What didn't they tell you about aging?

None of the effects seemed to be part of the deal. Back pain, more digestion issues, getting tired after doing even one task, drooping all over…...
Wear and tear started earlier than I thought!

That it could start before you hit thirty.

You didn’t go to the right barber shop. One I used to go to has a statue with a poem that compares promises about the Golden Years to various mostly off-color complaints about their elderly condition, and concludes “The Golden Years can kiss my ass.”

“They didn’t tell you” to me has the connotations of our rather sick parenting culture and educational systems, both of which are oriented towards carrot & stick obedience training, which is severely misguided and probably partly fueled by usually subconscious resentment at their own disappointments.

As for me, well, my vision is going south. I thought this question asked “why” not “what”... I keep having Emily Litella moments… “never mind.”

They didn’t tell me how startled I would be by having to consider time constraints. If I want to get a puppy or a kitten, I actually need to take life-span into consideration.
How I spend my time is more important to me, now. It’s a relief to be past my “sell by” date, and not worry about being physically attractive to a potential mate. i don’t really want to be with someone who wants me to look I’m 30.
They didn’t tell me how much more joy I would get from receiving and giving small kindnesses. Or how very much I would miss the people who were only casual friends, but died too early.
And no one yet has told me why I can go six to eight hours during the day without having to pee, but not even 3 hours at night.

Growing Old is not for Sissies

At what age do men stop bragging about the size of their penis and start joking about it.

We discussed this when younger but could not determine a definite answer.

Now we know.

That stuff was going on in the background the whole time, @Hawaii_Jake, we just weren’t paying attention because we weren’t ever going to get that old.

From the first time a grandparent went, “Ooof! You’re getting to big to pick up!” you were on report.

What parts will wear out first. My turn to age has just begun, and a few months ago I had sudden hearing loss (40%) in one ear for unknown reasons. It’s scared me so bad I’m learning sign language.

Funny that this was in the “Related” column.

Ditto, me.

It’s not all bad.

^I am quite content with my present circumstances. I like my age. I am, however, surprised at a few things. Not only do I not sleep as soundly as years past, I also go to bed very early and get up early. I like the morning routine I’ve created, but it is different than the past.

They probably told me everything, but I didn’t really pay attention because it wasn’t going to happen to me.
I’m 57 and I have no problem sleeping through the night.

My Dad told me that every pain I ever had would come back for no reason. I should have believed him.

“They” did tell you (and me). In books, movies, poems, ads, college courses, And family reunions, and in many other ways.

We just didn’t want to believe aging happened to us—only to others.

That you still feel young inside.

That crushes are crushes no matter how old you are. Other than that, I’m pretty content with how I’m aging.

They never explained how memory becomes faulty. I am constantly finding myself trying to remember names from the past and have to wait for the memory to be retrieved. Fortunately, the names usually do come back, although it may take a few minutes, hours or a day, and will jolt me when I think I am thinking about something else.

I feel like I was told everything and didn’t necessarily listen well, or heed warnings well. Possibly, women are more likely to share these sorts of things men? That’s my impression, but since I’m not in on all conversations maybe I’m wrong.

@LostInParadise They did, you just don’t remember.

Honestly?
That it was going to take this long.
Sure, I knew that I would get old of I lived a long time, but it seemed like there shouldn’t be any real downturn until around 60ish. I mean, 65 is retirement age, right? Shouldn’t we be 90% or so up until then??

Oh, and that it was going to cost so goddam much. Hell, everything’s paid for…how much money could you need?
Lots.

I agree with @Pachy. I’m 20 and I just don’t want to believe any of it!

That I’d get to the point where I was aware of it much sooner than I expected. In my head I feel 23, my body seems to have different ideas.

They didn’t tell me how rapidly time would pass, and how preoccupied I would become mulling old mistakes and regrets.

I don’t have insomnia but at the age of 65 I now have to get up at least every couple hours each night due to either my left or right arm will ache (from laying on it) or the stabbing pain in the ball of my right foot or I have to pee. I use ice message to numb the pain (never drugs) then I pee and then fall back to sleep for an hour or two and repeat.

I don’t complain or go to see a doctor about this because the doctor can’t heal me. The doctor will offer surgery, injections and drugs that do more harm than good. No thanks, I’ll handle my health on my own.

My grandmother used to tell us about her ailments and issues. I thought it was boring and icky. I wanted her to think of cheerful things to say. I know now what she was trying to do.
I think the thing which surprises me most is not feeling like I thought aging people would feel.

That you get scared to roller skate.

You get scared to climb ladders.

You get scared of volleyballs.

You get scared of checking accounts.

That people will make unfair, and unjust, assumptions about you after a certain age.

That you are always the same age inside.

@Here2_4 I could start talking about my ailments, but it is SO improper, IMO.
Rick does that all the time. Very annoying. I also have to back him off from telling other people about whatever issue I may have. He doesn’t really understand that.