What has surprised you about getting older?
By Fleur
@Fleura (30358)
United Kingdom
September 26, 2023 3:25am CST
One thing that has surprised me is how much people continue to change and develop (as people I mean, not physically) with age. I used to think that once you reached about 30 that was it, you were properly ‘grown up’, but now I look at people that age and they seem awfully young and naïve.
I remember when older friends or relatives used to look at us ‘youngsters’ when we complained about getting old, and tell us we seemed so young from their perspective – but I never realised that they meant more than just thinking that 25 or 30 is old or young in terms of numbers.
Another surprise for me has been how one’s body changes in unexpected ways. And I don’t mean getting creaky joints or poor eyesight (although I’m not looking forward to those eventualities).
I have been surprised to find that my ears have grown bigger! I always had neat little ears; now I feel that they are sticking through my hair like an elf (but less attractively). This isn’t helped by the fact that my hair is also getting a bit thinner.
What about you?
All rights reserved. © Text copyright Fleur 2023.
17 people like this
17 responses
@LadyDuck (471373)
• Switzerland
26 Sep 23
It is not correct that the ears grow. Our nose and ears change getting older, not because they grow, but it is the effects of skin changes and gravity. I have not changed a lot through the years. What has surprised me is that I am still flexible as I was when I was 40. I remember my Mom and my mother-in-law needing help to go in and out the car. I jump in and out as I always did, no need of help.
4 people like this
@LindaOHio (178225)
• United States
26 Sep 23
When I got married at 22 I thought I was mature. How silly I was! I have had major changes as I've aged...none good. Nothing I can do about it though. Have a good day.
2 people like this
@Fleura (30358)
• United Kingdom
27 Sep 23
@LindaOHio Yes. I think 29 is too young! How did the marriage go?
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (178225)
• United States
27 Sep 23
@Fleura Do you think 22 is too young? My hubby was 29. It was time for him to move out of his mother's house.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (47285)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
26 Sep 23
I'm surprised that I'm not half the man I used to be... 
2 people like this
@much2say (55584)
• Los Angeles, California
26 Sep 23
I find that some people just never grow up 
.
Sometimes I look at any younger-than-me adults and think of them as "kids" 
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In my culture, they say big ears means a long life 
.
When I was "young", getting older seemed sooooo far away. And now that I'm "here", it seems like my youth is so far away . How did we get to this age - it's mind baffling 
.
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Sometimes I look at any younger-than-me adults and think of them as "kids" .
In my culture, they say big ears means a long life .
When I was "young", getting older seemed sooooo far away. And now that I'm "here", it seems like my youth is so far away . How did we get to this age - it's mind baffling .1 person likes this
@xFiacre (12973)
• Ireland
26 Sep 23
@fleura I’m so glad not to be in my 30s anymore. My grandfather got a growth spurt in his ears and they were enormous. And noses can grow. When I worked in A&E reception an elderly gent came in with an enormous, red, angry looking hooter and silly me said “Are you here about your nose?” He said “No my wife’s just been brought in by ambulance. Can you tell me where she is?”
2 people like this
@allknowing (136150)
• India
27 Sep 23
In my case I have put on weight. I used to be slim and I do not much like it specially the belly fat.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (106039)
• Marion, Ohio
26 Sep 23
I don't think our ears change. It just seems that way as your hair is getting thinner
1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69373)
• Germany
26 Sep 23
I'm quite surprised or rather shocked about this post. I'm old but I look more or less the same as I did years ago. My ears and my nose haven't grown. I only have more wrinkles. My hair is a bit thinner now. But as I had thick hair in my youth, it doesn't matter.
1 person likes this
@Dena91 (16587)
• United States
26 Sep 23
What surprises me about getting older is how fast it comes to be.
I was teaching our ladies Sunday school class and talked about age. I told them it seems like only a couple of years ago that I graduated high school. Next month is our 40th high school reunion.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137257)
• United States
26 Sep 23
Thank goodness I don't have to worry about thinning hair or my ears sticking out! My ears are flat against my skull and I'll never go bald... But my nose has continued to grow as I've gotten older... It doesn't really fit my face anymore, in my opinion. I don't like it.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41394)
• United States
26 Sep 23
Very interesting post. I guess I'm old compared to most, but in some ways I feel younger. But this past year has aged me a lot and still is. But God is merciful.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339658)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Sep 23
I can appreciate so much more what my Mum was going through in her later years.
They say your ear-lobes never stop growing but I didn't know about ears. Becoming a bit deaf is turning into a real annoyance and I avoid crowds as much as possible.
1 person likes this
