Have you ever actually been happy to be an older person? I mean actually overjoyed?

Not a specific incident, but I’m pretty stoked about having my 20’s behind me. Do not need that drama.

So far, thumbs up for my 40’s.

When I had my growth spurt at 12 year’s old I rejoiced that at 6’5” that I was no longer easy picking for bullies.

Absolutely! I’m very thankful the drama is not a part of my life.

Am I the only person that got excited when I got a jury summons?

@chyna I thought jury summons were interesting pre-covid. But now, hard pass.

Medicare; not worrying about societal demands on my time, my appearance, certain behaviors; the option to be invisible or not as I choose, yeah, you bet I love it.
And I enjoy jury duty.

@canidmajor All of the above except jury duty. And I was doubly happy during the pandemic to be older and retired and not have to cope with working and/or schooling kids.

Yes.
I’m not that old, but still a bunch older than I was 20, 30, 40 years ago, when people’s (potential) thoughts and opinions would greatly affect me.
No more, I won’t say I don’t give a shit, but it just isn’t in my head anymore.
Now it’s all about me expressing what I want to express, and sharing what I want to share.
In other words, my thoughts, my love, my passions.
At 54 I’m very happy to finally reach that point.

@KNOWITALL…you’re what? 20? :)

I am happier at been retired and receiving benefits on a monthly basis for the rest of my life, and that is a boon to feeling secure and free to do whatever fascinates, as I now have my free time to learn,to write, to engage in activites that I like and not have to conform to what another deems suitable for me.

Here in a seniors apartment block many seem to have given up interests, learning, and so on and become complacent and not looking after there appearance and so on.

These people are showing on the outside what they feel on the inside..lost or depressed or whatever but surprisingly not happier?

Ones outlook on life is a big factor in old age and if one starts retirement with a defeatist attitude then its all downhill from there for them.

I often wonder if those ones had too good of a life that they take it for granted?

Barring illness and dealing with long term problems would make one feel this way but hope is always there and to make the best of what one is delt with at least will bolster there mental health better.

Mental health is more important in late life and having a positive outlook regardless of circumstances would vastly help.

I suppose take one day at a time and welcome each day with gratitude for having this life in the present.

Bottom line, Yes Iam happier,stable,healthy,interested in learning new things always, helpful when I can and polite to others as well as compassionate and understanding.

@Dutchess_III 48 years old sister, and I’m good with it. :D

I am okay with being older, but I certainly wouldn’t use the term “overjoyed”.

I like that I got a life time pass to the National Parks for $10. I like that my commute will cost 30% of what it was before when I return to the office.

I don’t like that my body is giving out, that I started running too late in life to avoid a number of health issues. That I am invisible to women under age 60.

^Funny how men in their 60’s are looking for women in their 40’s and 50’s on dating sites.

@zenvelo I’m finally at the age where men are starting to ignore me (some of the time), and I’m okay with that. Sorry it bothers you, though.

That IS something I’m glad about. No more stalking, harrassing, cat calls or stupid sexual jokes between men who actually think we’re too stupid to know what they’re talking about. No more comments on my body. I do not miss it.

You’re 48 @KNOWITALL? About time for a walker girl! Get them grab bars installed in the shower!

@Dutchess_III haha! Right now I’m more worried about the colonoscopy’s. My Primary said to enjoy my 40’s because once I turn 50 it gets even more invasive. Sigh.

I do enjoy the 10% discount I get at the carwash.

Being over 25 is way better than being under 25. How old is old? I think my early 40’s were my happiest years. Now, I have to worry about dropping dead and health issues in general. That part sucks.

I don’t understand why people have an aversion to Jury Duty. It is a civic duty.

I have been called several times in three different states. Happy and interesting for each one.

The last time I was happy to be older was when I turned old enough to drink.

I rarely get overjoyed about anything, but I am content.

I got called jor jury duty once. Didn’t make it past the first round. I felt like such a failure.

@Forever_Free Fro me, it’s about having to be somewhere 15 miles away at 8 a.m. I am not a morning person.

@janbb you would have hated my commute to pre-covid Boston

Not a morning person either, but got to sleep on the train until 8:30a,

Being an older person has its compensations. I am retired on a reasonable pension and seem to have left most of my worries behind. I divide my days up into activities that interest me but probably don’t feel overjoyed with life so much as I used to. The first time my grandson smiled at me would be an exception.

I hate jury duty. I didn’t want my neighbors to think I was nuts, or I’d have been singing Zippedy Doo Dah. It’s real, it’s actual, ever’thing is satisfactual! Even had a dang blue bird in my shoulder : )

I love my high physical fitness level. I’m 70 and feel terrific and am stronger than man men half my age. Of course I’m far weaker now than I was when I was 35.

@Dutchess_III I’ve been called for jury selection at least a dozen times. I’ve never been selected to serve on a jury. Why? I make sure that I tell the attorneys that sometimes common sense trumps the law. They don’t like that. Also I never raise my have to volunteer to give my opinion during jury selection. They have to call on me specifically. Sometimes they never get to me.

I recently retired from a government job with a pension. I was very happy to have reached the age where that was an option. I used to tell people that retirement is the one time in our adult lives when we wish we were older than we are, (due to the fact that younger people can’t wait to retire). I could have stayed working but my commute sucked (easily an hour from door to desk) and I’m also not a great sleeper, and need the extra hour or two of sleep I can get now in the morning (after being up at dawn).

For me, the retirement is the main thing.

Regarding jury duty, I was on it once in my County a few years ago. It consisted of calling a local number and hearing a recording that there are no jury trials tomorrow so you don’t need to report. I did receive a summons for Federal court jury duty, which is in NYC, a few years ago. That would have been close to impossible. To be in NYC by 9, I have over an hour and a half on a commuter train, plus the ride to the station and time to park (or taking a taxi), plus time from the train and maybe a subway, too. The exceptions at the time were having a child under 12 or being handicapped, which I had both qualifications. It would have been easier for me to have to drive to Albany, which is also about a two hour car ride but easier than having to take the train. Either Albany or NYC would be totally sucky, and would mean leaving the house around 6:30 in the morning with hours of commuting.