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raccoon

(31,167 posts) Mon Apr 29, 2019, 08:14 PM Apr 2019

Is it hard-wired into humans that they think they'll never get old? [View all]

I know I didn’t think I ever would. I am approaching 70. I’ve talked to several friends who are about my age and they say the same thing.

So I wonder if maybe it isn’t hardwired into people that they irrationally think that getting old is something that’ll never happen to them. Yes, it happened to grandma and grandpa, it happened to mom and dad, but… It’ll never happen to me.

48 replies

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Is it hard-wired into humans that they think they'll never get old? [View all] raccoon Apr 2019 OP

My whole life I've never thought twice about aging until I turned 70 a couple of months ago. Vinca Apr 2019 #1

My paternal grandfather and uncle died before they were 53 Siwsan Apr 2019 #7

Once you've experienced shanti Apr 2019 #24

+1 n/t area51 Apr 2019 #35

When I hit 50, age finally started really getting to me Roland99 Apr 2019 #40

My wise Dad once told me that you can't stop aging, but nobody has to get "old". Siwsan Apr 2019 #2

someone once said getting old beats the alternative.... unblock Apr 2019 #4

Most definitely Siwsan Apr 2019 #8

Wow sorry to hear that. unblock Apr 2019 #12

i'm definitely not wired that way. unblock Apr 2019 #3

Yes I remember thinking that but in the early 40's reality sets in and it doesn't get any UniteFightBack Apr 2019 #5

You could be onto something. At 72 I know that I am not as physically for as I used to be. Arkansas Granny Apr 2019 #6

Nobody ever thinks they'll get old and die. BigDemVoter Apr 2019 #9

It only began to sink in after 50 or so... Ferrets are Cool Apr 2019 #10

I knew I was going to get old The Genealogist Apr 2019 #11

I have always said that getting old is better than the alternative. world wide wally Apr 2019 #13

Its not that you don't think you will ever get old drmeow Apr 2019 #14

I hit 40 this year Trenzalore Apr 2019 #15

It's weird to hit 70. There's no denying that you've reached "seniorhood"... VOX Apr 2019 #16

I agree with you that 70 is a real rude awakening. llmart Apr 2019 #20

Your point about "toxic people" is wise, and I've started doing that as well. VOX Apr 2019 #28

I repeat this truth with regularity malaise Apr 2019 #17

Yes I think so Beringia Apr 2019 #18

Joan COLLINS said, "Carpe diem each day like it's your last & one day it *will* be" UTUSN Apr 2019 #19

do you mean you didn't think you'd LIVE to old age Skittles Apr 2019 #21

I think it was more that I couldn't imagine that much time going by. raccoon Apr 2019 #38

that right there may be the difference Skittles Apr 2019 #45

Not many of us at 70 look like we're 30. But there are some ... JustABozoOnThisBus Apr 2019 #41

Turning 70 brought attention to aging for me lunatica Apr 2019 #22

I think not shanti Apr 2019 #23

Very true Racoon. And the biggest shock to me was dealing with my parents and Laura PourMeADrink Apr 2019 #25

Sure, we taxpayers will be happy marybourg Apr 2019 #36

What a kind and thoughtful response, thanks! Laura PourMeADrink Apr 2019 #43

Our bodies get old G_j Apr 2019 #26

There are a lot of things I love about pushing 60 Horse with no Name Apr 2019 #27

My dad died suddenly a month ago and I am still in shock. BigmanPigman Apr 2019 #29

Much love to you, BigmanPigman. I lost my mom a few years ago and dad, with his... DontBooVote Apr 2019 #33

Thank you. BigmanPigman Apr 2019 #37

I'm about to turn 75 this summer kskiska Apr 2019 #30

It's not the old that I hated, it was retirement. tavernier Apr 2019 #31

I remember talking to an "old guy" about 20 yrs ago... captain queeg Apr 2019 #32

I'm 66 now but have the same feelings that I did when I was 25 Poiuyt Apr 2019 #48

No ismnotwasm Apr 2019 #34

it has to do with our memories . the younger we are the fewer memories we have so less time seems JI7 Apr 2019 #39

I enjoy being 63 and Akacia Apr 2019 #42

Is it hard-wired into humans that they think they'll never get old? rsdsharp Apr 2019 #44

Well, may starts Older Americans Month PRETZEL Apr 2019 #46

If I knew I would live this long, (68), I would've taken panader0 Apr 2019 #47