Mixed up

My birthday is in January too and I wish it wasn't! Nobody has any money, weather is dire and dark evenings. But as to age, there's nothing you can do about so it's pointless to dread it. It's only a number after all. As holly says, remember the free scrips - this is the main benefit for me! (Don't get a bus pass till I get state pension in 2019. You might like to check that. Don't get me started on the shift in pension age..........)

I have just turned 70 and was so grateful to get there as some people are denied that privilege.

First of all, sorry your birthday is so near Christmas, my kids are early in New Year and I don't think they've forgiven me yet.

Turning 60 is the best, honestly. It's a kind of staging post to being back in control of your own life, completed when you retire. You're allowed to say that you're doing something because you feel like it.

Good luck with sorting your celebrations in New Year, and definitely have a barbeque in the summer for your Queen extra birthday.

You never get the lost time back with your daughters. Get yourself of to Dublin and have a ball.

60 isn't old by any stretch of the imagination Nanano, although I suppose this isn't a good time to be celebrating with everyone being so busy. I'm now 61 and a widow (10 1/2 years) I enjoyed my 60th birthday nothing fancy, meals with people who are important to me and spread out over 2-3 weeks. My birthday is always bittersweet as my wedding anniversary would have been the same day. 60 is just a number and as my grandad used to say 'you're only a day older than yesterday'

Nanano
hope you're feeling a bit happier now.I'm not sure why you pulled out of the Dublin trip,but Ireland is a lovely place to visit,maybe you should consider it,it doesn't have to be Dublin.I must admit,I haven't enjoyed my 60s much,but that has had more to do with my husband's health,he's in a care home now,which brings its own problems.I'm still active and use my bus pass a lot,I don't feel old,though I probably look it.Try to keep positive ,and plan something nice to look forward to.

I am not a 'party person'. When I turned 70 my daughter threw a surprise lunchtime party and invited my brothers and their families. I love that our families feel very close, and it was a really lovely occasion.
As for being old, I'm as immature as I ever was!!!!

Hi

I saw a quote which really inspired me to stop dreading things I cant control.
"Never regret getting older, it is a privilege denied to so many people"

My birthday is on Christmas Eve and as well as everyone being very busy, we have sometimes found local restaurants are closed. At 74 coming up 75, I've got used to it and it doesn't bother me. When I was a child, I liked it sometimes because I could put both together and have a big present. I remember one year in my teens I had a left shoe for birthday and the right one on Christmas day.

Cheer up all you young Grans! My eldest daughter was 60 in the summer - doesn’t look it and is starting a new career with her husband breeding labradors on their farm! I walked part of Hadrian’s Wall (slowly!) at 85. There’s a lot of life left to live - so keep positive! I am lucky and have the gift of good health but do care for my disabled husband but family help where they can. My dear Dad used to say “play the cards you are dealt”!

My son's birthday is tomorrow and he will be 40. He hates any fuss and he is not looking forward to being 40 and I think like others with birthdays close to Christmas he always feels he misses out. I've always made a point of never giving him a joint birthday/Christmas gift as I hate that kind of thing and we always celebrate his birthday and go out to dinner and this year his friends surprised him with a small 40th party, which he wasn't too happy about.

Our daughter in law has booked them a long weekend in Bad Harzburg in Germany as my parents met there and she thought it would be a nice gesture for my son to visit the area my mother spent the war years in, but still he's not impressed, bless

Nanano - on your birthday you are one day older than the day before. Why stress about a number?

I agree with MOnica and you appear very dissatisfied with your life and I can't believe that being 60 is the root of it. Get out of your doom and gloom and be a good Samaritan. Forget about me me me Give your services to the unfortunate this Christmas.Look up the various organisations that give Christmas to those who unlike yourself have no one. Hopefully it will make you realise what you are complaining about pales into insignificance.

I was dreading being 60. I retired and life changed dramatically. My daughter had very premature twins and had to back to work while they were still very delicate, so I had hands on childcare for two until they went to school. I’ve started kickboxing and got my fourth belt last night. I’ve done some modelling in the national press, changed my frizzy dark hair to a smooth blonde bob and have just had my teeth whitened which look fab. In two years for my seventieth, yes my birthday is near Christmas too, one of my kickboxing friends is going to give me a tattoo. My sixties have been amazing. I’m sure you’ll love yours.

I know how you feel. My birthday is at the end of next week, although I’ll be 59. I also share my birthday with my son - not good planning there! My birthday never feels special because you can’t go out for a nice dinner because everywhere is full of Christmas parties. People often can’t joun me because of work dos, family commitments. I do understand all that, but it does take the edge off things.

At least we weren’t born on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. That would be worse.

Regards being 60, my philosophy now is that you can’t fight ageing. Embrace today because in 5, 10 years’ time, you’ll look back and wish you looked/felt like you do today! At least we’re still here. Lots of people don’t make it to 60 so I guess we’re lucky.

Hope you have a fun day when it comes. Incidentally, I dreaded my 50th but I ended up having a wonderful day. It was low key but special.

Not any more?
I did although I didn’t retire until I was 62.

And just to put the top hat on the business of turning 60 that Nice Georgie Osborne arranged for us to be made to wait another 6 years for our State Pension......

Mawbroon I wish you were right but you don't stop paying NI at 60!!
Nanano I really hope you have a great birthday and enjoy being 60.

Being 60 is better than the alternative ....

Understand completely .If anyone sends a card with a number I am upset. I hate birthdays and this year in particular. I managed to stop a celebration for being 70, I never want to be the centre of attention. It all the others who feel they have to do it for me.
I am just as happy with a quiet coffee out with my husband.
I love running my own business. I know its just a number but that is how I feel. Let everyone else go and party but please leave me out.

My daughter's first baby is due on Christmas Eve! Not what they planned but I'm sure we will always make sure he has special attention.

Holly. I hope that your sister isn't looking forward too much to her bus pass if she lives in England. I'll be 63 next week but the rules were changed when they raised the state pension age so I won't get mine until I reach 66 in another 3 years time. However, we do get free prescriptions at 60. (I think the rules may be different in Wales, Scotland and N Ireland though!)

Nanano, I really sympathise with you. I am also 60 next week. Having a birthday so close to Christmas has always had its problems as others have already stated. I too am struggling and can’t stop crying all the time and it’s not even here yet. We are estranged from our only DD and only GC and I do think, for me this is the underlying problem as to why this is hitting me so hard. I just wonder if you have something else going on and you feel a little down and 60 feels more significant than 59.. There life changing milestones looming, retirement for one... so lots going on in our heads.
Thank you for posting because some of the replies are good advice that I could use to.
Happy birthday, hope you enjoy it whatever you do xx

Get a t-shirt that boldly says “ it’s taken me 60 years to look this good” and strut !!
Better to be over the hill than under it ?

My birthday is in the middle of the summer; in the school holidays so no parties as a child. It seems no time is right for birthdays. When I was 60 I wanted a party as my son is almost to the day 30 years younger, so of course I thought we could have a joint celebration. Oh no he didn't want to share his 30th with his Mother! In the end neither of us had a party because he couldn't afford one and everyone was on holiday.
After these experiences and the fact my husband always forgets I decided to have my own celebration. I buy a special present and make sure I go out for the day, if others want to join me they are welcome but I stopped waiting for others to make my day.
I am now 64 and have enjoyed every birthday since. I even look forward to it.