Fab post. Mine is looming in 2 weeks' time and like you I have pretty mixed feelings about it. Also I can't quite believe it - not because of how I look but because, well, flippin SIXTY. But the bus pass - yesss!
I am not far off the same birthday and a few things I am holding on to are short running skorts, pink camo trousers and long hair in a pony tail. I think 60 is much, much younger than it used to be so I hope it’s still ok to rock the above attire, but it is still a daunting number. As many others have said, you look fabulous at 60. I am also with you on the cosmetic improvements. No time or money for them… I hope more of us plan to age gently and without recourse to major cosmetic extras. Thanks for writing the article.
The bus pass is all and well until you are on the 1am bus back to Auld Reekie after a night cutting moves at a 60th in bowling club and the wee mannie shakes you awake from your slavver and no doubt snoring saying "the bus is away back to Glesca, get aff"
My milestone birthdays have always been pants for one reason or another (my 60th was during lockdown). This year is turning out way more fun, so I've just decided to stop counting.
Enjoying your writing. You can put Substack down as a plus of being sixty!
Laughed out loud at the ‘teeth-in-a-glass/chocolate-limes’ reference! I’m 62 so from a similar timeline, so the BHS/humpy coats and elasticated slacks brought back memories. I’d completely forgotten about bath cubes!! Up here in Harrogate there are still lots of ‘traditional’ oldies, most of them belong to my choir! I’ll try to find out what they carry in their capacious bags these days…
Fab post. Mine is looming in 2 weeks' time and like you I have pretty mixed feelings about it. Also I can't quite believe it - not because of how I look but because, well, flippin SIXTY. But the bus pass - yesss!
We can traverse the city for free and use the money saved to buy GIN
I am not far off the same birthday and a few things I am holding on to are short running skorts, pink camo trousers and long hair in a pony tail. I think 60 is much, much younger than it used to be so I hope it’s still ok to rock the above attire, but it is still a daunting number. As many others have said, you look fabulous at 60. I am also with you on the cosmetic improvements. No time or money for them… I hope more of us plan to age gently and without recourse to major cosmetic extras. Thanks for writing the article.
So far, the dread is worse than the reality. I am also enjoying working out how much money I will save with the bus pass.
I can confirm on both counts
Totally with you on all those Fiona, being three weeks into 60 myself
60 is the new 50! Except you have to be a bit more careful not to die.
The bus pass is all and well until you are on the 1am bus back to Auld Reekie after a night cutting moves at a 60th in bowling club and the wee mannie shakes you awake from your slavver and no doubt snoring saying "the bus is away back to Glesca, get aff"
I am looking forward to reaching such levels of sophistication
Those ‘old ladies’ and their purses are so well described. Provident cheques …I’d forgotten about them.
Provvy cheques were the Klarna of the 70s
Belated happy birthday, Anna!
My milestone birthdays have always been pants for one reason or another (my 60th was during lockdown). This year is turning out way more fun, so I've just decided to stop counting.
Enjoying your writing. You can put Substack down as a plus of being sixty!
Laughed out loud at the ‘teeth-in-a-glass/chocolate-limes’ reference! I’m 62 so from a similar timeline, so the BHS/humpy coats and elasticated slacks brought back memories. I’d completely forgotten about bath cubes!! Up here in Harrogate there are still lots of ‘traditional’ oldies, most of them belong to my choir! I’ll try to find out what they carry in their capacious bags these days…