People Born Before 1980 Share The Struggles Of Their Age And Here Are 30 Of Them

Getting older comes with a whole host of challenges and changes that almost matches puberty in a way. But the truth is that many of us don’t really accept that we are aging until it’s staring us right in the face.
A netizen asked “What was the biggest change to getting older that was the hardest to accept?” and older folks shared their best stories. We also got in touch with the person who started the viral thread. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to share your own thoughts below.

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People Born Before 1980 Share The Struggles Of Their Age And Here Are 30 Of Them No matter how I work at it - eating right, exercising, etc. - my body can't keep up with my brain anymore. One damn thing or another is always on the fritz. Back feels great, finallllllyyyyy???? F**k you, says my right knee, try this on for size! (collapses)

Good times!

PurpleBeads504 , Valeria Boltneva / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

122points

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People Born Before 1980 Share The Struggles Of Their Age And Here Are 30 Of Them I'm not in vain, but I think it's incredibly difficult to lose your looks. Going from young vibrant looking to old and haggard. visually, you can see you're getting old, even though you don't feel old inside.

mannuts4u , Martin Péchy / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

111points

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People Born Before 1980 Share The Struggles Of Their Age And Here Are 30 Of Them Weight gain that I can’t lose no matter what I do.

Zestyclose_Big_9090 , Andres Ayrton / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

106points

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People Born Before 1980 Share The Struggles Of Their Age And Here Are 30 Of Them A few things come to mind. Lack of stamina. Good grief. I have been active for all my life, but now, even the simple gym routine wears me out. It bothers me each day that physical tasks take longer, I often ache afterwards, and the thought of breaking down bit by bit scares the stuffing out of me.

My never having been beautiful physically, you would think that not being noticed wouldn't bother me. It does. Getting the aid of a store clerk has become task. I find myself having to force myself on people. That's annoying.
The forgetting of names, proper nouns when I know those are words are somewhere in my brain just aggravates the stew out of me. Where did those words go? Hours later I will be loading the dishwaher and, damn, the name or book title will pop in head as though the brain kept searching for it long after I forgot I needed the name earlier. What's up with that?

Getting shorter. Freaking gravity. I was never tall and now I know that centimeter by centimeter I get closer to the ground. Argh.

Arthritis. All the activity, wear and tear on my joints as a young adult has come to haunt me. I have spent the last seven years doing resistance weight training to strengthen the muscles around the achy joints. Thank goodness I did, but nothing has helped stop the stiffening of joints.

Not being needed on some level. I spent so much time taking care of growing children, making professional decisions in my work life, coming up with solutions to make systems better and now I often feel hollow, useless. I want to know that I can help not just be a token.

Another sad thing concerns my decreasing lack of patience. I can no longer suffer the insufferable and wanton ignorance around me. I must walk away. Civil discourse disappears when grown a*s adults believe and repeat lies and conspiracies. That's not a debate, it's chaos. There's no deference to the expertise in our world. Retired insurance salespeople are not experts on geopolitics or macroeconomics. They just aren't. Ugh. For goodness sake, just shut up.

I must be cranky this morning. So I will shut up now.

Photon_Femme , Andres Ayrton / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

100points

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People Born Before 1980 Share The Struggles Of Their Age And Here Are 30 Of Them Having to let go of a dream or goal that will never be achieved. 😢.

linda70455 , Gabriel Gurrola / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

97points

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People Born Before 1980 Share The Struggles Of Their Age And Here Are 30 Of Them Decrease in stamina; why is everything so tiring now?

EXXPat , Eduardo Flores / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

92points

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People Born Before 1980 Share The Struggles Of Their Age And Here Are 30 Of Them I have noticed a change in my short-term memory over the past several months and it's concerning me.

WTFuckery2020 , Lisa Fotios / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

91points

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People Born Before 1980 Share The Struggles Of Their Age And Here Are 30 Of Them Crepe skins and loss of muscle.

Annual-Hovercraft158 , Pixabay / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

90points

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People Born Before 1980 Share The Struggles Of Their Age And Here Are 30 Of Them Vision. Letters are too small on so many things. Glasses on. Glasses off. Where are my glasses? Bifocals.

someguy14629 , Jilbert Ebrahimi / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

86points

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#10

I’ve always had a cat (or two). After my previous boy passed, I went and adopted a bonded pair, because I’m getting *two* out of the shelter, right? But after a couple of years I came to realize that- if they stay healthy, they could easily outlive me and my husband (we are both 70). And then what happens? Everybody says, “Oh, provide for them in your will! Get a commitment from a friend or family member who can take them!”. What if you don’t have anyone who can take them?

Maybe we’ll be lucky and outlive them. Maybe my daughter halfway across the country (who currently has a cranky cat and two very energetic dogs) will have an opening. Maybe a cat-loving neighbor will still be living nearby. Maybe. 🥺🥺🥺 I worry about it.

littlespawningflower Report

Final score:

84points

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Jeremy James 3 months ago

I used to volunteer at a sanctuary with over 700 cats. Many of them came from elderly folks in that exact situation.

39points

Nicole Weymann 3 months ago

An elderly coworker of mine used to adopt old dogs in particular for that reason: chances of the dogs outliving her and having to go to the shelter (again) were smaller.

4points

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Isabella 3 months ago

And that is why when you are old - you also adopt elderly animal, not getting a puppy or a kitten. Cat is 20+ years commitment.

12points

Marie Lane 3 months ago

My policy is now to now only adopt an older cat from the local shelter — mostly to provide one with their forever home, but also in the event that anything happens to me before they go. I do have a plan in my estate documents that will place them in a loving home and support their care.

9points

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MC Scott 3 months ago

We’re of an age where we’re not likely to adopt another pet, so the plan is to start fostering as soon as I retire. (As long as Her Majesty the Dog doesn’t mind temporary roomies, that is!)

3points

Glen Ellyn 3 months ago

Adopting an older cat was my plan until inflation went crazy these past few years. I just can't afford a cat.

2points

Christopher Crockett 3 months ago

My best friend's landlord is in her early 70's, and while she is healthy for now, she asked me if I would take her cat if something happens to her. I'm honored she would ask me, and I adore her cat (kitty and I get along very well), and I will take her in if anything happens. I know a lot of animals aren't so lucky.

5points

Steve Robert 3 months ago

Unfortunately I feel the same way. Always had cats, but after I lost my last one, I haven't gotten another because I'm afraid this time they'll outlive me. And the pain of losing another one is just too much to go through again.

4points

Alexa Saltz 3 months ago

I am considering an elderly pet instead of a young one.

4points

Claire Nichols 3 months ago

There are plenty of rehoming places! Not a shelter/pound. I adopted both of my cats through rehoming places. I'm in Australia so may be different, but I know they will take in cats who are left behind. They are some of the most loving and beautiful people I know and do so much to help the cats have a happy life until they see you again on the rainbow bridge

4points

Joss 3 months ago

Find a pet sitter who loves them and build a consistent relationship with that sitter - I have a shortlist of favorites I'd take in no questions asked and have let a few clients know that while I hope they never need a new home, I'll be on call as a guardian. I also know pet people and animal personalities, so even if I can't take a pet, I might know someone who'd be a good fit.

3points

David 3 months ago

My cat just passed and I may not get another for similar reasons. Also just less bills. As for OP - they could view it as those two cats are having a decent life now they might not of had if they didn't take them from the shelter.

3points

Amberlie Mikelsen 3 months ago

There are options! If you live in the United States, most communities have at least 1 church, and most counties have at least 1 no-kill animal shelter. Talk to one of them about making arrangements for your bonded Fur-Babies, specifically stated so that they won't be separated. Many of those organizations are willing and more than able to help you with that, often at little to no cost to you. All you need to do is make sure to add a clause to your will stating what the arrangement is and with whom.

2points

Dogcat vet (retired) 3 months ago

You might check with your local animal shelter: some groups have 'cat retirement homes' you can sign up for where your cats can stay in a home like environment with other cats for enrichment. Likely with some medical support til they are ready to join you.

2points

Dogcat vet (retired) 3 months ago

https://www.natcat.org/ southern california

0points

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BarfyCat 3 months ago

We recently did our will and NO ONE would agree to take the kitties. How did I get surrounded on all sides by dog people????

2points

Jeanne 3 months ago

In my town, a young woman posted in our town’s fb page that she was dying and asked if anyone could take her cat. Many people fortunately offered.

0points

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Clover 3 months ago (edited)

I sure do understand your dilemma! I too have had those very same thoughts. I have no one to take them if I should pass before they do. I also worry about if I was alone and passed, by the time that I was found, it would be a bad situation for the cat. I don't have a cat anymore, my last one went to the Rainbow Bridge several years ago. I always wanted her to go first, because I didn't want her to ever think that I abandoned her. She did.

1point

R.A. Haley 3 months ago

Our last dog died about a year ago. We have no plans to get another, we'll be traveling instead.

1point

Uncle Schmickle 3 months ago

I've done that for my cat. If you don't know anyone who would look after them, contact a cat shelter / rehoming organisation and put an amount aside in your will for them to look after your moggies. I give a small donation every month to one of these groups and they said they would look after my cat if I pass away first, even without a donation.

0points

Be_ Heard 3 months ago

This is a possibility at any age. Im young and healthy and have 2 cats. Doesn't mean i couldnt get in a car accident tomorrow and pass leaving them alone. I understand where op is coming from but outliving our pets could be an issue at any point our lives. I worry about my pets. I would be heart broken if i wasn't around to take care of them and they didnt know why and then no one wanted them. Its such a sad thought

0points

Gloria G 3 months ago

I have a Cockatoo who is now 26 years old. I'm 71. When I made my Will out I left my Cockatoo to my brother who is 18 years younger than me. I can't find anyone who will take my pig though! I'll have to live until I'm 87. My last pig was almost 20 years old when he died.

0points

Maryanne Mackie 3 months ago

Me too only my dog is 3-4. When I adopted him they said he was 6-8. When I took him to the vet they said her was 3-4. I’m so worried about what will happen to him .

0points

EJN 3 months ago

Me too! I have 3 cats now and the 20 yo will most likely leave before I do, but the 13 and 14 yo will possibly outlive me. My daughter loves cats too but is not so involved in their daily upkeep. I would love to take in abandoned cats, but since I am now in my 70s, I have to be realistic about what I can provide and for how long. I never want any of my cats to be out of a home due to my demise.

0points

Cynthia Marrs 3 months ago

Good point. We gave up the donkeys to a young family because donkeys can live to be 40. Our dog is only 4. But, I think we'll be fine.

0points

DowntownStevieB 3 months ago

OH! **cutting onions** What I found helpful, at least with getting a pet sitter, I chose a friend and have them over often. My furry kids get accustomed to them, and now when we go away, my kids are thrilled to hang with their sitter and friend. So, maybe find a person who is willing and have them over often.

0points

Jeanne 3 months ago

I read that only 5 percent of senior pets get adopted in shelters. Please adopt one at petfinder.com. Also, local fb groups or local vets might be able to help people find homes for their pets in case of death of the owner.

0points

Sven Horlemann 3 months ago

💕

0points

Genevieve Smith 3 months ago

I have 30 now. Had to PTS one of my elderly kitties this morning. 😥😭 I've made provision in my will for one of two friends to get "the lot" - house, cars, bank accounts, investments on condition they take care of all the remaining animals.

0points

Jeanne 3 months ago

I’m so sorry about your kitty.

0points

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#11

Going on Reddit and reading all the hate for Boomers. Apparently we are one giant evil monolithic hive-mind because we were born between 1946-1964. That’s all it took, just being born at a specific time. We’re like the Borg.

On the other hand, all the other generations consist of millions of individuals with different personalities and political viewpoints and different and individual hopes, dreams, hobbies, and interests.

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Final score:

79points

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#12

People Born Before 1980 Share The Struggles Of Their Age And Here Are 30 Of Them Becoming invisible. No one tells you and then it’s too late.

Izdabye , Kaique Rocha / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

77points

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#13

People Born Before 1980 Share The Struggles Of Their Age And Here Are 30 Of Them I used to have so much discipline. I could keep my weight down, exercise 7 times a week, keep my home organized, etc. Now I just want to eat gummies, Doritos and hang out here.

Glittering_Sky8421 , Gabin Vallet / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

77points

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#14

Menopause... and all the s**t no one warned me about. Like losing your sex drive. ( which I've fortunately gotten back, somewhat).... or aging 10 yrs in 6 months. Waking up one morning to find I have NO eyebrows.... you know, s**t like that!

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Final score:

76points

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#15

People Born Before 1980 Share The Struggles Of Their Age And Here Are 30 Of Them Realizing that the end is no longer over the horizon; it is the horizon.

S_L_Raymond , Mike Bird / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

75points

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#16

People Born Before 1980 Share The Struggles Of Their Age And Here Are 30 Of Them That events/cultural references that you remember vividly are a lot older than you think, and in many cases, younger folks will have no idea what you are talking about.

Mooseagery , Josh Sorenson / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

74points

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#17

People Born Before 1980 Share The Struggles Of Their Age And Here Are 30 Of Them I’ve been a personal trainer, marathoner, martial arts instructor, yoga teacher, …… since I was about 22. I’m 57. In my youthful, delusional mind, I truly thought I would be 80 before I started slowing down. Aging is humbling. We can exercise, eat right, and avoid most of the bad stuff. But, accidents happen. Genetics happen. Illness happens. I’m still very grateful that I have stayed fit and healthy through the years. But I was so sure I would be a marathon running grandma. Aging has checked my ego in a big way.

YogaBeth , Bruno Bueno / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

68points

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#18

Not knowing who some “famous” people are. I look at the cover of People magazine when checking out at the supermarket and half the time don’t know who the people they are crowing about are, lol.

SurrealKnot Report

Final score:

68points

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#19

People Born Before 1980 Share The Struggles Of Their Age And Here Are 30 Of Them When you are younger it feels like you have all the time in the world to do things. I am now coming to terms with the fact that “someday” is a lot smaller of a window.

Alternative_Sock_608 , Ari Alqadri / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

66points

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#20

Damned QR Codes for literally everything.

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66points

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#21

People Born Before 1980 Share The Struggles Of Their Age And Here Are 30 Of Them Being patronized by doctors.

HawkReasonable7169 , Karolina Kaboompics / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

63points

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#22

People Born Before 1980 Share The Struggles Of Their Age And Here Are 30 Of Them The people I love won’t be around forever.

Daisy_W , cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

62points

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#23

People Born Before 1980 Share The Struggles Of Their Age And Here Are 30 Of Them Singing well. I can’t hit high notes anymore and sometimes my voice is shaky and off key. I don’t sing in public, just in the car or at home, but it saddens me that no one will ever say “Wow! I didn’t know you could sing like that” ever again. 😒.

NoIndividual5987 , Andrea Piacquadio / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

60points

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#24

People Born Before 1980 Share The Struggles Of Their Age And Here Are 30 Of Them Can’t wear high heels.

Pure-Guard-3633 , Apostolos Vamvouras / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

60points

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#25

Dealing with heat & humidity; untrustworthy knees.

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57points

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#26

People Born Before 1980 Share The Struggles Of Their Age And Here Are 30 Of Them Loss of ambition and drive. Part of me kind of likes it because deep down I'm just a bum but overall it's been tough to accept. Hard to describe but you reach a point of just feeling finished with it all and energy doesn't come easy anymore.

Unless I'm super stoked about something, I basically don't care about it and can't even force myself to pretend to care.

PicoRascar , Maksim Smirnov / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

54points

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#27

People Born Before 1980 Share The Struggles Of Their Age And Here Are 30 Of Them Not only hair growing out of new places that never had hair before but growing an inch over night.

johngknightuk , cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

54points

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#28

Realizing me and hubby can't just lift heavy objects like we did 20 years ago when we moved in. We're buying and putting together new furniture and deep calculations go into how we're going to get it up the stairs or room to room. Literally stuck with a very, very old bedroom set (hubby's grandma) we no longer can get downstairs to get rid of it. Will have to hire movers so we can get a new set.

Yeah, we're old asf. Hubby just turned 70 yesterday.

Insult to injury: I take him to a winery for his birthday/ We're sitting outside on a beautiful day sipping white wine and eating some cracker, hummus, and stuffed olives, and chatting (we use sign language) before going to dinner. A women is walking around and back and forth (I swear I caught her filming us while a video call she was on). At one point she passed by again and says, "You two are so cute. Sitting there just enjoying yourselves in the sun." I say thank you, but...

I'm thinking, so we've become that cute little old couple now??? WTF?! 😳.

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Final score:

51points

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#29

People Born Before 1980 Share The Struggles Of Their Age And Here Are 30 Of Them The hardest thing to understand as it's happening is that your circle of friends gradually grows smaller and smaller. They're still your friends and when you see them it's like old times. But the times you see them gradually decrease to almost never. And these people who were/are the most important people in your life for such a pivotal time in your life slowly begin to have other normal priorities - partners, families, work commitments, general adulting.

You grow up watching TV shows, seeing people in their 20s and 30s hanging out all the time, seeing each other daily, and you expect that to be your life. And it sort of is for a short time in real life. But the people pair up (normal), no longer need roommates (normal), get jobs in another city (normal), buy a house (normal), get married (normal), have kids (normal) and so on and so on.

This has been the hardest thing to accept.

FewWave4322 , Sofia Alejandra / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

Final score:

45points

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#30

My life getting smaller. I used to travel but that is pretty much gone because my husband hates to travel and I have health issues that makes it hard for me to go by myself. I used to be a Global IT Project Manager flew off around the world now the grocery store is an adventure. My kids are grown and gone. Just not much life anymore. I do enjoy our community that keeps me going.

Delaneybuffett Report

Final score:

37points

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What do you think ?

wowbagger 3 months ago

A few months ago I started working at a fabric store where the staff and customers are almost all older women. At 53, I'm one of the youngsters. It has made me realize how biased I was against older women. At first, I was genuinely surprised by how much humor, energy, creativity, and even raunchiness I saw, which just goes to show how ignorant I was. I'm now feeling a lot more positive about my own aging. And, for what it's worth, we (older people) are not invisible to each other.

26points

Auntriarch 3 months ago

Come on in, the water's lovely!

Papa 3 months ago

Getting older definitely has drawbacks, but it beats the alternative. There are also some good things about it. My wife and I have two adult children that we are proud of, and have good relations with. I had to buy two new tires for my tractor a few years ago. Those tires will probably outlast me, and should definitely last until I no longer need a tractor, so that's something I won't have to do again. I've cut back on my responsibilities, to give me more time to focus on my home and family.

13points

Steve Hall 3 months ago

When I was a child, I couldn't wait until I became an adult. When I became an adult, I couldn't wait until I got old enough to retire. Now that I'm old, I can't wait for my second childhood to begin.

Michael Largey 3 months ago

The biggest thing for me is that, sometime in the future, everyone I've ever taught will be dead. Then I'll really be gone.

Shannon Matthews 3 months ago

I've had 3 shoulder surgeries since July of 22. I have no good stories of 'hey you should see the other guy!' Getting old sucks.

Loch Ness Monster 3 months ago

I want to have words with the person who decided that being born before 1980 makes you old! People born in the 80s are still children! It was only 44 years ago... oh... oops... I guess I really am old now...

Rienk Kroese 3 months ago

Complaints don't make it better. Life is suffering and all things fall apart. Maybe U should have read what the Buddha said, instead of going to yoga class.

Adam Benson 3 months ago

The scariest thing about my age (45) is that I'm now closer to retirement age than the start of my working career. I've already been rejected for some jobs in favour of younger candidates.

Meami 3 months ago

I laughed at the title to this post. Most of the people who posted here (myself included) were born before 1960 - long before 1980. I did great until my mid 50s or so. Every year older I find I struggle more with fatigue, weight-gain, and aches and pains. I find it harder to remember things and my hearing and eyesight are worsening. But you know, my friends have the same struggles so we try to support one another and keep a positive outlook.

RamiRudolph 3 months ago

Well that was depressing. I'll turn 37 in a month, but the thought of what awaits me makes me anxious.

Boo 3 months ago

36? You're still a young 'in

Realising that I'm now the eldest in my family. The previous generation have all passed away. It's a strange feeling not to have the presence of parents, aunts, uncles, etc. with whom you grew up and were always just " there ".

AnnaB Premium 3 months ago

Seeing how quickly the last twenty years passed by and knowing, if I'm lucky, I'll have only another short twenty ahead of me.

brittany 3 months ago

im 36 and feeling all of this.

People Born Before 1980 Share The Struggles Of Their Age And Here Are 30 Of Them

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