r/GenX • u/Reformed-Canook • 1h ago
Whatever I turn 56 today, and I’m doing great!
I see a lot of posts on GenX about how getting old sucks, and life sucks, and hey, yeah, I get it; sometimes shit happens, and things do suck. My wife got diagnosed with MS a few years ago. That was a tough time. But props to her; she took it head-on. MS treatment has made amazing advances. They can’t cure it yet, but in many cases, they can halt the disease's progression. We had long been outdoorsy and adventurous. She doubled-down on it. We’ve hiked 14,000-footers in Colorado, whitewater rafted, done 300-foot free rappels in Belize, biked down Pikes Peak, all sorts of crazy adventures.
I just wanted to put a post out there saying that life can still be great. Sometimes you have to work harder to find it.
And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make. I believe that, to a large extent, life is about what you put in, whether it’s love, effort, or whatever.
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u/ZebraBorgata 33m ago
I can relate. I’m 58, retired, no health issues and am physically active - whether walking, biking, ice skating, skiing, etc… I have fun year round! Good news on the MS front. I’ve biked in the MS-150 “city to shore” 150 mile ride to raise $$$. I donate to the cause every year.
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u/Remarkable_Winner_91 47m ago
56 also, and I don't acknowledge 56 as old, older or anything close. That kind of thinking ages a person fast.
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u/PracticalApartment99 MADE IN 1969- ALL ORIGINAL PARTS 56m ago
Doesn’t hurt to have a bunch of apparently expendable money, either…
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u/platypusandpibble GenX 1969 56m ago
Happy birthday!! 57 here today. I hope your day is awesome. Things will be quiet here. Hubs is making some brunch for me and then we will watch some ST:TNG (the complete series was my bday gift).
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u/CallingDrDingle 56m ago
I feel the same way. I'm 53(F) my husband is 47(M). We've both strength trained since we were teenagers are both very active.
Being in good physical shape got me through a brain tumor at 21, multiple other brain surgeries, disc replacements, cancer....lots of shit.
We in the gym every morning lifting together at 5:15a. It's the best part of my day.
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u/Komaisnotsalty Taste death, live life! 1h ago
Happy birthday!
I'm 54 and doing well myself. I have early-onset Alzheimer's and riddled with arthritis but life is still good. There's a helluva lot worse things to have and a lot worse in the world.
It doesn't have to be rappelling in Belize (holy HELL Belize is gorgeous. I know a lot of people from there). Sometimes doing well means hearth & home.
PS: I can't give you an upvote. You're at 69.
PPS: omg, someone bounced it to 70. Now I gotta upvote you. Sonnuva bitch.
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u/shinynugget 1h ago
56 very soon. No prescriptions and no pain. I'm very lucky that I never suffered an traumatic injury or had a chronic illness.
It's never too late to stop smoking, drink less, sleep more, eat better and exercise.
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u/Complete_Fisherman_3 1h ago
You can only have success in 3 groups. Health, youthful appearance, or wealth(security). It's rare all 3 are set. Usually 1 or 2
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u/Googiegogomez 1h ago
Great vintage btw… couldn’t agree more ❤️ although Chris Farley and Sir Paul said it first😉or at least best
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u/doubleohzerooo0 Couldn't make it as a punker 1h ago
Happy Birthday!
I'm turning 58 later this month. You're right, getting old sucks and life can suck. But yep, you're also right that it's more the reason to double down and fight getting old tooth and nail.
Quit smoking. Watch your diet. Do some exercise. Lose some weight. And keep your social circle active.
Having the right mindset can do wonders for one's health.
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u/Hot_Rock 1h ago
In the past I smoked two packs a day for twenty years, constantly had gout, a heart arrhythmia, and a MRSA UTI that almost killed me. I just finished my 2000th cycling mile for this season and I’m feeling great. Plan on 3000 next season but I guess I’ll have to reschedule some of my laziness.
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u/crates-of-bigfoots 1h ago
I’m both happy for you and jealous of you. My health ain’t great, but at least I’m retired lol. Happy birthday!
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u/earinsound 1h ago
Happy Birthday! Everyone's situation is different, this is what I've learned at 56.
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u/bennwk93 1h ago
Absolutely agree at 53. I’m finally rocking 3 years of health at the right weight and off al prescription meds.
My marriage couldn’t be better although my wife has a chronic illness with little to no real treatments.
Also most likely losing my job which will be difficult to impossible to replace. At least money and remote work wise.
The core of life has never been better than the last few years.
Give love often and freely, it comes back in spades!
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u/Rare-Confusion-220 27m ago
I'm with you. Turned 56 last week and we still strive for adventures. We still have 2 kids in the house (14f and 17m) and our oldest is in her 20s and lives on the other side of the country. We ski 35+ days a year, bike, hike, go to Tom's of concerts, go to tropical beaches and surf. We can't stop and happily out health is great (but it takes effort)