Hi folks,

I'm 41, 42 in june. I've always had a hint of hippie, but always kind mixed with something else. (I went to england in 85, and I remember hanging out with some kids there, we coined the term hippie-punk for ourselves)

I'm one of those people who really likes to do young things, so I usually have a lot of freinds in thier 20s - but lately I've been feeling the separation from this like I haven't felt before. 3 years ago I felt no different from the people I went to parties with, and they felt the same too. but in the intervening 3 years, I became the primary caregiver for a relative with alzhimers. That has taken a lot out of me. and another thing, when I was 21, I knew I would still look & feel like the same person at 26. I know that when I'm 46, I'm going to look different, probably feel different.

Has anybody here felt this same kind of separation from thier younger friends? I wish more people my age like to stay up all night dancing, get together with friends & play music, yada yada yada --

Just - ah - I got it, I think I've just become a baby in the second half of life, and just wanted to say hi & see what thoughts people have on this.

I don't know how many folks have similar experiences, but you aren't the only one. I too have always had younger friends. It was true in my 30s, 40s and here I am at 59 and it's still true.

To me it makes sense, I still care about the same things, still like the same music, etc. In fact, as the years have rolled by, I've become truer and truer to my inner self. This doesn't mean I haven't added new things to care about, music, etc.... after all, who thought much about global warming 35 years ago.

And I'd bet that 5 years from now, you will look & feel different than now. You probably look & feel different than 5 years ago, but not to worry, I believe that's called growth.

Peace,
poor_old_dad

I don't know how many folks have similar experiences, but you aren't the only one. I too have always had younger friends. It was true in my 30s, 40s and here I am at 59 and it's still true.

To me it makes sense, I still care about the same things, still like the same music, etc. In fact, as the years have rolled by, I've become truer and truer to my inner self. This doesn't mean I haven't added new things to care about, music, etc.... after all, who thought much about global warming 35 years ago.

And I'd bet that 5 years from now, you will look & feel different than now. You probably look & feel different than 5 years ago, but not to worry, I believe that's called growth.

Peace,
poor_old_dad


what poor_old_dad says is completely true layla. i am close to his age and still think of myself in the same way i did 30 years ago. i went through the same ackward period around the age you are now, where you start to think.."oh maybe i shouldn't be hanging out with people half my age" and "where are the other people my age who think this way". unfortunately for you, most people of that age are now married, have kids and that puts them in a whole other category and makes the separation more complete if you don't have/want (?) these things. the nicest part about being even older than you are is being able to say "screw it". it's harder now to find people who want to do the things i want to do. but they are out there and they are all ages. my mom is 81 and plays tennis 4 times a week with people in their 40's and 50's. i believe thinking young will keep you young, maybe not physically but definitely mentally. the only thing i refuse to do is be one of those older people who dresses as if they think are still 25. the reality is i know i'm not that age but that doesn't stop me from anything i want to do. the mind set is just not caring what others think and finding like minded friends.

Hi dad & deezee - thanks for responding. It certainly feels hard to meet like minded people my age - I'm keeping my eyes open - (& posting on this board!)

I think, and hope, that gulf I feel between me & the sort of people i once related to so well has more to do with the recent circumstances of my life and how they affected me, than with a permanent and complete transformation - but just senseing that gulf has been making me feel sad.

It's nice to hear other people's stories about this.

L

Hi Layla.I can definately relate.I'm older than Dad and deezee and I pretty much run around with my kids.All my old friends are(shudder!) repubs and still listen to 50s music.We DO NOT discuss politics!I haven't ever seemed to run with people my age--they're so damned --well--old.

I'm 57 this year, and since 1969 my main friends have been young people, first in the village NY and now in Boston Mass. Since I'm a guitar player and rocker I feel that time seems to be a fan of rock & rollers and hippies, and passes slowly for them.... except for Keith Richards.:)