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Please Share 3 Things You Appreciate about Being Old

Posted by Miriam, Volunteer Mentor @mir123, Nov 27, 2025

It's Thanksgiving, so I'm looking at the positive. Some folks don't like the word "old" but I don't mind it. You can substitute "aging" if you prefer! I'm thrilled to be 71 and looking at 72. Due to serious health concerns in my youth I never expected to make it this far. So here goes--and I hope you can join in.

My Three Positive Things

1. I know what my ethics and beliefs are, and I'm no longer worried I might betray them because of outside pressure.
2. I can tell a good story based on life experience.
3. I'm less self critical. My mom told me that if she made a mistake she'd say "you're so clumsy" to herself. When she turned 80 she changed and told herself "you're doing great!"

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

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kayejen | @kayejen | Aug 3 11:35am
In reply to @edsutton "1) I take deep joy in simple perceptions: color, sound, smell, touch. 2) I know how..." + (show)
Profile picture for edsutton @edsutton

1) I take deep joy in simple perceptions: color, sound, smell, touch.
2) I know how to study and learn, and I have a lifetime supply of research materials for my favorite topics.
3) I'm grateful for human relationships with fewer expectations, knowing life is often difficult or everyone; it's good to be around one another.
4) My dog and I are in love.

Jump to this post

@edsutton Aww, keep that LOVE with your dog forever. Dogs are such amazing 4-legged people that God gave to us. I have a cat to love on but at times he can be a very persnickety about things, but I still love him. If I had my "rather" I would have a sweet dog.

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kayejen | @kayejen | Aug 3 12:05pm

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS. Every answer is such a beautiful thought of the mind. And, at 87 I hope that I'm eligible to put in my (3) cents worth in: #1 I love my Lord so very much and I know that I'm deeply loved in return. #2 My children are my next grateful greatness of love. #3 I'm grateful that I live in AMERICA - even with all of it faults America is absolutely the greatest country ever.... GOD bless America!

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altilla | @altilla | Aug 4 7:46am

1. Temple Time on the Prairie with pups.
2. A really GOOD cup of coffee after morning stretches as I go through my email and the news.
3. Watching my “kids” those I mentored over the years grow into tremendous people. How can they possibly be that old? LOL.

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fromthehill | @fromthehill | Aug 4 11:38am

The three things I love about being old are
1/ Being able to say no to things I don't want to do without having to explain why.
2/People automatically offering to walk or give me a ride home after an event.
3/ The freedom to wear what I feel like no matter how weird...Its all good fun.

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scottbeammeup | @scottbeammeup | Aug 4 11:57am

1. I no longer have to worry about dying young
2. Surprising looks from guys half my age when I'm leg pressing the same weight as them
3. Being able to stay home on a Saturday night and not feel like I've failed somehow

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pkg | @pkg | Aug 5 6:04pm

My weeks now are 6 Saturdays and a Sunday.
Love it.
Nothing to prove to anyone anymore unless I want to.

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slowrunner1 | @slowrunner1 | Aug 7 10:01am

Like the song,
1. stayin alive,
2. stayin alive and
3. reading the obituaries of guys who were mean a--holes in high school.

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3 replies
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germone12345 | @germone12345 | Aug 7 3:14pm
In reply to @slowrunner1 "Like the song, 1. stayin alive, 2. stayin alive and 3. reading the obituaries of guys..." + (show)
Profile picture for slowrunner1 @slowrunner1

Like the song,
1. stayin alive,
2. stayin alive and
3. reading the obituaries of guys who were mean a--holes in high school.

Jump to this post

Ed:

1. waking up every day
2. waking uup every day
3. waking up every day

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ginawest | @ginawest | Aug 7 5:21pm

1. Being able to do what I want to do.
2. Having friends.
3. Having my husband and kids to talk with.

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