Does being referred to as middle-aged stop at 60?
So I turned 60 this week, and I have been told that the description ‘middle-aged’ is no longer fitting for my new decade!
Whilst my knees may be creaking, I don’t feel any different from last week. I do joke though, as for my 50th Birthday I climbed Kilimanjaro and for my 60th Birthday treat, I visited the tulips at Keukenhof!
Tulips at Keukenhof!
I can’t be called a pensioner, as my pension age is not until I reach 67 but I can get a Senior Railcard!
The idea of what constitutes middle age has shifted over time, and with advances in healthcare and longer lifespans, it’s becoming more common for people to view middle age as a longer stage of life. One question that often arises is whether turning 60 marks the end of middle-age or if it’s possible to continue being considered middle-aged beyond this age.
While there’s no clear-cut answer to this question, many people view 60 as a transitional age where they move from middle age to what is often referred to as the “young old” stage. This stage is characterised by individuals who are still active and engaged in life, but may experience some physical and cognitive changes as they age.
However, it’s important to note that age is just a number, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to when someone stops being middle-aged. Factors such as health, lifestyle, and personal outlook can all influence how people view themselves and their age. Some may continue to feel middle-aged well into their 60s or even 70s, while others may feel they’ve moved beyond that stage earlier in life.
Ultimately, the way we define and experience middle age is highly subjective, and there’s no set age at which it definitively ends. As people continue to live longer and remain active and engaged later in life, the concept of middle age may continue to evolve and shift in the years to come.
What are your views? Does being referred to as middle-aged stop at 60? What do you think a good description of being between 60 and 70 is?
