Does anyone feel old and useless with age?

@rashida
Thanks for sharing that poem! It took me a while to get the print large enough for me to read it. I do remember that poem and it's wonderful and so true! God is always there for us even when we think he isn't.
God Bless You!
PML

Wonderful answers. What I get from all of this is: We work with what we've got. And we give when we can and as much as we can. Hugs to all of you!

@pumaguy79 Thank you for this post. I am 80.I was strangled and raped while bringing in my Kroger order last October. The guy is serving 15years in prison. I chose Victor. I am not going to let him steal my joy.I'm enjoying my family,friends,and church family.. My faith in God got me through it.

@sillyblone I’m right there with you. Now I’m 74 and I think who’s going to hire me. I’m old and no one listens to me. What more do I have to offer to this world?

@mrmacabre Yes--I'm an old woman of nearly 74. Everything *does* hurt, especially my low back, my left shoulder, and my head (chronic headaches). My low back pain stems from disk degeneration disease and 2 types of scoliosis that mysteriously showed up a few years back. I can't walk very far, and my endurance is low. I had a cardiac ablation last December (2025), and I've felt short of breath and my heart beats fast whenever I walk very far. Also, one leg is now a bit shorter than the other, and walking is very painful. I think my spine is "crumbling"/"collapsing" more on the left side than on the right b/c I lean when I sit, stand, or walk, and there's a lot of pain in both sides. I haven't known a painfree day in years. Now my pharmacist is threatening to basically cut off my pain med (Norco), which I resent. She's not my doctors, all of whom know all the meds I am taking, esp. my pain management specialist. this is upsetting and scary. Some pencil-pushing box-checker driving *her* decides whether I'm in pain or not??? I feel very vulnerable, and my peace of mind is shot. I feel that my world has gotten so much smaller--I can't go on walks with my husband and our little dog. Heck, I can't make it around the block without stopping to let my heart slow down and catch my breath--and that's on top of the pain that has me limping. I dread when my husband goes to see his mom (100 years old) out of state for a week to 10 days. The days drag on and on. I feel and am depressed (Wellbutrin and other meds), both "biochemically" and situationally. I can't sleep well, either.

I have so much clutter (paper, books, things intended for Goodwill, etc.) that I don't know where to start. Life is just overwhelming me like a tidal wave. I feel like I'm faking living every day because inside, I feel like I''m failing at life. Since I wrote in May 2025, our little dog passed of organ failure (September 19, 2025). I fell into a deeper depression. We just got another dog in May of 2026. Candy's a very sweet-natured dog, but I still miss Cleo, who was my first dog as an adult and who was the Dog of My Heart. I have lots of love for Candy, and I appreciate her every day and am thankful for her and esp. for my husband and a couple of (distant geographically) friends.
Life is just isolating in so many respects. I can't afford therapy (who can these days!?). I see a psychiatrist, who monitors my psych meds, but he's not a psychotherapist and our visits every 8 weeks last only 20 minutes.
I'm just completely overwhelmed and treading water every single day...

@pml it is so true! God is always there for us and with us. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and this will help see you through the hard times.!

75
I have found out just how many body parts you can do without and still live a gratifying life.
My God, my church sustain me when things go to heck.
At 75, I was given a new church calling and I am running with it.
Find a church, find a Gospel, find your calling.
God new what he was getting when he called me.
Do the best you can and keep all of your chins up! 🙂

@mimigirl63 There is a group of Seniors Helping Seniors! It may not be everywhere! But look into it and see what it offers! I am not dead yet and nothing will take my dignity! If it does sound like you would fit definitely try it out! Doing for others helps us to forget ourselves and remember we are worthy, able and matter! By, the way I lost the love of my life a couple months ago! I am so broken hearted and am having to do more things then when I was a caregiver! Overwhelming, but I have a loving family, church and I still have a brain that can think and make decisions! It saddens me that we are not valued by others at times ! But, I tell myself I am worthy and still have a brain ! It is hurtful and rude.. but I am an adult and I can think and work circles around some of these rude arrogant younger or same age people!! Yes, we ache sometimes.. but believe me you and myself are just important and have abilities that some do not! Never give up, til you can’t! Love for others is missing for others at times! Hold your head high and remember “ I’m here and I can make it happen through strength and God”!!

I’m 66 and sometimes, in conversation, my 36yr old son routinely says to me “look at you. You’re an old lady. What do you know? You talk too much, your so negative, etc”.
You pour your heart and soul and everything you have into them - your life, and here you are. It’s so sad.

@morironman I am an atheist