Ask HN: What is it like to be old? What advice would you give to younger people?

Re:Ask HN: What is it like to be old? What advice would you ... by Lendal on Saturday September 19, 2020 @04:56PM (#24530265)

I remember when I was a teenager and wondering what life would be like at 50. Now I know.

You feel exactly the same, only with less time left. You're still you. You still feel the same. You still want to experience all the same things and achieve. But now with less time, you have to start triaging some goals and face reality.

I remember thinking I have all the time in the world. Now I don't. So I guess that's the main difference.

Also, I used to hold the illusion that I'd always have my family and parents to talk to. But that's not true either.

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Re:Ask HN: What is it like to be old? What advice would you ... by obynio on Sunday September 20, 2020 @04:46PM (#24537276)

> Also, I used to hold the illusion that I'd always have my family and parents to talk to. But that's not true either.

This. I used to think that way, then I lost my dad from cancer on my 20's. That's when you reflect on all the things you'll never be able to experience together.

Although I'm only 24 and still young, my piece of advice would be to enjoy your family to the fullest, because no one knows what tomorrow will bring.

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Re:Ask HN: What is it like to be old? What advice would you ... by srtjstjsj on Saturday September 19, 2020 @06:58PM (#24530855)

Not quite the same. Everything hurts more and used up a larger share of energy.

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Re:Ask HN: What is it like to be old? What advice would you ... by null_deref on Saturday September 19, 2020 @05:26PM (#24530428)

Oh man, I never want to lose my mom

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Re:Ask HN: What is it like to be old? What advice would you ... by AndrewOMartin on Saturday September 19, 2020 @05:37PM (#24530475)

The alternative is worse.

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Re:Ask HN: What is it like to be old? What advice would you ... by teraku on Saturday September 19, 2020 @05:06PM (#24530311)

That was me a 1 or 2 years ago, and I'm only in my mid 20s.

Just the realization that life is not limitless

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