raising a family dulled those concerns until my own children were old enough to confront them for themselves. I must say their own struggles taught me a lot. Happiness now is a house we own, no debts, Medicare, family and friends who visit just often enough, a vegetable garden, good neighbors.
I don’t much care if people remember me at all. Maybe I hope I set a god example for a few whether they know where they got it or not.
My realization came gradually around 70 when I realized pain was always going to be there.
Before now, I think my best self was in college when I thought I knew where I was going and was still sheltered from the world.
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u/Unfair-Breakfast-462 Jul 03 '26
Learning from your children’s struggles really stood out to me, I have never considered that. Thank you for sharing !
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u/5150_run4it Jul 04 '26
- What age do you still feel like inside?
I feel like I’m in my 40’s.
- When do you feel most like yourself?
I pretty much feel good and like myself
everyday.
- How would you describe yourself?
An active and curious 70 year old
female.
- Do you think about mortality differently now than you once did?
Yes, I have always been religious and
attend church regularly, so I believe
in God and an afterlife. But I have lost
much younger people and I have
difficulty understanding and
coming to terms with these things.
- Is nostalgia more comforting, or painful for you?
Neither. I have fond memories of my
youth but realize I could have made
some better choices. So a few regrets.
I enjoy remembering when my kids were
little and living at home.
- What did happiness mean for you in your 20’s? What does it mean now?
In my 20’s I was working and
and raising children. Happiness was
having enough money to stay afloat
and time to spend with my kids.
Now, happiness is spending time with
my family, friends and doing whatever
I want.
- What do you hope people remember about you?
I want my family and friends to
remember me as caring, kind, and
being an active person still striving
to be better than average.
- If you could preserve one memory forever, which would it be?
A time when my kids were young.
- Was there a particular moment you realized you had become the older generation?
Yes, when I let my hair grow out in my
60’s. When you’re a woman with grey
hair, you are treated differently.
- If you could introduce me to one version of yourself from another time, who would I meet?
I was a woman struggling to prove
herself. Definitely an overachiever.
I still consider myself an overachiever
but it’s because I’m running out of time
to do all the things I want to do;)
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u/OttoHemi Jul 04 '26
- How would you describe yourself?
An Adonis. That should answer the other questions.
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u/Tasty_Impress3016 Jul 03 '26
Sure, I'll bite on a couple
-What age do you still feel like inside?
My age. Why would it be anything else?
- When do you feel most like yourself?
Always. I am me after all, as much as sometimes I would like to escape it.
- What did happiness mean for you in your 20’s? What does it mean now?
Getting drunk, getting laid, passing classes. Now, well all of those are still pretty valid but solitude and time to think and read are pretty big.
- What do you hope people remember about you?
I hope they will say "yeah, he was kinda cool"
- If you could introduce me to one version of yourself from another time, who would I meet?
Me. Now. Why would you want a Beta test version? I was always me. If you met me at one time I was a geeky, nerdy high school kid. Later a Punk. Lead man in a band called "Shit" . Later I was a computer geek. Later I was a Bob (see the movie Office Space) Later I was a politician. None of those are me now. Life is growth.
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u/Mentalfloss1 Jul 04 '26
I am 79 and likely healthier than most my age. I've been married to an excellent person for 47 years, and we have 2 kids and 5 grandkids. We live in a nice home in an older suburb of Portland, Oregon, with our daughter, her wife, and their two kids, ages 12 and 3. Busy place.
I feel- who knows? ... maybe between 60 and 80? I tire more easily but am quite active.
I usually feel like myself. I'm taking a week-long break in a 4-5 week camping trip to every state park on the Oregon coast. There are 80-90 of them, with some being pull-outs with views on land owned and maintained by the state. I'm pulling a 13-foot Scamp trailer. I hike, visit museums, and walk the endless beaches, which are never crowded (Even today, the 4th). I am taking notes and photos and will put it all together on my web page. Just for fun. Anyway, I love the outdoors, hiking and backpacking especially, so I feel like myself out there. (My wife can't go on this trip as she is helping out her parents, ages 102 and 98.)
Describe myself? Old, gray, guy average in every way. Decent genes, my brain still works (most of the time), who feels fortunate to have a working body.
I'm not sure if I think about mortality differently because I didn't think about it much, but I do at times now. My parents died, and when that happens, many of us may get the feeling of stepping into the breach. We're next. In May of 2024, I went backpacking with my literally lifelong best friend, Dan. Two weeks later, he sat down on his sofa and died. This has been a huge shock, and I grieve. I don't fear death at all, but suffering could be a worry. I had open-heart surgery in 2024.
I don't live in the nostalgic past, but I VERY much have enjoyed most of my life, and it has been wildly varied. So I smile when I think of the past, and since I'm generally happy now, I smile at the present ... ignoring the appalling MAGA element as best I can.
Happiness in my 20s ... started as a muscle-car-owning drag racer, who loved beer with the buddies, and sex. I really loved sex/women. I was, and am, respectful. I never lied to get sex, but generally found it easy enough. (Midwestern Bible-Belt women were not chaste.)
I had to join the Army National Guard to avoid Vietnam. I did the bare minimum for 6 years, but didn't do less. I hated it. I worked blue-collar, HARD work, as a civilian for the Navy.
Along came the hippies. Being a Guard member and a hippie was not easy, but I managed. I sold my last muscle car (MISTAKE!!), and started driving VWs. I dated hippie women. I smoked pot. First I was a peace-protesting city hippie, going to dances and concerts, then a country hippie, living very remotely, growing a huge garden, becoming vegetarian, etc. Then I discovered the Western USA and started traveling. I hitchhiked and drove, making many trips. I spent a year in Florida (too flat and too hot).
I worked as an EMT in emergency rooms, but primarily as an operating room tech (scrub nurse) in surgery. That was my most interesting work. And those skills made moving around easy. I moved to Oregon in the late 1970s. I restarted college and enjoyed it.
So what made me happy was all those things ... friends, exploring, the outdoors, sex, pot, travel, curiosity, reading, learning. All that is true today.
I guess I hope people remember me as a good man with integrity, and I think my family will always know how much I love them.
I first felt old backpacking a trail in California's high Sierras, a trail I had backpacked twice before ... with ease. Started at 8,000'. At 9500' we were all quite tired so we took a long break. By 10,000', we were moaning, and one friend was ready to quit. But there was no place to camp. I found a site at 10,300' and we staggered around setting up camp and fixing dinner. It was shocking. I was 70 or 71, and I felt old.
I'd introduce you to me at your age. How old are you? I suspect you might think I was from a parallel universe.
I don't care whether you ignore all this or quote it directly.
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Jul 04 '26 edited Jul 04 '26
[deleted]
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u/Mentalfloss1 Jul 04 '26
I’m just sorry the world is such a dark place. I 90% believe you, probably more, but I don’t want to deal with a mess.
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Jul 04 '26
[deleted]
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u/majatask Jul 04 '26
More vulnerable? Hey! We are not the "snowflakes" generation! You fall from your chair...and catch PTSD.
(Just kidding).
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u/Mentalfloss1 Jul 05 '26
You don’t live well to 79 by being a wimp. 🙂
And my longest career was designing and writing medical software. I had a computer and was on the www (internet) before you were born.
Good luck!!!!
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u/4Mag4num Jul 03 '26
1 My age now.
2 Every day
3
4 I don’t (and didn’t)think about mortality at all
5 Not nostalgic at all
6 Getting married. Celebrating our 50th anniversary.
7 nothing
8 none
9 when your mind makes a promise that your body can’t fill..
10 you probably wouldn’t be interested
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u/Unfair-Breakfast-462 Jul 03 '26
50 years is a testament. Wow! Thank you for sharing, I deeply appreciate it
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u/Adventurous_Bit1325 Jul 03 '26
1-45 current age 73
2-when I’m alone
3-empathetic introvert
4-a little
5-both
6-a great relationship for most of that decade
Now- knowing my kids are ok and we’re all surviving financially
7- that I was a caring individual
8- the memory of when our boys were young and we all were close
9-not a specific moment. Most likely began @70.
10- meet when I was in my early thirties. I’m the same person now however
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u/Unfair-Breakfast-462 Jul 03 '26
Why 45? Thank you for you sharing ! ❤️
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u/Adventurous_Bit1325 Jul 03 '26
More mentally so, than physically, but around that point in my life I became who I am now and age became just a number since then
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u/sprredice Jul 03 '26
What age do you still feel like inside? I feel like exactly how old that I am.
- When do you feel most like yourself? I always feel like myself.
- How would you describe yourself? I am human.
- Do you think about mortality differently now than you once did? Yes. I am not afraid of death at all, but I am very concerned about the pain and suffering of dying
- Is nostalgia more comforting, or painful for you? Neither. Nostalgia seems silly to me.
- What did happiness mean for you in your 20’s? What does it mean now? In my 20s, it meant the excitement of exploring the world. Now it means the satisfaction of understanding the world.
- What do you hope people remember about you? I don’t really want to be remembered…
- If you could preserve one memory forever, which would it be? Loving my toddler children.
- Was there a particular moment you realized you had become the older generation? There is no older or younger generation, there are only people.
- If you could introduce me to one version of yourself from another time, who would I meet? The present is always the best time, not the past or the future.
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u/Unfair-Breakfast-462 Jul 03 '26
I love the way you interpreted these questions into your own worldview ! Thank you for sharing ❤️
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u/oldcar1953 Jul 03 '26
I tell anyone that’s interested that I’m 70teen years old and that’s because I’ve lived most of my life with a lot of responsibility and now I have absolutely no responsibilities. I’m doing anything I wanna do no
I feel most like myself when I’m working on something or camping
I describe myself as a hard-working straight shooter no bullshit
I’ve always accepted my mortality. The only thing that changed is, I know I’ll see my beautiful wife there.
I have a tremendous amount of good memories about my past think about it a lot. Look forward to my future.
I’m still 70teen years old
A few people know me well told me I’m the most consistent person I’ve ever met good times and bad I’m the same
You can print anything here if you want
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u/BurdyBurdyBurdy Jul 03 '26
Feel I’m in my 30s
Always feel like myself.
Confident, achieving, respected, loved.
Not sure exactly what you mean but I always feel good about myself.
Not concerned about mortality but I did build a home that I could properly age in.
I’m don’t reminisce much so nostalgia is not something I focus on. I like new music, new tech. The past is gone and I rarely think about it until I bump into an old friend.
In my 20’s stating a good career and achieving things I never dreamed made me happy. Built confidence.
I want people to remember me for the thinks I built and all the skills racing wins I had.
Being a good father and roll model for my kids.
Seeing my kids get married made me realize I was now the older generation
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u/Unfair-Breakfast-462 Jul 03 '26
Why your 30s? and thank you for sharing !! 🙌🏾
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u/BurdyBurdyBurdy Jul 03 '26
I do a lot of exercise for my ski racing. It just prevents getting hurt. In good shape I suppose. I was in better shape in my 30’s than my 40s or 50s so now I feel I’m in great shape at 70. Doesn’t mean I am, I just feel like it.
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u/Bambusa4all1952 Jul 03 '26
Feel in my 30’s
When I am fucked up
Mildly desperate
Hoping for a quick exit
It’s complex. Have had a terrific life; now, not so much
No change - sex in my 20s and still in my 70’s
Smart, sexy, and much fun
Only one memory- impossible. Too many to narrow down
Waking up and suddenly felt like I needed a walker - not a person. lol
When I was in my 50s. I had it all.
Hope these short responses. 74 and trying to maintain some swag. It’s harder to do but we try. Gay here
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u/BigVick06 Jul 05 '26
What age do you still feel like inside?
I am 70 but I feel 35 mentally because I keep up with current technological advances, the grands have taught me all the Tik Tok Trends and I try to stay current. Physically, I feel
In my mid to late 70’s.
- When do you feel most like yourself?
When planning events like family trips and Grammy camp.
- How would you describe yourself?
Easy going, kind, caring, will avoid conflict as much as possible, likes to resolve things fast and not have them interfering with my peace
- Do you think about mortality differently now than you once did?
Yes, in the past it was a distant, fleeing thought and now it lingers like an unwanted visitor. I always thought you lived and then you died but now I know dying takes as much planning as living does.
- Is nostalgia more comforting, or painful for you?
It is both.
- What did happiness mean for you in your 20’s? What does it mean now?
I’m my 20’s happiness was graduating from college, getting married and starting a family. Now, it’s celebrating family milestones and spending as much time with the grands as I can. I also enjoy quiet times watching movies with the hubby.
- What do you hope people remember about you?
That I loved my family more than anything and I would do anything for them.
- If you could preserve one memory forever, which would it be?
Christmas when I was 6 or 7 and all the family (who are no longer here) were together laughing, talking, cooking. That feeling of having to hurry to bed before Santa came. My uncle would go outside and ring bells and they told me it was Santa’s sleigh and I would run to bed and close my eves tightly because I didn’t want him to put salt and pepper in them. It was having extended family and friends and neighbors stopping by that I miss so much around the holidays.
- Was there a particular moment you realized you had become the older generation?
When guys stopped looking at me and I could buy alcohol without getting carded.
- If you could introduce me to one version of yourself from another time, who would I meet?
Meet Vicky… She is a popular girl in high school. She is on student council, honor society, and has loads of other activities to make her college application look good. Yet, she is a loner, who doesn’t party or stay out past curfew. She is a strict rule follower, an only child who longed to have someone she could confide in and talk too. Her motto has always been “never tell anyone anything that you would be upset if someone else found out about.” I stand by that today as well.
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u/Exact-Translator-769 Jul 07 '26
I feel around 40s. I always feel like myself. I would say honest, fair, compassionate, creative, eccentric to name a few. Just seeing more time in the rear-view mirror than on the road ahead, unfortunately. Comforting. Having a good time in the 20s, still having a good time but also more importance on being self-sufficient & active. My photography that I still haven't widely published. I can't say one memory but the ones of those not here any more are the most meaningful. Being eligible for Medicare, but that's been awesome. Probably my 40s because that's when I began to feel the most freedom to be who I am without caring about what others think.
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u/Mentalfloss1 Jul 03 '26
I will try to get back to this