Dos, I don’t want to view myself in terms of life expectancy or so much percent used up. My self perception or attitude or state (I dont know what the phrase is) is about mid 40s. I don’t feel the need to stick by what the clock says. I’m no paragon, but enjoy aspects of the outside matching what I feel inside. That really is about suiting myself.
If I were one of those gals who look fabulous in bright silver hair, I might go for it. I’m not anxiously awaiting grandkids, either.
This fall a friend and I will take a semi random drive through northern Cal and down Rt1. Much like we would have in our late 20s or early 30s. No need for fancy hotels or earned comforts, but that feeling of freedom and some whimsy. Suits me.
My city is quite affluent and I see lots of Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Range rovers, Lexus, Audi. Tesla is pretty common too and of course lots of Prius drivers. My freeway off ramp is where all the dealerships are and my gym is down the street so I drive by the dealers multiple times a day. Lots of people of all ages driving expensive cars. I don’t notice a trend by age group. Not as many Subaru but I think that’s due to not having a dealership nearby.
I’ve been thinking about this concept since I first read this thread. I don’t feel old and nor do I think of my friends who are in their 60’s old. I actually feel like it is one of the best times in my life. I’ve reached a stage where I have both the time and money to do the things I want. I am so much more comfortable in my skin and at times I feel like I’ve just become a grown up. I started wearing makeup about 4 years ago. I wonder why all the years I resisted as I think it makes my complexion look better. The biggest change that I think has helped my feel young is that I let go of feeling responsible for everyone else’s happiness. Realizing it wasn’t my job to make my siblings get along. Importantly the concept that I deserve to be happy even if my children or family members are not. Once I let go of carrying everyone’s baggage I felt years younger.
For boring hum drum COMMUTING, sure, but I can’t imagine anyone “feeling young” driving around a Prius and Tesla :)), which is what this thread is about. Go to your local monthly PCA (Porsche Club of America) “DE” (drivers ed aka track event) or autocross and you’ll see the young techies and the ”not so young” feeling VERY youthful pushing their cars to the limit.
“Porsche, there is no substitute.” (Tom Cruise in the movie Risky Business “feeling youthful”)
I drive a Subaru and I love it. I have shoulder length gray hair and I’m not about to color it. I stopped thinking about whether I seem young a long time ago. I do exactly what I want to do and I don’t think about other people’s perceptions. I don’t know, is that young or old, or maybe it doesn’t matter. I figure I’ll keep on keepin’ on until I don’t or can’t anymore and the only people who will notice or care are the ones that matter.
What would make me feel “young” again would be able to see clearly up close without freaking reading glasses!!! I have a 27" computer monitor positioned about as far away as possible to be able to read without them … and even it ain’t cutting it anymore. It’s the worst thing about getting old so far.
Cute tops, painted toes and an anklet, almost-grown-out natural hair color (silver gray and I love it), recently-learned makeup tricks, music of all kinds, hiking, digging in my yard. I’m not sure if these things make me feel young, or just make me happy and momentarily forget my age.
Assuming most of us are women, there IS something ‘young feeling’ in hearing how so many buck the old notions of age. And it’s coming across as simple empowerment, not desperation. It’s not often expressed. My thanks. To all, a big, “You go, girl!”
But on the subject of cars, it doesn’t need to be a status symbol, to me.
Ugh, I agree. I wear glasses for distance. If I have them on, I can read OK. But if I wear my contact lenses, I can’t. I’ve tried reading glasses but they’re so annoying.
It’s funny but to me some cars say old esp. the ones that are so obviously based on prestige. I used to have a Lexus and I felt it was very staid ( and I felt old). I wish Saab still made cars. I really liked my old SAABs. Gave the last one up when kiddo #1 was born. Nothing like pulling up to some really cool car and seeing an old geyser. All I can think of is, maybe h/she always wanted a fancy car and now they can finally afford it. Porsche to me screams 1980’s. BMW ,1990s and the .com Boom. But hey.
I saw someone at the dump in a Rolls Royce last week. (My town is well heeled LOL ). I did laugh. The guy opened his trunk and took out his trash just like everyone else. Where we live most take their trash to the dump. It’s a thing. Weird I know. Rolls, BMW’s, Trucks, Prius’, and all the rest seems like many older folks are even driving mini vans. I am impressed when I see someone driving a cool car in a cool color and they look happy. Less about the name brand and more about the fit. If they seem to be enjoying the ride then I’m impressed.
Lots of exercise talk makes me realize maybe I should exercise more. I never really was one of those people who loved to exercise esp in a gym. But it seems like it becomes a have to with age if you want to keep in good health.
@Happtimes2001, I know @abasket was asking for ideas other than exercise, but for me, it is THE one thing that helps most. When I lost a good bit of weight a few years ago, I had an epiphany - “Wow, THIS is the secret to feeling younger!” And seeing how hard it is for my mom to get around when her health really is OK is sobering. I want to keep my mobility!
Figuring things out makes me feel young. I’m in the throes of learning to manage a new puppy and his almost 2-year-old sister. DH works out of state, so it’s all on my head right now. I get to sink my teeth into figuring out a workable situation. Two canines, a small open-concept living area, and the science of dog behavior. See you on the “Say it here” thread!
Our D gave us a gift certificate for a standup paddle board lesson. H and I cashed in on that yesterday. Trying something new, at the beach, during summer. Felt rather young.
Going to the place where I spend a week hiking, working out, eating incredibly healthy food and then realizing my whole system just works better - makes me feel young. And keeping up with the ‘kids’ at that place is priceless.
Having our kids grown friends hang actually seek out opportunities to hang with H and I makes me feel like I still 'with it ’ enough to be of interest. Dancing to actual records, in H’s shop, with our kids and their partners and their friends while having a beer and pizza - hey look at me - I’m a kid again.
What really makes me feel young is when body parts don’t ache. I have assembled a crack team of ‘alternative’ therapists who keep things working rather smoothly. Sometimes it takes an extended period of time to resolve an issue. The hip/sciatica pain hung around for 2 years. A recent evaluation resulted in the suggestion I use arch wedges in my shoes. Pain gone in 48 hours, literally, no exaggeration. I just had to find the right person to figure out the solution.
Thanks to dad keeping us out of the sun at a time when the bronzed look was in fashion, thanks to 35 years or Retin-A and thanks to daily use of sunscreen, I get a feeling of youth whenever random strangers complement my complexion. It happens in lines at the store, on airplanes in restaurants. It happens regularly.
D got married a couple of months ago. When she relayed some of the comments her friends made about me I felt rather springy and spry. Some asked her if I was 12 when she was born, another said ‘don’t mean to be weird, but your mom’s a BABE’. :D/
Being lean and fit! I have a lot of energy for my 55 years. I notice it most at pickleball, a new sport at which I completely suck, but my one advantage is that I am fast, and don’t tire as easily.
I don’t do anything to make myself “feel younger.” I feel just fine at every age. I’m turning 62 next month, and I like feeling where I am right now. I really don’t get people who try to make themselves or try to feel themselves “younger” than their age. My wife wants me to die my hair, but I’m in love with my white hair. It’s perfectly natural to age, grow old and die. Oh, I don’t need Viagra, either.
Using Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp, Uber, Airbnb, etc.
Foreign travel.
Never wearing elastic waist band pants, ever!
Shopping/wearing young clothing.
Long hair.
Walking fast all the time.
Auditing university classes next to college age.
New eyeglasses. Wearing contacts.
Meet ups.
Getting a puppy.
Never talking about aches and pains.
Able to carry on a conversation about the latest news, sports, scientific discoveries.
Open to new experiences.
Open to new ideas.
Smiling.
And going to the gas station is so last century. 