Things “They” Don’t Tell You About Getting Old

But I will…

Photo by Jeremy Wong on Unsplash

1. Your body changes greatly. Yeah, you knew that but feeling and seeing it in the mirror are very different.

Seeing my turkey neck in the mirror while I put on make-up is very depressing — even more than my droopy boobs, flabby belly and crepe skin (all over) because it’s what people actually see — the rest can be disguised.

2. Along with the body changes — even if you have no medical issues — those changes can be very demoralizing because they can also limit your activities. Your ADLs (Activities of daily living — like going to the bathroom, getting dressed, eating…)

I had to have my right shoulder replaced because the rotator cuff was destroyed — probably from falls (and that’s another issue — poor balance). I even struggle sometimes to get up — from a seat or from a toilet.

3. Not being able to do things you once did easily — for me it’s traveling and walking all over a town or countryside.

This morning I swept the kitchen and did some basic cleaning of hardwood floors and now sitting down because back pain is telling me to.

I would make a yearly trip to Gettysburg and walk over the Battlefield and the town — -I love history and the town is close to home. But I can no longer do that. My frequent…