Do You Ever Feel 'Older than You Are' ?

You'll get through it. Find quilters, weavers, sewing circle in nearby towns and sometime put an ad up on Craig's list.
It's midlife. Old age begins around 70 but real old age arrives around 79 these days. I have an aunt who is 100. So never think it can't happen to you.
Now in about two or three years you will be skipping and feeling great.

Yes but I always have. I think if all those things you mentioned make you happy, than you should keep doing them. Problem is, you don't seem totally happy w/ those interests & they all seem solitary. Maybe you need to start more group activities.

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Happen to turn the Duggars on last night. There was grandma Duggar
skiing. She tries everything!!!!!! She has rollerskated, JB bought her a
bike (well a three wheeler). Her dream is to skydive. She is 70. God Bless
her. So just do what you want and do not be afraid to try new things!

Yes i feel older than i am. Im not yet 30 but my interests and the age and amount of children i have put me in a group of women 8 or more years older than me.

Honestly i find most of the people i know my age to be a little immature even though they are almost 30 also, and i REALLY have nothing in common with people in their early 20s. But 35 and up is right where i feel i fit in. I really like the company of the elderly too, i enjoy being helpful AND being taught.

Btw i think your hobbies are very cool,,,,,that kind of stuff is coming back into style....its economically sound and thats very "in" right now. My 21 year old SIL and my long beard having "weird" friend, both crochet and they made me really cool, hats, scarves, doilies, baby blankets...etc...

IMO anyone who crafts is cool

Get moving and you will feel better! That's what I do. When I feel down in the dumps, I work in the yard, clean house, go for a walk, etc. and it makes me feel better.
You aren't old! I would love to learn some of the crafts you mentioned and I'm in my early 40s. Have you checked to see if there are any bridge groups in your area?
Bottom line, who cares what other people your age are doing! Do what makes you happy.

I don't think there's just 1 "crisis" people go through. I think there's a series of "puberty" type phases we go through: the 2-3 year old stage, the preteen/early teen stage, the getting out of school what the heck am I gonna do with my life quarter life crisis, the 30-something reevaluation stage (I went to a counselor and she said the percentage of clients that first come to her are overwhelmingly 35-ish), there's the dreaded 40-something that make men turn into total fruitcakes, and....it's like once a decade people start looking around and saying "Ok, what now?" It's not a bad thing to assess yourself, take stock, shed some dead weight, try new things.
As for being too young for crafts? Ummm??? Those things are NORMAL crafts once people have little kids, so you're normal. You found something you like and are sticking to. So what? And YES as someone else mentioned, they are coming back "in"--a lot of my friends have started reading books like "How to sew a button (and other nifty things your grandmother knew)". I do think that physical exercise could do wonders for your mood and how you feel about yourself. Just something about getting out in some fresh air and sun for a swim or brisk walk, even a bike ride (it doesn't have to be miles and miles like some people, just get moving) will help you feel more energized. I thought it was weird that expelling energy makes you feel MORE energy, but it's TRUE. In the meantime, I totally think you should check out some clubs in your area. The community I lived in before had bunco, bridge, sewing, and quilting clubs (also Spanish, Russian, Mandarin, cooking, breakfast, active seniors, small business networking, art, several neighborhood sports teams like softball, flag football, swim, indoor soccer and a playdate network). I'm sure every community has a club for bridge and quilting! Perhaps socializing with people who share your hobbies would be more fun. I know they're out there, or there wouldn't be clubs for them! Also, I was at a ladies Bible study for a few years where 3 out of 15 women were avid quilters, 2 did basket weaving, 10 of them at least knew HOW to sew, whether they did it often or not. A couple were beautiful bakers, a couple (myself included) were great cooks and really enjoyed that. Half were into canning (which is also becoming popular again).
I have a few friends that have gotten into crocheting, knitting, sewing, and quilting. (Me, I really seriously don't know how to sew a button, and that is not an exaggeration....but it has started becoming the "in" thing to do). Seems like social fads also go through phases: EVERYONE my grandma's age knew these things; it is how they actively supported the family, then people my mom's age rebelled and wouldn't learn them, focusing more on being "free" of the "Leave it to Beaver" stuff and going to work to actively support the family. Now the people my age are a bit in the middle, trying to figure out what works for us. But I think it's perfectly fine to follow your bliss, whatever you find interesting, stimulating, and satisfying. I like to make scrapbooks and photo books. I'm not hardcore or anything (I don't have time to be hardcore at anything because my boys are very young), but I enjoy it. I'll swing by Michaels to one of the free classes every once in awhile and there are ALWAYS women of all ages there.
And if you think you're actually in a slump: it's probably that you ARE entering a new phase (you mentioned the kids leaving the nest, and that's a good thing, but that IS a new phase even if you're happy about it). Write out a little bucket list, lol. I'm 35 and I made one at 16, and revised it at 30. You could even do a mid-year resolutions list or something. Then just start doing a little every day towards seeing that list come to fruition. That could be anything from becoming an expert in one of your hobbies, or submitting one of your projects to a contest or charity, or even making a little money from it, or pursuing a new goal. It could be anything! Just give it a think, do a little research, and start moving towards it.

I don't know, I always feel younger than I am.
I still can't believe I am my age and have 2 kids and been married 13 years.

I do those crafts too and I always have. My best friends grandma taught me how to crochet when I was 9 and I've never stopped crafting. I remember knitting in college and being called grandma, not that I didn't party too but I have to create. I can't just sit and wait or watch tv without something in my hands.

Those crafts can be solitary but they can also be super social. For knitting and crochet, are you familiar with the website Ravelry? It is the most wonderful free clearinghouse of all things yarn and a million other people of all ages obsessed with yarn. They have groups by location and this can lead to real life connections. A quick look showed me that The Crooked Stitch Quilts and Knits in downtown Rocky Mount has a Thursday night knit night. I found a local to me group on Ravelry and now I meet with them to knit twice a week, from 20s to 70-somethings.

Making things with string may have declined for a while but its really quite popular now. Yay us :-)

No ideas but im 32 and feel 52 most days. Ill get myself back someday...hopefully :)

I'm 30. Sometimes I feel younger, or I think I am younger! But other days I feel like a zombie. That could be equated to feeling older, right?

I am 25 and feel way older at times b/c I had my son at 19. But more importantly, I am always dragging along some sewing items to work on as I visit with friends. They give me hell and call me a 60 yr old woman. I'm with you that sewing is a dying art. I have one friend who is a bit condensending about it, but can she make the art with sewing that I can? no way!!!

Do what makes you happy!!! Good luck!!!

Hi Michelle,
Do what you like. Who says people of any age can't do things they like to do? That's hogwash! It's your life. Live it!! :) Jump in with both feet and enjoy the days that you have. Don't worry so much about what other people think or say. I look forward to the day when I have more time to invest in the crafts I enjoy! Right now, it is high-intensity mothering!

i've been "older" my entire life. I'm not kidding you....I was born old!

That said, it worked to my advantage early in life. I was very happy that at age 15, I could pass for 18....at 18, I was passing for 21.

But then again, when I was 25....I looked 30. ......& now I'm 48 & most kids call me Gma when I pick up my 15yo from school. Nothing wrong with being a Gma....just simply not one yet & don't want to be one anytime soon!

As for crafts, I'm a scrapbooker. You would think this is a "current" craft..... NOPE it's already dating itself. There are diehard scrappers....there are innovative ones.....& then there's me: I do basic layouts which elevate fun memories into single page works of art which are important to me, fun for other people to look at, & at some point.....will just be stored on a shelf. Kinda bothers me that my work will end up just stored!

My sons are 15 & almost 24. My older son is in the process of finding himself after battling a degenerative hip disease & going thru a hip replacemt last year. It's a slow process & it's driving me nuts. I have told him that all I want is to see him moving forward productively....& that's more than he wants at this time. But he is working with Voc. Rehab & is looking at career choices. (sigh)

At the same time, I am also looking at career choices. It is time for me to plan my future (after my daycare). Medically, I need 1 day off every 3 months for testing.....financially, I need more social security/retirement funds....& emotionally, I'm tired of other families' drama entering my home. I want my home to look like my home....& not have to live "around" the baby equipmt. It is time to brush up on my skill base & plan a future. My holdup has been .....wanting to put my older son's school needs first. The longer he delays....the longer my future is delayed & that bugs me.

To offset these feelings, I try hard to stay active with others. That might help you, too! Go for that special ed credential! Oh, & I have a friend who tutors online for a university....that might be an option for you! Hope this helps.....

Hahaha! I felt that way the first time I played Bunco!

Usually I have to remind myself of my "real" age.

Seriously...time for a vacation, maybe?

My mom began quilting in her late 60's and won a blue ribbon at the first show she entered. You never know what new interests the future might hold.

Well, I had four pregnancies in five years. Pregnancy can do a NUMBER to your body! Not to mention the loss of sleep from having newborns, and the everyday stresses... (TOTALLY LOVE MY FOUR GIRLS AND BEING THEIR MOTHER, HOWEVER!!!)

I feel MUCH older than I am. So does my husband, he's tired from working so hard. There were 5 years straight where he worked 7 days a week, (we just got him down to only 5 days a week). He calls himself an old man. I tell him "NO, we really are still pretty young!" CERTAINLY don't feel like it right now, though!

I'm 30.

By the way, we are wanting to get into a bridge club! we love jazz, and are entirely much more interested in older things. Old cars, history, old homes, furniture, etc. We appreciate those things.

Hey Michele~

Sounds like you need a new interest. I have a friend who is a Stampin'Up! demonstrator and we have a lot of fun playing with stamps, punches, ribbons. I have vowed not to buy another greeting card. I made one for my sister's birthday and am so proud of myself. :)

Another thing you might need is a little pampering! I would LOVE to treat you to an hour of pampering your skin. No cost, no obligation. With Mary Kay products, I'll indulge your hands to a three step spa treatment... make them feel like satin! Then, we'll cleanse, moisturize, and exfoliate your skin, along with a few age fighting serums... you'll feel like new! If you want to invite some of your "old" friends ;) maybe they will feel younger, too. ;)

Please visit my website and give me a call to set up the perfect time to treat yourself and your friends.

~J. Black
www.marykay.com/jblack2012
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