If you had called me middle aged at 40 I would have been a bit sad but I would have accepted it. At 47 I think it is perfectly appropriate to call me middle aged, in fact I call myself that and roll my eyes when my 51 yo husband balks at it.

It's like art or wealth- to a certain extent in the eye of the beholder.

50 is the youth of old age. I like that

I am 49 and if say 47 just felt it. My Grandmom is 95 so one can hope

0-25 young age
25-75 middle age
75+ old age

Amazin wrote:I think middle age begins when you become an empty nester. 45? 50? 55? That is the point when you have completed the major part of child rearing and turn to your spouse and say "what's next"? A whole new phase of life begins.

Oh good, I won't hit middle age until I'm 61. I hoped having kids late would keep me young!

45 -65 is middle age according to the US government.

Amazin wrote:I think middle age begins when you become an empty nester. 45? 50? 55? That is the point when you have completed the major part of child rearing and turn to your spouse and say "what's next"? A whole new phase of life begins.

I will be an emptynester around 59. However I think I still won't feel like its a new phase of life until DD is out of college around 62. Then I can even contemplate retirement!!

I have just started to feel middle aged now. I'm 49.

When you are able to envision your life after your kids leave for college

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep raising the age that I consider middle age the closer I get to it. I am 38 and I currently have it set at 50. When I was a teenager I had it set at 40. Methinks at 48 I will raise it to 60, lol

Why are you posting on a 50+ board at age 38?

I gain a lot of perspective out here, that's why.

I think middle age begins when you become an empty nester. 45? 50? 55? That is the point when you have completed the major part of child rearing and turn to your spouse and say "what's next"? A whole new phase of life begins.

Anonymous wrote:So when does middle age end? Asks the 52-year-old.

It seems to me, middle age ends when the focus goes from living life to survival/staying healthy.

It varies from person to person.

Young: you (feel like you) can do anything with minimal consequences

Middle ages: You worry about the consequences; you can do things, but will have to deal with things. (i.e., I am going to be sore tomorrow).

Old: You can't do things because of the consequences...

So when does middle age end? Asks the 52-year-old.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Middle age is 30 to 50. After 50 you are not middle aged, you are old.

Says the 21-year old.

Lol, this is hilarious. Thank you.

My 50s were my best decade, ever. Life is settled in some ways and you have a stronger platform to build from. You know who you are and who your friends are. With any luck, you're more established in your career and doing good work. You've learned to want what you have a little more. And as others have noted, you get real about what you're supposed to look like at this age.

When I see 20- and 30-somethings out in full battle gear, I just think - all that hair straightening! It looks like a lot of work.

Anonymous wrote:I keep raising the age that I consider middle age the closer I get to it. I am 38 and I currently have it set at 50. When I was a teenager I had it set at 40. Methinks at 48 I will raise it to 60, lol

+1