The struggles I'm facing in my 50s are medical and the emotional ramifications. 😩.
Struggles I'm facing in my 50s that I didn't have in other decades:
Kids growing and moving out
Husband deciding that he wanted a divorce
Age discrimination - I had to lop ten years off my resume, use a .edu email address rather than my old yahoo one that I've had for years, and stress that I have a clue about social media, just for a hope of getting a job.
Wrinkles! Grey hairs keep on sprouting! What's up with that?
But also:
I know what I really want out of sex and relationships, and I'm not afraid to pursue all of that, which would not have been true in my 20s
I know a lot more about myself spiritually.
I have a full tool box of proven ways to deal with emotional issues.
oh yeah hair every where but on the head
@stewy
preach, my brother!
the challenge for me in my 50s is that realisation that your middle aged, really no escaping it now. and I think about the grimm reaper more, does that intensify as you get even older?
@stewy
I hear you, and I feel likewise. I keep hearing the clock ticking when it seems like not so very long ago I was a college girl with my whole life ahead of me.
Since I am over 60, is it still cool to post in the over 50's forum? Technically, I am over 50....it's just that I am over 60 as well. And so far there's not a lot of people posting in the over 60's threads.
So....this is just an intro and welcome and a reaching out to the over 50 bunch.
Challenges? As I posted in the over 60 group, my husband of 22 years died suddenly when I was 57. It has posed the most serious challenge of my adult life. And I am still working on getting emotionally stable, and trying to find some purpose and deep pleasure in life again.
I'm so grateful that we all have this opportunity to connect. I look forward to seeing you all around the site. 
Thanks @Laura, for putting these forums up! This is a great idea. Hope to see a whole lot of posts before too long!
I am having serious relationship problem. The woman I have adored since 1998 has up and left w/out a notice and refuses to communicate.
@norcal that sounds very upsetting and stressful. did this happen out of the blue?
@KrinkTheMellowUnicorn
Yes it did, we spent the night before talking on the phone and how much we loved each other, she said how much she missed me and wanted to cut her trip short.. we said our love you's and went to bed.. that is the last I have heard from her. I learned the rest thru "the grapevine"
@norcal - wow, sounds like somerthing serious happened. i'm really sorry to hear this.
@KrinkTheMellowUnicorn
it is killing me. every day gets a bit worse.. i am going down my rabbit hole. :(
@norcal - ugh... somehow you need to take care of yourself first at this point... survive this, thrive, then figure out what is needed to heal.
i'm sure that is cold comfort...
@NorCal
How unbelievably painful for you. My heart goes out to you.
These are the words I
Hi. New member here. Have not shared this publicly before, but for the last few years I have had a 'slow burn' traumatic thinking about getting older. Lately it seems to have developed into a mild form of depression. Maybe its just mid life crisis. I don't think I fear death, but am struggling with all the negative things that seem to come with ageing, if that makes sense. Its weird-- mentally I don't feel 59 years old, and health wise I am in good shape. Heck I don't even look 59. I have a good job, good health, good kids-- maybe becoming a grandfather a few months back has escalated this negative thought process. I have much to be thankful for, so I am stumped where the origin of my thoughts are coming from. But they are real, and I know better to recognize that instead of discounting them. Some negative inner thinking track has been stirred up and needs to be corrected if I am going to be happy ( or happier) in this next phase of my life. So I am writing this down in the hope that some others have 'been there' and maybe have some wisdom to help me on my path to hopefully dealing with this. Thanks for reading if you got this far lol
@Laramie
Maybe I should add that my job of 25 years ended 18 months ago, and I have been thinking that this 'slow burn' I mentioned in my earlier post might have started about the same time? I have found a new job. But the fear of being in my mid 50's and out of work surely was realized this past 18 months. My new job is satisfying, but not as financially rewarding as my previous one. But the more I think on it, the more I come to the conclusion that the traumatic loss of my quarter century livlihood likely triggered this current depression. But its odd-- the new job I finally obtained is good, but I am still struggling with what I am feeling at this stage of my life. Any way, like I said earlier-- I am not going to discount that these are real feeling and judge myself inapproprialtely. For a higher sense of happiness I need to get at the root cause of all this.
@Laramie
New here - my virgin post lol
I have been on a slow burn too for last couple years. The stage before the slow burn was the stuck stage. I'm a widow and just launched my triplets off to college. I've been raising them on my own since they were very young. My house is on the market and I'm ready to jump ship from the organization I've been at for 27 years. I took a lessor job right after I lost my husband. Gave up income to have a normal life and be around for my kids. Now that I'm over 50, trying to climb the ranks again is proving tough - seems I'm washed up as the organization has become a swinging door for the younger professionals - longevity is definitely not appreciated. I made a decision about a year ago to go back and get another graduate degree - I'm in that program now and hope to have a new career in the next couple years. This one is a far stretch from my previous business experiences - this one is in clinical social work. I figure worst case scenario I can always start a private practice if I can't get hired on somewhere.
I'm ready to leave the area and the state! I have an older daughter and grandchildren close by but we don't have a very good relationship and she uses the grandchildren against me. So I beg to see them or FaceTime with them and about once a month she'll give in. So it doesn't seem to make much sense to hang around here for that. She loves to tell others that I live close by but never see the grandchildren, but again, I am not allowed most of the time. Would rather live a considerable distance I guess and then not feel so torn on knowing they are so close but I can't see them.
I keep hearing about the over 50 professionals taking back the career world. I don't know how exactly to get on that bandwagon or even who's on that bandwagon. But I do hope with so many of us still having so much to offer, good health, energy and compassion with sharp minds, perhaps there will be a changing tide. Because honestly, all the hobbies in the world just don't satisfy my mind - I want and need to work and make a contribution! And dating at this age sucks so I don't bother.
Sorry to write a book - but please know you're not alone on your slow burn tour!
@MsMarsy welcome!! I think the MSW is VERY cool!! I got my masters in school counseling a few years back.
Its always ok to write a book here. 😁
i understand the grandchild hurt. I dont have any but I have many friends with similar issues.
I hope you find support here!! 😊
@MsMarsy
I totally relate to everything you just said! wow
@Laramie. I
@Laura
Don't get me started Laura ! 
8 years of menopause was pure ' joy ' and now @ 56 the flashes have decided to return. Weee !
My arthritic knees. Negative negative negative libido. Alopecia from menopause, blue veins showing thru my hands and now my forehead.
Hating every second of it. Boo ! 
@gregariousEast733
surely there is something positive?! YOU can give me one positive thing!!
@Laura
After you know me one more week Laura, you'll never ask that question again. I am not the Queen of Positivity. I read an interesting article today which both horrified and scared me, and it was about 10 toxic people types you need to run away from, I am scared to death I am most of them.
Struggles in the 50s. Widowed in my 50s and starting over. Men who date much younger women are looked down upon. But tell you what. Women my age are BORING. Has nothing to do with physical appearance. Age is a number. We will feel as old as we see ourselves and allow ourselves to be. Laughter, having fun, doing stupid shit once in a while is the same at any age. So many of my friends are living their life to fit their age group and are missing out on living their life.
@Steve0399 I think youre underestimating women in there 50s! Ive never been boring a day in my life!
Hi, I'm new, I'm Amari, I'm 50 and moved to a new area a couple years ago, retired from teaching, and now I don't know what to do with my self. Last year I looked 35, this year, I look 65. I don't really have any friends. I moved, too, because I lived in the same town as my daughter and 2 granddaughers and my daughter wouldn't let me see them because of my depression. It was horrible.
@amarifey
Welcome to 7cups and we are glad that you are here. I am sorry you can't see your grandkids that would be hard. I don't have any yet but hope to hopefully within 5 years. Maybe you can check out the pleasant activities list on the web to find new fun things to do and meet people in your new town.