Old age without illusions: what it really feels like to be over 70
"Live your life to the fullest, relax," people often tell older people. But somehow, inside, everything is different: my joints ache, I'm stifled by loneliness, and the world's indifference is almost tangible. It's as if life has been put on hold—and it's unclear whether it will ever resume.
I'm 74 years old. I have a roof over my head, my children are alive, and I have no serious illnesses. But old age isn't those sweet pictures of grandmothers in headscarves, reading a book by the fireplace with a knitted scarf. It's a different stage of life, one rarely talked about honestly.
1. Time begins to flow differently
Young people think old age is like a perpetual vacation. But in reality, it's quite the opposite. Every day is like the last, and the morning begins not with vigor, but with a check: where does it hurt today?
Back, knees, arms—even if you turn over awkwardly at night, you'll pay for it with pain during the day. Gradually, you get used to it: the pain becomes a background noise, as if it's just how it should be.
According to statistics, 70% of people over 65 suffer from chronic pain. And we learn to live with it: we know which pills help, what exercises to do to get at least some relief.
But even simple things become a challenge. A visit to the clinic is a real event. Lines, tired faces, irritation all around. It's not because people are mean—it's just that we move more slowly, think longer, and in the hustle and bustle of the big city, this irritates those around us.
2. Old age makes a person "invisible"
The most painful thing is the feeling of being invisible. Teenagers push you in the store without noticing. On the bus, they'll give you up their seat as if they're doing you a favor.
