Was it a big deal when you turned 50 like a sad day

I'm 48y 5m old, so the spectre of 50 has been there for a year or so already. I do tend to "round up to 50" whenever I think about age and position in life.

I'm neither sheltered nor have I really lost anyone. My parents were 17 when I was born, my dad's parents were like 21 when he was born, so even though I'm almost 50, I have 3/4 grandparents alive, every single good friend, parents, siblings.

However, several people in my family have been experiencing health issues, and I think my 50s are going to be depressing in the number of deaths I have to deal with.

Other than that, I don't think 50 will be too bad. I got really down around age 44, it was when I realized I was almost certainly closer to death than life, and unless I die suddenly late in life, then part of that will probably be spent not in great health.

I'm hoping that advances in genetics and things like CRISPR become common and affordable before I get too old to benefit.

I was planning a big ski vacation and a big party for my 50th. I had a new baby when I hit 40 and had a very low key 40th birthday. So, 50 was going to make up for it. Then COVID hit and my 50th was in the middle of the big fall/winter wave of 2020. There were restaurants open for take out and I got a steak that I had to nuke to get it back to an edible temperature. And that was it. No big vacation or anything else.

50 stinks. After doing a very good job staying fit and healthy through my 40s, 50 is just a brick wall. Eyesight gone, have to pee in the middle of the night, can't eat at a nice restaurant without gaining 2 lbs, one wrong move and I am lying on the floor for two days straight with back pain, all movies and music seem derivative and boring, work is awful with 15+ years until retirement (if that soon) and I can't even get drunk without waking up after 2-3 hours with my stomach going nuts trying to process all the sugars. At 50, you realize that the die is cast and you are just going to have to grind it out until you retire. And then you will be too old to do all the big adventures that you put off to save money, buy a house, have kids, etc.

The only thing that really changed on my 50th was that I told myself that from then on it was ok to walk a little during a run. Same thing now that I'm 70. I'll say it again in ten years and then again in twenty.

Good discussion, maybe proof the trolling crap threads on LR are the younger demographic. :)

I'm 49 and not too worried about it. In most ways I'm doing better vs. turning 40 fat, dumb, and happy. Now 4 years after a divorce I'm in shape, experienced, and wise. I'm upbeat about my running and more miles than ever, I was a competitive swimmer and then triathlete, now focusing running only.

The next few years will be exciting watching my daughter compete. I have a great girlfriend who runs with me. Still exciting opportunities with business.

For those burnt on the running or injury problems I recommend hard hiking/climbing. I got into bagging Colorado 14'ers about 5 years ago. It's a good transition from strenuous "marathon" type training. Runners make good climbers, no one is taking times or handing out medals, not as hard on body, beautiful peaceful experiences, and still that old satisfaction after a hard day.

Don’t wait to have your big adventures. I have a neurologist friend who spends lots of time with couples that had put off their big trips to retirement then one of them got early dementia and the dreams of big plans for retirement were shot.

Don’t bankrupt yourself young, but just go to the Caribbean now if that’s your dream.

Some things are kinda sad, but in general i had a really nice celebration.

I think 30 was more difficult

Hey, yard work is exercise. I put every inch of it on my strava account in the running section.

No, it was an exciting day since I finally reached financial independence at that time. I kept working for a bit afterwards, but 100% of my take-home pay was going to entertainment and not to necessities.

Similar thing for me. We were planning a big trip to Europe for my 50th, but Covid wiped that out (travel restrictions made it impossible). It was very much a <sad trombone> moment. Haven't done anything big to make up for it, yet.

Should be great (50)!

60 feels a little more somber

I don't deserve the thanks. Despite everything I threw at you, you made it. Take a bow. Oh, and, I will remember to bless you.

You don't like country music? Not any of it?

This sounds awful.
I am glad I went a different route and did stuff when I could. As a teenager I realized already that you can't wait until retirement until you start doing things.

I like birthdays. It beats the alternative. I'm 57 and just as fast as I was at 50. It is fun to find ways to NOT slow down!

What are you taking?

On the plus side, you get to join the AARP

50 is hard, you REALLY do feel your age. Recovery takes longer, I am an " in shape" 50 year old and if I spend all day on my feet I feel it. Just being ambulatory for 8 hours wasn't something that would have made me tired, but now I feel it big time. I wont even talk about how bad the "running" gets.

But on the even worse side of things is the loss. You are of the age where you and your peers will lose parents, co workers, and even some of your less healthy or less lucky peers. It's so bad that I am in the process of buying a new black suit just for funerals. Ive been to so many I feel like I need at least two.

You can see the end. Your mortality becomes very clearly defined. Like it or not you probably have 25-30 years left to live, and you are going to be struggling with your own health concerns during those last years, as well as limited mobility, and even more reduction in energy.

Jesus Christ, this post about gave me a panic attack. Somebody please post some happy thoughts

I will be 51 in a week. I took a 4 day weekend when I turned 50 and just relaxed. It was nice.
My age doesn’t bother me; I am as fast or faster in some distances than I was in my 20s. I am in better shape than pretty much anyone my age I know.

I have very little financial stress which is nice as most of my 30s and 40s this was not the case.
Something was different about 50 though. All of a sudden it made me feel like retirement wasn’t that far away and I guess just knowing most would consider me “older” made it hit a little different.