Have you ever looked at an older person and thought, “Wow, they really must know they’re old”? Well, it turns out, that’s just one of those misconceptions flying around like an errant piece of confetti at a New Year’s party! In today’s cosmic climate, as the moon dances through the realms of self-awareness and nostalgia, let’s unravel the delightful and often humorous truth about aging from the perspective of the Boomers. Surprisingly, many of us, whether knocking on the doors of 70 or twirling in the spring of our 60s, don’t quite register ourselves as “old.” We hold onto our youthful quirks, jam out to our favorite tunes from the 60s and 70s, and often find ourselves laughing at the very notion of being categorized as “senior.” Jump in as we explore the realities of aging and unveil the funny, lighthearted secrets that younger generations haven’t quite grasped yet! LEARN MORE.

There’s so much that young people don’t realize about older folks; I know I didn’t. The obvious physical stuff about how much harder everything is in your 70s and how many body parts hurt on a given day should be foreseeable. 

In Other News..."Get Rich or Cry Trying: These 3 Zodiac Signs Are About to Cash In Big Time Through September 13!"

My parents’ generation, who came of age during the Great Depression and a world war, were old before their time. They’d often lost a parent or sibling at a young age or buried a child from diseases that are now largely eradicated. Little wonder that they embraced, or at least accepted, being old.

In Other News..."When Mama's Mayhem Molds Men: Discover the 9 Irresistible Traits That Hook 'Mama's Boys' into Unlikely Partnerships!"

We Boomers are different. It recently hit me that young people probably assume we know we’re old.

But here’s the dirty little secret that young people don’t know about aging: deep down, most of us don’t think we’re old

Ann Rodchua / Shutterstock

People our age (let’s say 65 and up) are basically the same folks we were ten or twenty years ago. “Older people” still like the same music (okay, mostly from the 60s and 70s), laugh at the same jokes, think about physical intimacy, enjoy spending time with people they love.

Interestingly, my friends and I often make self-conscious jokes about being old — probably because we really don’t believe it.

RELATED: A 90-Year-Old Woman Says These 5 Everyday Habits Are The Secret To Her Long Life — And Science Backs Her Up

Yes, intellectually, we know we’re older, or even old, but that’s not the same thing

Sometimes, it takes me a while to realize that the nice guy helping me in the train station isn’t necessarily just being nice in general; he’s probably being nice to an old lady. (As I typed those words, I wanted to say old woman and had to force myself to type old lady.)

I don’t dress like an old lady. For much of the year, I live in jeans, T-shirts, and sneakers. And I have had times — this is embarrassing to admit — when, walking past rowdy-looking young guys, I almost expected to hear an obnoxious catcall. So, yes, in my head, even if I know I’m not in my twenties, I must still think I’m just middle-aged. 

In fact, I’ve long thought that if you woke me up in the middle of the night and asked my age, I’d probably say 58. Actually, I once did that, and it wasn’t even the middle of the night.

I was in my mid-sixties at the time, waiting in line for a flu shot at work. When I got to the front to be checked in, the screener asked my age, and I immediately said 58. Then I caught myself and said, “Oh no, that’s wrong.” I’m sure she thought I’d just had a birthday and was about to say 59. Instead, I began giggling, saying, “It’s not even close!” I had a good laugh, and it took me a while to compose myself enough to tell her I was 65.

When my dad, who lived to be 94, was asked in his final years with dementia how old he was, he’d usually say 73, never more than 78. I think that reflected his awareness that he was old but surely not that old.

But some things don’t change. Just as when I was younger, I don’t want to be patronized, called “adorable” when my husband and I hold hands in public, ignored, or called “sweetie” by a stranger.

That said, I do readily acknowledge one stereotype that is grounded in absolute truth: I do not like to stay up late.

RELATED: People Who Age Incredibly Well All Seem To Have These 20 Habits In Common, According To Doctors

Carol Offen is a writer, editor, and active kidney donation advocate (she donated a kidney to her son 20 years ago). She is a co-author, with Elizabeth Crais, of The Insider’s Guide to Living Kidney Donation. A frequent contributor to diverse publications on Medium, she has also had articles appear in major print publications such as Vogue, Esquire, and The International Herald Tribune.

CHECK OUT THESE COLLECTIBLES AND MORE ON AMAZON!

BUSHIROAD Palworld Official Card Game Booster Pack Dawn of Palpagos Box (Japanese)

(42515)

$104.90 (as of September 3, 2026 18:07 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

One Piece Card Game Starter Deck ST-33 Blue Kuzan | Starter Deck, ST-33, Blue Kuzan, Trading Card Game

(5051)

$23.00 (as of September 3, 2026 17:53 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Original Simplified Chinese - Black Crystal Blaze - Slim Booster Box (CSV5C) - 15 Packs

(49546)

$43.99 (as of September 3, 2026 18:07 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Michael Jackson Bad World Tour Keepsake Premiere Blaster Box Trading Cards | 8 Packs, Authentic Worn Glove Relics, 300+ Card Set, 1/1 Cut Signature Chase, Numbered Parallels

(48523)

$29.99 (as of September 3, 2026 18:07 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Magic: The Gathering | Star Trek Scene Box - Enterprise-Q

$41.99 (as of September 3, 2026 18:07 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Michael Jackson Bad World Tour Keepsake Premiere Mini Box Trading Cards | 4 Packs, Authentic Worn Glove Relics, 300+ Card Set, 1/1 Cut Signature Chase, Numbered Parallels

(49526)

$19.99 (as of September 3, 2026 18:07 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Magic: The Gathering | The Hobbit Collector Booster Box (English Version)

(44510)

$895.88 (as of September 3, 2026 17:53 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

One Piece Card Game Illustration Box Vol. 7 (IB-07) - 4 Packs, Promos

$58.99 (as of September 3, 2026 17:53 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Kayou My Little Pony Friendship Eternal Cards, Star Edition, Series 1, Collectible Trading Cards, 16 Miniboxes, 3 CardsMinibox, for Age 8+

(4058)

$99.68 (as of September 3, 2026 18:07 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

PKMystery 100 Card Pack - Compatible with Pokémon Trading Cards, No Duplicates + 10 Foil Cards + 2 Bonus Rare Cards

(41520)

$29.99 (as of September 3, 2026 17:53 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)