How old do you think you look as opposed to how old are you?

[Soph the vet]

I was looking in the mirror last night and thought about this. I seem to be stuck at 26 in my mind, but I am 40. I think I look younger than I did at 35 though because at that time I had a newborn, a toddler and a preschooler:D. I got carded at the grocery store this week,:lol:, and wondered how old I actually looked to the 19yr. old clerk?

[OneRoomHomeSchool]

Most people guess me to be about 5-6 yrs younger than I am.

[Lisa at Home]

If I've been angry, and remind myself of my mother, I think I look older.

If I've had too much salt, I am pretty sure I look older.

But, if I've been eating right, getting a bit of sun, and exercising, I look younger, and usually someone will comment to that respect.

FWIW, I agree, I look younger than when I was exhausted with babies. :iagree:

~Lisa

[Mrs. Readsalot]

I am 45 and proud of it, although I think I look older.
I have completely grey hair, although since I started coloring it a few months ago dh said I look 10 years younger....this won him major brownie points.
The autoimmune disease I have , Sjogrens, has really aged me in the last 3 years. It has done a number on my eyes and skin. People tell me I have a wonderful attitude considering what I am up against, but some days the reality that I may never be "well" again really drains me. I have learned that battling something like this is as much mental as it is physical.

[abbeyej]

People have been willing to believe I am much older than I am because of the ages of my children -- I had kids quite a bit younger than most of my "peers", so it's assumed that I'm their age. I don't know if I actually *look* that old or not.

Since I just lost some weight, I think I look younger than I did a couple of months ago (and because I've been eating such massive quantities of fruits and vegetables, my skin looks better too).

All in all, I think I look roughly my age. If someone doesn't know I have kids (or how old they are) they'll guess younger than if they know about the kids. ;)

[Remudamom]

I think I look at least my age (50) or older. I feel like I'm around 20 unless I'm on a green horse, and then I feel 80. I know for sure I'm too old to hit the ground.

[Jenny in Atl]

I have no idea... I'm 42 in so far as the years I have lived, but I don't feel it, except when I get out of bed in the morning. I can't tell how old others are once they pass about 28. Often I think I am younger than someone who is as much as 10 years my junior.
:confused1:

[lynn]

People are shocked when they find out that I am 40. So I guess I look younger. Mother is 63 and just now getting grey hair and I think I inherited that :D. I do workout and eat well so I am sure this helps. Now I feel old when I am with my 2 year old in a group of young 30somethings with their 2 year olds or worse the 20somethings that wear their regular clothes after having a baby:001_huh:. It's actually comical how idealistic they are about their babies. Mine were raised on raffi and franklin. Their big thing is baby einstien and dora. I really feel old brining my dd to the same MDO my 15 year old went to and dd has same teachers as ds and they are getting ready to retire.

[Pamela H in Texas]

I have gained A LOT of years (in the mirror) in the past 6 months (dd's kidney issue, my severe depression). However, at the hospital, someone guessed I was "no more than 20." I thought they were crazy. LOL

I would guess I look mid 20's. I don't buy anything to get carded over so I can't use that as a gauge.

Its in our genes though. My mom jokes that my kids (12 and 15) keep ruining it for her because my kids call her Grandma. Most would guess they were just her kids if they'd be quiet!

[Pencil Pusher]

People tend to assume I'm at least 30--I've got 3 dc, a degree, & (used to have) a house. And, I think it makes them tired to see someone carting around 3 dc, esp pg.

Otoh, when I was pg w #3 (um, & this one, too!), & out w/out my other dc, people always commented on my "1st baby."

So what does that mean? :tongue_smilie:

[Kelli in TN]

I am 42 and I look to be closer to 50. I am graying quite a bit and dh does not like for me to color my hair. ("The silver is so pretty." Yeah, yeah, whatever:rolleyes: )

Also, if you look closely at my avatar you will see that the skin around my eyes is very baggy.

I do look really old.

Oh well.

[Tracey in TX]

Most people believe I'm 6-8 yr younger, but I think I look older than I am. I even got carded when I bought beer for party; I was 32y/o and very pregnant! :) Go figure!

[Pretty in Pink]

i am 27. people tend to think i am much younger than my actual age however. people think i am babysitting all the time if they see my out with just one or two of my boys.

the other day i was standing less than two feet away from my boys and a woman came over to stand beside them. she asked my oldest "where's your mother?" and he said "right there!" she apologized profusely and insisted she thought i was one of the teens from the swim teen (this was at the gym).

now that i am finally starting to show a bit w/ no. 4 you should see some of the looks i get :confused:

[Tammy]

nt

[Mama Lynx]

When I color my hair, I get carded.

:D

[Holly IN]

I am 35. Due to my kids ages they think I am 39 to 42. Right now people think I am in my 40s because I haven't dyed my hair yet (I dye my hair but I am way overdue right now) without kids around. I prefer to look younger than older oh well. My own peers have very very young children. I had my children in my early 20's. So all of my friends (oldest son's friends monthers) are in their 40 (early to mid). They assume that I am their age too. When they find out they do not change their attitude towards me (thank goodness). So my kids ages are the factor here in determining my age in most cases. Holly

[WagsWife]

I feel I look at least my age of 35. A lot of people seemed surprised when I tell them my age, but I think they are just being nice :laugh:

[Sharon in SC]

All of my teen/adult life I've been mistaken for younger than I am. When I was a teenager and the oldest of 3 girls, I hated that! Now that I'm 45, I LOVE it! :-D I will say, though, that *I* see soft wrinkles in my face and cringe.... :-P

[Diana in OR]

I'm 41. I think I look about my age when I color my hair. The gray I am getting is very coarse and wiry, and difficult to cover.

My mom always looked a bit younger than her age to me. Unfortunately, :eek: I think I take after my dad's side of the family. He and his sisters all had significant gray and wrinkles by the time they were in their early 40s.

When I was in my late 20s and early 30s with babies and toddlers, I dressed a whole lot frumpier than I do now! I try to dress better than I did back then, so I think that helps.

[PrairieAir]

I'm 36. I think I look and feel about my age, but people often seem surprised. When they see me with my 17yods or 15yodd, they are completely thrown for a loop. I don't usually wear makeup. That and the way I dress may contribute to people thinking I'm younger than I am.

[cin]

I'm 43, but people are surprised when they find out. I'm not sure if I actually look younger, or it's because I have young kids (6 & 3). I am getting quite a bit of grey, but I'm not planning on coloring it. I have earned every one of them, and will proudly display my crown. Once those take over, I'll probably age quite a bit. Also, I think with my weight loss I'll have a few more wrinkles. But that's fine, I'll live longer and have a better quality of life.

[Mrs. H.]

I'm 27, but I know I look about 18. I get the strangest looks from people who see me out with 5 kids and realize that they're mine, and then they tell me I don't look old enough to have that many children, at their ages.

Dh is 33, but he looks around early 20s to me. He has several friends his age who are already thinning on top or going gray, so he looks lots younger than them.

My mom could easily pass for my children's mother (at 46), and my grandmother from my father's side was recently called my mother in public (she's 67). I guess it's good genes. :001_smile:

[Friederike in Persia]

Dh is sitting next to me, so I thought great chance to ask him: "Do I look 34, dear?" Reply::eek: a look of shock and horror. I think he confused the question with: "Do I look fat?"
Now he's saying I'm making stuff up, but he still hasn't said if he thinks I look my age, so I guess I do!
:001_smile:

[slug hollow]

This has been a topic for me this week - well more how old I feel rather than how old I look. I turned 39 this week. I'm also expecting & due in May. I'm getting worn out very easily & not able to keep up anything close to my usual pace, so I've been wondering how much I'll bounce back after baby arrives.
As for looks - I would say I'm looking 35 now. I tink I look a lot better in the summer w/ a little color in my face & not all bundled up. Winter drains me & makes me lusterless. :)

[WTMindy]

and people tell me I don't look that old (what else are they going to say?!?) I did get carded at the grocery store a couple months ago. I just laughed and told the cashier he made my week!

[Quiver0f10]

People tell me I look younger than I am, but I think they expect me to be alot older since we have 10 kids. I am 39.

[8FillTheHeart]

People are always shocked when I tell them the ages of my kids.....the say,"No way!" ;) I look a lot younger than 41. But I have always looked younger. When dh and I were first married, people were horrified thinking that we were minors.

It really bothers my dh. He actually looks older than his 42. Someone once made a comment about my being his dd. :eek: But with his new job he has lost about 15 lbs and is stress level is going down. He is looking healthier and younger.

[momtolgd]

I have continually looked younger than my age since becoming an adult. When I was in my 20's, everyone always thought I was about 16. Now that I'm 31, they guess me in my early 20's.

DH is 38, and gets guessed around 25-28...people are always shocked when he tells them about his 20 year old son!

For me it's definately in my genes...my grandma is 73, and looks 55-60...my mom is 53 and looks around 40. I used to hate being guessed so much younger, but now as a few stray gray hairs have started to pop up, I enjoy it! ;)

[Jenny in Florida]

To quote the immortal Indiana Jones: It's not the age; it's the mileage.

My hair is mostly grey, and I just hate coloring it. I'm vegan and cheap, and have just never found a product with a price I'm willing to pay that fits my ethical standards.

I don't wear make-up, for some of the same reasons but also just because I hate the way it feels on my face.

I'm overweight (and cheap) and not into spending either money or time on clothing.

This has been on my mind lately, actually. I feel like a groundhog just coming up out of my hole to peek around and notice just how dowdy I look compared to most of the other mommies with whom I interact.

Now, I just have to decide whether I care enough about it to invest time and energy (and money) in making any changes.

--Jenny

[Pencil Pusher]

I'm 27, but I know I look about 18. I get the strangest looks from people who see me out with 5 kids and realize that they're mine, and then they tell me I don't look old enough to have that many children, at their ages.

Dh is 33, but he looks around early 20s to me. He has several friends his age who are already thinning on top or going gray, so he looks lots younger than them.

My mom could easily pass for my children's mother (at 46), and my grandmother from my father's side was recently called my mother in public (she's 67). I guess it's good genes. :001_smile:

My 5th g teacher was "Mrs. H"--so I'm pretty sure you're at least as old as she was 20 years ago! LOL

[Jean in Newcastle]

I used to look much younger than my age. Now I think I look pretty much my age (maybe a few years younger). My voice though must sound really young- people on the phone still ask to speak to my mother! :D

[Whisperlily]

Hmm... I don't know. The kids do throw people off. DH and I were married young and started having kids young.

I get stuck socially, because other parents *my age* don't quite understand the older kids, and the parents with kids the age of my older children tend to assume we won't relate because I am younger than they are.

How old do I look?

[DIY-DY]

I think I look younger than I did at 35 though because at that time I had a newborn, a toddler and a preschooler:D.

Your comment gives me hope. I've got the pregnancy, the toddler, the preschooler, plus two more. I have felt so haggard this pregnancy, and every time I look in the mirror, I want to just cry. But that certainly won't help appearances, will it? :tongue_smilie:

It doesn't help that the last eight months have been filled with a great deal of worry and anger, and I've developed what I thought at first was a scar between my eyebrows (and I couldn't figure out when I'd been injured!) until I realized it's a Klingon bump from furrowing my brow so much! :eek:

Been working on my attitude. And just hoping that if I hang in there, I'll see some kind of rejuvenation eventually... I don't mind growing older. I embrace that. I just try to keep in mind the saying that before the age of 30, nature is responsible for a person's countenance, and after the age of 30, the person himself is. (I butchered that saying, and probably didn't get the age right, either - but the jist of it being that our attitudes will shape our countenances after years of bearing them. I want to keep mine warm and inviting. Or, more to the point, get it back to being warm and inviting.)

Very interesting thread. I didn't respond to every post, but I read every one, and we have such wonderfully interesting, insightful ladies here. :) I enjoyed it tremendously.

Dy

[Virginia Dawn]

Do I look 43?

[Stephanie in FL]

Honestly, I don't know. I was thinking about this the other day. Today, I turn 34. What is a 34 year old supposed to look like? I know some people think I am younger, as I still get carded, but I feel at least 34 years old, if not older. The pediatrician said today that she would never guess by looking at me that I have five children, not to mention teenagers.

I do have to say that my dad and his family has youthful genes. Everyone thinks that he is my brother, not my father and it was that way with his parents. So maybe I do look younger. Who knows!

[Musical Belle]

I hated it in high school, but now I'm glad I have a baby face! I turned 40 in December, but in my mind I am still 27. My husband looks older than I do and he's 37, so people assume I'm younger than he is. Hey, I'm not going to argue with them!

[JennifersLost]

I think my body looks younger than 39 because I'm in fairly good shape, but my face looks old to me. I just bought a book I hope will help me figure out what to do. I wear no makeup and use no products other than a mild soap on my face. I got away with it this long. Now I'm clueless!

[Whisperlily]

Do I look 43?


Wow, I wouldn't have guessed that you were a day over 42! ;)

[JennifersLost]

Oh my goodness, Virginia! I tried to give you some good rep but it won't let me. You look like a gorgeous 30 year old! I'm envious.

[abbeyej]

People have been willing to believe I am much older than I am because of the ages of my children -- I had kids quite a bit younger than most of my "peers", so it's assumed that I'm their age. I don't know if I actually *look* that old or not.

Since I just lost some weight, I think I look younger than I did a couple of months ago (and because I've been eating such massive quantities of fruits and vegetables, my skin looks better too).

All in all, I think I look roughly my age. If someone doesn't know I have kids (or how old they are) they'll guess younger than if they know about the kids. ;)

Okay, so I said all that, then today a friend said that when she met me (~3 years ago) at a home school park day, she thought I was a nanny! She said she looked at me and rolled her eyes and thought, "Oh, great! Now we've got people who have the *nanny* home schooling!" lol...

[Colleen]

I think I look 39 because I know I'm 39.:) Most of my life people have thought I'm older than I am. I've never in my life been carded, even well before I turned 21. I think that was as much about attitude as it was appearances. I think these days most people would guesstimate be to be right around 40 ~ although at times, people claim I look younger. But really, not many folks are going to say to someone, "Golly! You're only 39?! I would've sworn you were older!":tongue_smilie:

[j.griff]

I guess I look my age- which is 31. Sometimes people tell me they think I look younger than that, but I think they are just being nice. They usually say I am way too young to have a 13yod, and that I do NOT look like I have 4 kids. I don't know what a mom who has 4 kids is supposed to look like though. :confused:

[Tutor]

I am almost 36. I feel (and feel like I look) closer to 40. Most people peg me about right, age-wise, but for years people thought I was much younger than I was.

I have to lose some weight (The excess makes me feel older.) You know how they say that the first 10 pounds and the last 10 pounds are the hardest to lose? Can I just say that it sucks to have to lose 20 pounds? That means it's all hard.

[j.griff]

LOL, IKWYM. There were always a few girls in high school who just had a more mature look about them, they didn't look "old", KWIM? They could just easily pass as an adult. One time a lady I was working with asked me to guess her age, and I felt really awkward about it- I guessed what I figured was 10 years younger than her real age, but I had actually guessed 1 year older. She didn't look "old" to me, just more mature and I knew she had 2 kids.

[Mekanamom]

Hmm, I dunno. There is a pic of me in my profile. I'm 37. How old do I look?

I'm out in the sun a lot and I squint a lot, so I have wrinkles around my eyes. Aside from sunscreen (I asked about that and got some great replies! Found some Neutrogena SPF 30 that feels ok on my face; my dd likes it too!! Thanks!!) any other anti-wrinkle stuff for around the eyes?

I don't often remember to wear sunglasses; they give me headaches anyway. I hear they can also freak horses out, but mine have never seemed to mind me in sunglasses. :001_cool:

[j.griff]

Your pic is too small for me to say. Sorry, :)

[Colleen]

When I read below that you're 31 I was surprised. I assumed you were older, not based on your appearance (I've only looked briefly at one photo of you), and not based on the fact that you have a 13 year old daughter (I didn't know your children's ages). Just something about the demeanor you exude, I s'pose, seems more mature.

[elegantlion]

I did get carded when I bought cigarettes for my husband not too long ago. It made my day. I'm 40, but I don't think I look 40 :confused:. Maybe it's the hair color, or the attitude, I don't know. I don't feel 40, although I'm not sure what that is "supposed" to feel like.

Maybe I thought I'd feel more mature by now, but I still deal with random bouts of goofiness, and a slice of insecurity once in a while.

I also married an older man, he's 47, so that keeps me feeling younger.

[j.griff]

I take that as a complement Colleen. :D
I usually don't have much in common with people "my age"- and tend to get along well with older people Unless people my age or younger are more mature. I really couldn't stand it when I was in my early 20's (or younger- had dd when I was 17) and women in their 30's would discount my advice because I was "too young to know what I was talking about" :rolleyes:

[Cricket]

I'm 36 and last night was the first time I haven't been carded when buying chewing tobacco for dh. I felt old. :001_smile:

[Greta Lea]

Since my b/day in January, I've had about 3 college students be totally shocked that I'm 40. They said they thought I was 32-35yo. How sweet:)

BUT I did have an 8yo child ask me if I was my son's grandmother!!! OH, and he asked me this ON MY 40th BIRTHDAY!!!! LOL

I got the blonde highlights in my hair updated the NEXT day after that little question!LOL

*I* think I'm looking older than 40. I've not had decent sleep since September (has really gotten worse in the the past 2 months). Lack of sleep REALLY reeks havoc on your looks:(

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

I look about 5-10 years older than I am. And this week, I'm sad about it.

[AndyJoy]

I'm 26 and am often mistaken for a 17-18 year old. Since I teach jr. high on a K-12 campus, students and parents sometimes think I'm in high school when I am dressed casually for teaching PE.

What's funny is that when I was 14, people at church thought I was college-aged (though I didn't look it) because I was so poised and authoritative as an AWANA Sparkies leader. I had to clarify quite often that I was a freshman in high school!

My sister is 24, but looks 30. She manages a tanning salon (and obviously tans!) and has caked on the makeup since jr. high. She likes that people think she's older than me now, but I tell her she won't be amused when she's 35 and looks 40 and I'm 37 and look 30!

[Barb F. PA in AZ]

My oldest daughter tells me she thinks I look young for my age (39 in a couple of weeks), so I won't argue with her. Listening to your comments makes me wonder if as a whole we simply take better care of ourselves than the general population. It seems we're more likely to get the sleep we need (or sneak a nap if necessary), do daily devotions or meditation, eat whole foods, limit the processed icky stuff, take vitamins and/or EFAs, and avoid the daily stressors of traffic, rushing out the door, and working for a doofus. Oh, my day can be highly pressured at times, but it's only pressure I put on myself. I think those things can go a long way toward keeping crows' feet at bay.

Barb

[Heidi @ Mt Hope]

I actually have no idea. I'm similar to Colleen in that I think I look 33 because I am. :) I would say I do look pretty close to my age, but it might depend on how much sleep I've had, LOL. There are some days I probably look (and feel) closer to 50. The only time I feel younger is when I realize how little I know and how great are my responsibilities (to my children).

[Whisperlily]

Okay, so I said all that, then today a friend said that when she met me (~3 years ago) at a home school park day, she thought I was a nanny! She said she looked at me and rolled her eyes and thought, "Oh, great! Now we've got people who have the *nanny* home schooling!" lol...

:lol: That's funny!

I can relate a little... my DD is getting taller, and a few weeks ago when we had a girls' night out, someone really thought we were sisters. I thought they were trying to be funny at first, but as it turned out, they really thought we were! (Of course if all my other kids were with me, there wouldn't have been a question. ;) )

[Antonia]

I definitely look younger than my age of 48. I color my hair and am slim and wear youngish clothes. Lately I've been thinking of getting some lines on my face plumped. I refuse to go down without a fight!

[Barb F. PA in AZ]

:lol: That's funny!

I can relate a little... my DD is getting taller, and a few weeks ago when we had a girls' night out, someone really thought we were sisters. I thought they were trying to be funny at first, but as it turned out, they really thought we were! (Of course if all my other kids were with me, there wouldn't have been a question. ;) )

Yeah, my 17yo and I have had the same experience but I think it's because when we're alone I tend to goof off and act like an idiot. She looks 22 and I probably act like I am :tongue_smilie:

Oh, and related to that...Meghan flew from Philly to Phoenix with our cats and her younger sister who's 11 but looks 8 or 9 (she's very petite). Everyone kept referring to her as Em's mom. Boy did that make her crazy, LOL

Barb

[Jill, OK]

...my husband is significantly older, lol.

There have been times when we've probably looked closer in age (those two-toddler-at-a-time years, lol), but now that he looks about his age...I kind of seem younger than I probably am, I think, just because I'm usually next to him.

Or I could be fooling myself, I don't know.

I think I look about 35, or maybe a little less. And I'm 37. I believe I look better, a little skinnier than this, but I've also got pretty good skin (thanks, Mom)...although it would be much better, had I taken better care of it. :crying:

[Needleroozer]

When I color my hair, I get carded.

:D

Yeah, that really helps. Even without haircolor, I get carded all the time. The last time someone guessed my age, they guessed 28- I am 42. On my 40th birthday, someone asked with dead seriousness if I was turning 21. I loved that! Even overweight I look very young- always have. My mama looked 15 yrs younger than she was her whole life, up until the blindness struck. All of a sudden it was like she aged 20 yrs in about 3. Very sad, but I am extremely grateful to have inherited her youthful looks.

[LizzyBee]

When I turned 25, my sister and her family took me out for dinner, and the waiter gave me a kids menu. I looked much younger than I was until I hit mid-to-late 30's. People usually still think I'm a little younger than I actually am, but I don't look drastically younger like I used to. I hated it then, but I sure would like to look younger now!

[Plaid Dad]

I have some gray in my beard, so I'm guessing I look my age. ;)

[Tap, tap, tap]

People always guess me closer to thier own age. At work, my early 50's friend thought I was 40ish. My coworker who is in her late 20s thought I was in my late 20s too. I am in my mid 30s.




Weird but true,
Tap

[gardenschooler]

I have no idea how old I look, but I assume it's close to my age. I've had people say, "You're only (whatever age)!" and seem surprised, but it may be because my oldest dd has always looked older (she's very tall). Surely it's not because I look older!

I also had my kids at 23, 25, & 29, and it seems a whole lot of people wait until later, at least the ones I run into. I've always been on the youngish side in any group of moms with the same ages of kids.

I can't believe how young and gorgeous some of these new moms are in our hs group. They're not even really all that young, but they definitely look better than I did at that age.

[Mom2legomaniacs]

I don't know. I think I probably look a bit younger than I am. How old do you think I look?

And when I was pregnant with my first, I was "scolded" by a cashier for being way too young to be having a baby. (ummm, I was NOT young having a 1st child at all!)

[dirty ethel rackham]

People are shocked when they hear I am 44. I guess I look younger, but I see my age in the mirror. On the inside, I often feel 19 maturity wise, LOL. However, physically, I often feel 60. I can go toe-to-toe with my 78yo mom when it comes to ailments;).

[CLHCO]

It depends on how recently I dyed my hair. Honestly, it's stunning how old I get the minute I even get roots . :blink:

Mild weight gain does it to me too. I know some people with gray hair who do not look too old. I know some a bit overweight who look quite young. Not me. A bit of weight on my face and gray in my hair and I feel *so old*.