Age is but a number, or a mindset… But do you feel “old”?
Nanci’s wonderful essay got us thinking about age and old age. What does it mean to “feel old”? Do you feel old mentally, or physically, too? Just physically but not mentally? Or do you still feel pretty young, ready for your next RV adventure?
Sometimes it’s a stiff knee or a forgotten name that makes us pause and wonder—is this what aging feels like? Other times, it’s the joy of a quiet morning coffee with no rush to be anywhere that reminds us we’ve earned this phase of life. Age might bring limitations, but it also brings freedom, perspective, and a lot of good stories.
Some days, you might feel like a kid again—laughing around a campfire or watching the stars from a quiet campsite. Other days, a sore back or a new wrinkle reminds you that time is moving on. Maybe the trick is learning to appreciate both.
We’ve met RVers in their 30s who feel “old” from stress and burnout—and travelers in their 80s who are hiking, kayaking, and living their best lives. So, maybe feeling old isn’t about the calendar, but about how engaged, curious, and connected we are with the world around us.
How do you define feeling old? After you vote, please leave a comment and share the reasoning behind your answer (if you’re comfortable doing so, of course). Thanks!
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RVDT2899
The last few years my body has been complaining with arthritis and other body pains.
It has definitley slowed down my activity.
Mentally I’m doing very well. My mind still wants to do things my body rejects.
Well said. I feel the same way.
Getting old is NOT for sissies! My body feels like 100 some days yet my mind is still in my 20’s.
I saw a question some time ago that illustrates perfectly. “Doesn’t it feel odd to be the same age as old people?”
Things started getting harder just before I turned 70. Somewhat strength, but mostly endurance. Turns out I have higher than normal blood iron – – was not hemochromatosis (a genetic disorder) but has the same effect. The docs all said coronary issues, but after extensive testing, not. I suggested some blood iron testing. Bingo! My first hematologist visit is in 2 weeks.
How about “sometimes”
That would be my answer too.
Ditto!
25 year old brain trying to tell a 76 year old body what it can do without issues.
After my prostate and gallbladder were surgically removed, my left kidney becoming minimally functional and seven weeks of radiation therapy it’s definitely the physical side that affects me. However it doesn’t dampen my enthusiasm for getting out and pursuing my favorite activity, taking pictures of the natural beauty of this country!
At 72, my mind is still interested in many things, and seems to be staying supple. I try to do things to keep it that way. My body – not so much. Arthritis and other issues add up to a cranky body. At the moment, I need to use a wheeled walker to walk very far, due to spinal issues, although at home, and in and around the trailer, I don’t use it. Surgery is planned next week, so we’ll see how much mobility I regain. We don’t plan to give up exploring, and I already have permission to (most likely) go to Grand Canyon a month after surgery.
Good luck with your upcoming surgery, Andrea. I hope it’s so successful that you are out of pain and no longer need to use a walker.🤞 How fun to have the Grand Canyon to look forward to! Take care, and have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
I guess 2.5 years of cancer treatments from age 75-78 might make anyone start feeling physically old. At 75, I was doing everything I did at 65–hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, guiding school dinosaur tours up mountain grades, working in the yard for hours, RVing in a fifth wheel and diesel truck. By 78, I could mow only half the lawn before needing to rest, RV in a motorhome, and only ride an E-bike. At 80, mentally, still good; physically, not so much.
I just celebrated my 80th…that sounds “old” to me! When I look in the mirror, my hair is white, my skin is wrinkly, that seems “old”. People keep telling me that I “don’t look 80!” I know I move slower, think slower, but I’m still active and am healthy – so what IS “old”? 😉
Sometimes my mind and body seem old, but mostly my mind wants to do things but my body says “You gotta be kiddin’ me! No way you’re doing that!”
“Old” – is a number. There are people who are old at 50 probably due to some genetics and extreme stresses. Or there are those still young at 85. I have arthritis and spinal stenosis in my lower back – that makes me “feel” old at times – but the mind is strong, the memory not so much! I don’t think of myself at 89 as “old”. Many are kind and say I don’t look or act my age – the mirror tells me otherwise – it doesn’t lie! I have denied recommended back surgery for fear it will make me old & virtually crippled, as a couple friends are who did have the surgery! No urge to rush to a walker or worse – a home! My mother died at 97 and still young, my dad at 78 with a congestive heart failure.
I always chuckle a bit when my family doctor says, “For someone born in 1936 you are doing just fine”. Saying 1936 has less impact than 90. But, having a son that is 67 years old seems unreal. However, as Mark Twain said, “Age is simply mind over matter – if you don’t mind it doesn’t matter”.
I saw a great quote: “There are an awful lot of old people my age.” I am old enough in years to be considered a senior, geezer, whatever word you’d like to use. However, the thought of going to the “senior center” just seems all wrong. I’m not old enough for that. How old am I? I’ll turn 75 later this year. I compete in dog sports (agility & rally) so I can’t be that old.
We trial our Jack Russell’s
and use the RV to get there and stay on site for 4 or 5 days to help run the trials.
There needs to be a “Sometimes” choice. That would be me.
All physical ailments. Knee, shoulder, many hand and back surgeries.
My new “kid” doctor (I have outlived the others) recently said, “For a male your age….”, and I wanted to hit him. However I do shave my father’s face every morning in the mirror. Brain works better than the body, which I am very thankful for.
Having MS combined with age makes me feel a lot older than I am.
My answer is much different today than it would have been 2 months ago. Two months ago I was coming down an icy trail on my Mtn bike crashed sprained my ankle, had a displaced fracture of the fibula! Then two weeks ago my a fib started acting up again! Needless to say I am not happy 😡. I passed 85 awhile ago on the way to 86 so I guess in the big picture I am doing ok!
You sound pretty active for your age, Peter. Mountain biking at 85? Wow! Well, I hope you heal up soon and that your a-fib settles down soon so you can get back to doing what you want. Good luck! And take care. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
At 79 I still work part time in a job that occasionally requires me to go into attics and crawlspaces. Every time, I think “I’m too old for this!” But then I think “Well, if I weren’t doing this, I’d be even older.” I went through radiation and chemo and surgery for throat cancer 24 years ago – when I was still young enough to enjoy it – and started getting younger again afterwards.
Right now, I am preparing a shopping list for four days of food for our FRVA chapter to which I will drive our motorhome. We have five outings annually and I organized this one including two or three offsite activities. Physically I have lost a lot of endurance and strength but am still going at 92.