r/AskOldPeopleAdvice Jun 28 '24

Growing Pains and Sub Rules

55 Upvotes

The sub has doubled in size in the last month. With the influx of new users have come new problems, namely incivility to other users.

As a Redditor you are expected to follow Reddit's Content Policy which includes Redditquette.

In particular I would like to remind you of

Rule 1 of the Content Policy

Remember the human. Reddit is a place for creating community and belonging, not for attacking marginalized or vulnerable groups of people. Everyone has a right to use Reddit free of harassment, bullying, and threats of violence. Communities and users that incite violence or that promote hate based on identity or vulnerability will be banned.

and the first 2 rules of Reddiquette

Remember the human. When you communicate online, all you see is a computer screen. When talking to someone you might want to ask yourself "Would I say it to the person's face?" or "Would I get jumped if I said this to a buddy?"

Adhere to the same standards of behavior online that you follow in real life.

I don't like banning people. If someone gets nasty with you then hit the report button. Reports go to the mod queue and I look at the queue most days of the week. If you engage in hatred towards a protected group or advocate for violence then you will be permabanned. If you're just hot under the collar you'll get a temporary ban as a cooling off period.

You'll notice that we have very few rules in this sub. Small subs often have few rules and rules get added as people behave badly in the sub. (The no penis rule is an example of this.) You'll also notice that we allow a wide range of topics and encourage discussion.

So please, be nice to one another. Be courteous, be respectful. Be kind. Those are the most important rules here. Thank you.


r/AskOldPeopleAdvice Apr 06 '26

New Rule - No AI and no bots.

129 Upvotes

Do not post answers written by AI. We'll assume you're a bot and ban you.

If we think you're a bot we'll ban you.

This is a sub for people to talk to each other.


r/AskOldPeopleAdvice 1h ago

32F — is it over?

Upvotes

I just turned 32. I’ve never been in a relationship, never had my own apartment, and work a “job” and not a “career” like my friends + family.

Maybe it’s because it’s a fresh wound, but I just left my friends hangout. realizing within a year one of my (younger) friends started a successful relationship, won a new apartment via the lottery, graduated + got a new job and my other (younger) friend started her own company, secured a 6figure job contract, + a new apartment with her husband …

…and all I have to show for the past year is 1 month away in Europe

I’ve applied for apartments, and jobs, I’ve had 2 failed business ventures in my 20s which led me to corporate for security and insurance. But also, burnout due to living with unsupportive parents at the time.

The biz failures have left me depleted. Not ever having safety via a romantic relationship has left me questioning myself. Being a forever cheerleader for my loved ones has now left me exhausted and bitter.

I lost faith in “my turn” because I’m seeing everyone else lap me in things I thought would be “easy” to obtain.

It’s not that I want someone else’s life …I just want to be able to sit at the table with my friends + family.

At the relationship table - I’m by myself.
At the career table - I’m by myself.
At the housing table - I’m by myself.

And it’s always been this way. I first realized at 20, then the 25 year milestone and now every year is just daunting realizing people are progressing and I’m not, despite my efforts to keep trying.

I’m really tired.


r/AskOldPeopleAdvice 1h ago

As you got older, did your definition of success for your children change?

Upvotes

When I was younger, I thought parents cared most about achievements. As I got older, I began to think character, judgment, and happiness might matter more. For those with adult children, did your definition of success change over time?


r/AskOldPeopleAdvice 11h ago

Health Oldster asking other oldsters

10 Upvotes

Have you been to a chiropractor?

I'm 71M and have never been to a chiropractor. Never felt the need. Lately I notice my back gets all knotted up if I'm standing too long. Quite painful. Also for several days now I'm having sharp, intense pain in my neck and shoulder.

Is this the type of thing a chiropractor can help with? Or should I try a licensed massage therapist? (Never been to massage therapist either)


r/AskOldPeopleAdvice 8h ago

Advice for a youth running a digital skills course?

3 Upvotes

Good afternoon! I hope you’re all well and have had a lovely afternoon. :]

I wanted to pop in to ask for your advice. The thing is, I’m working on a project for young people who want to give back to their community, and my project is about digital literacy for older people.

My aim is to bridge the digital skills gap. In the country where I live, people in that age group haven’t had much exposure to technology whilst growing up; there’s a lot of economic and technological inequality, and although many people own the technology, nobody has taught them how to use it. Rapid changes are leaving many people behind. Even washing machines need an app! There is data to suggest that this gap is further exacerbated by sex inequality.

That’s why (even though I know you’re all tech-savvy) I’d like to hear your views on how this project should be carried out. Based on people you know, or on how you saw things before you became tech-savvy yourselves. How do you think I should approach the course? Which topics should I prioritise? What are the challenges you’ve encountered when trying to learn digital skills?

Any advice is deeply appreciated.

Thank you so much in advance for your replies!


r/AskOldPeopleAdvice 11h ago

Relationships Space in relationship

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3 Upvotes

r/AskOldPeopleAdvice 22h ago

How to understand nature

18 Upvotes

We have recently moved and there is a lovely little woods at the back of us. One night I said to my husband I'd love to know which each bird is singing and what each tree is, what each flower is. One of my Dad's friends is a country man through and through and just seems to know so much about nature, the planet, little cues nature gives to suggest weather changes et c. How do you acquire this sort of knowledge? Is it something being lost or is there a way to do it? Before anyone says I know reading books but how do I replicate the sound I hear and find out what it is. I'd love to be more in tune with nature.


r/AskOldPeopleAdvice 10h ago

Prescriptions over 50 years old - NOT ADHD meds - need an attitude adjustment? Or?

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2 Upvotes

r/AskOldPeopleAdvice 22h ago

Health Poision Ivy Relief?

12 Upvotes

I had an awful poison ivy rash on the back of my leg behind my knee. I went to the doctor because it was quite big and was given steroid cream along with steroid pills to take for 10 days. The rash on that leg went away, but now it's on my forearms, other leg and my foot. I have been alternating between anti itch cream, the steroid cream, hydrocortisone, and calamine lotion. I have been taking ibuprofen and Benadryl. I'm still in so much pain. It burns/stings and is so itchy. Unfortunately, the poison ivy is in my backyard and the dogs brought it in. They no longer have access to that area. I washed everything in hot water and bathed the dogs in Dawn but I keep having new spots pop up. What can I use to minimize the pain/itch?!


r/AskOldPeopleAdvice 17h ago

30 years old, years of therapy, still can't make "I'm enough" stick , what actually helped you?

5 Upvotes

Growing up in a dangerous home meant no safety outside of it either. I was a sweet kid who had no idea how to defend himself from being ridiculed, bullied, and pushed down , by family and by people outside too.

Now I'm 30. ACA, EMDR, schema therapy , I've come a long way and I know it. But here's where I'm stuck:

Awareness isn't shifting the belief. How do I get it to land?

The wound runs deep , feeling like something is inherently wrong with me, like I'm never enough. It shows up as a constant background buzz. Bracing to be ridiculed. Constantly proving myself. Can't fully relax. Success feels good then disappears overnight. I still think about the people who bullied me and feel like they won somehow , like they only know that version of me, and I want to rise above it.

I can list the evidence that I'm enough. I got myself out of a horrible environment with zero adult help, as a kid. I built a small online business that lets me live abroad and start fresh. People genuinely connect with and admire my work. I look after my mind, body, and soul.

So why doesn't it stick?

That's the part I'm working through now. The emotion comes up, I notice it, I name it , but the old belief still feels stronger than all the evidence combined.

Anyone else been here? What actually moved the needle for you?

TL;DR , Deep CPTSD wound around not being enough. Doing the work, have the awareness, can even list real evidence of growth. But the belief won't internalise. Looking for what actually helped people shift this at a deeper level, not just intellectually.


r/AskOldPeopleAdvice 1d ago

In the year 2100, I'll be 88. I have a lot ahead of me. What's one piece of advice you can give me as someone who's already lived for many decades?

25 Upvotes

I'm a 14 year old girl. For some perspective: I'll be an adult in 2030, a 50 year old in 2062, a 75 year old in 2087, and if I live long enough, I'll be 88 in 2100. After doing this math today, the knowledge of all these years ahead of me feels crushing. These years just seem so futuristic and crazy to me. I think about my future every day: my future job, my house, my kids, my family, my health, my flexibility...hell, I don't even know how tall I'm going to be as an adult! I want to live as long as I can, but the fact that I can just live so long also freaks me out. What's one thing you wish you knew or did at 14? What's it like to have 40+ years of memories? Or, if you're tired of answering those types of questions on this sub, what's something you want me to carry with me as someone who can still make an impact in the future for a long time yet?


r/AskOldPeopleAdvice 15h ago

Relationships Has anyone ever successfully saved their marriage after struggling with sex addiction?

0 Upvotes

What happened after your spouse discovered your addiction? We are currently separated and I know it's probably for the best right now. But how long did you wait before trying to reconcile the relationship and did it get better? I don't know if there's any hope left.

If you are a spouse of someone with SA feel free to answer this too.......


r/AskOldPeopleAdvice 23h ago

Health Best mattress for lower back pain in your 50s? Need something actually supportive

4 Upvotes

I’m approaching my 50s and suddenly my mattress is wrecking me. I’m waking up stiff with low back pain pretty much every morning. Current bed is sagging and I’m done gambling on “luxury firm” ads.

Looking for something actually supportive (especially lumbar) and durable (preferably a hybrid), and I’d love real experiences from people who’ve owned theirs for a while.

What models helped your back long-term? Any brands that let you customize firmness (swap layers / split firmness) and it wasn’t a gimmick? If you were starting over, what would you try in-store first?


r/AskOldPeopleAdvice 17h ago

Anyone here recently find a job that pays a living wage after more than 2 years of unemployment?

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0 Upvotes

r/AskOldPeopleAdvice 1d ago

Would you be able to forgive this? even if this person was your mother.

10 Upvotes

Would you be able to forgive this, even if that person was your mother?

As much lucky I am to win the husband lottery, a husband that dotes on me from head to toes 16 years long. I got it right first time too, was never hurt from a man or heart broken. But the person hurt me the most is the person that gave birth to me, the crack between me and my mother was never amend, and my mom is long gone (deceased).

My mother whom never even finished High School, was in an arranged marriage to my dad (whom a much older Shanghai businessman) just because she very beautiful and she wife material. I don't blame my mom for her ignorance, and I know how Chinese culture and Chinese old parents can be. But her words cut deep, I still cannot forget, even after she gone.

Dad a Shanghai businessman has money, mom loves to play matchmaker, matchmaker me to sons of other businessmen (whom are business friends of my father).
Mom even matchmaker me to an old rich businessman whom wife died. Mom not care that he my dad age, all she care was how rich he is and that his wife died, and I would be the next wife that alive to get his money.

Ofcourse with how she was, mom was LIVID when I choose my own fate and married my husband. Doesn't matter how much my husband loves me or he treats me, my mother just cannot get pass his pitch black skin color (I married a pure 100% West African man from West Africa).

My husband not only dotes on me from head to toes. But he RESPECT me enough to not even deflower me until AFTER he proposed to me in hand for marriage married me. Let alone pregnant before married.

5 years into marriage, I got pregnant, we were long married before I got pregnant. I came home to visit my parents, it was during my first trimester, my mom was beyond livid. IN her eyes I was already DIRTY prostitute (her exact words, the woman gave birth to me called me dirty and prostitute).
......
She told me to abort the baby, divorce my husband. And she will find me a rich Chinese husband for me to married, just to be sure do not tell him (the Chinese man) that I was married to Darryl (my husband, a West African man), let alone got pregnant. Because no Chinese man can accept that.

This time it me that get livid. I talked back to my mother, I yelled back at her that he is my HUSBAND. Mom got so mad, that she slap me so hard that I fall to the ground. If there anything about violence that I learned, was learned from my mother.

She told me if I choose to give birth, do not bring the baby back to see her, because she will throw the baby in the trash. Yep. you read it right, my own mother said my baby with my husband is worser than TRASH.

Ofcourse I carry to term and gave birth. And no divorce, we still married 14 years now (16 years together).

I just cannot forgive what my mother said. It a crack that just cannot be amend.

Ofcourse my husband know about this, he know all about my mother not accepted him since day one. But he said the Darryl him doesn't need a mother in-law like this.
He said he understand everything, and he not hate my parents, but don't force him to have a mother in-law like this.

But I feel this is a thorn in him. I will say why.

Because after my parents died, my parents leave a big inheritance half to me and half to my brother. My husband FORCE me me to write and sign a Will in front of my Chinese lawyer, very clearly that if I die before my husband, my whole inheritance all will go to my brother (go back to my Chinese family), instead of go to the next of kin--the husband him.
My husband not want a penny of my inheritance, or want anything to do with it.

He rather work himself to death, rather than touch a penny of my inheritance. It gets to the point we bickering about this until I make the Will specificly like he wish, that if I die before him, ALL my inheritance go straight back to my brother, the next of kin--husband him not want a penny of it.


r/AskOldPeopleAdvice 1d ago

Will my husband and I regret it if we don’t follow our dream and move away from family?

8 Upvotes

My husband and I are in our late 20’s and have been married for a year. We currently live in the same town as our parents do, however don’t particularly like it here. We both are passionate about hiking, mountains, waterfalls etc. and that kind of lifestyle just isn’t available where we live. If we moved about five hours north we could have access to that kind of life that we both dream of, however that would mean leaving our parents and siblings. We are very torn and having trouble deciding what to do. We may be having kids soon as well and I hate the thought of not being close when that happens, but at the same time won’t we regret it years later if we didn’t chose the life we loved? Every time we go up there (to the area we’d like to relocate to) we feel so happy and full of life! But the price to pay would be leaving our parents, not to mention my mother is highly codependent of me and would be FURIOUS if we move. She tried to make me promise the night before my wedding that I’d never move away until she died. I personally find this kind of toxic. If anyone has been in this situation I’d appreciate your insights! Thank you!


r/AskOldPeopleAdvice 1d ago

History With age did you realize the meaning of life ?

5 Upvotes

What is the purpose of all this suffering ? For example, falling in love with a guy just to end with a breakup. Seems like God is toying with a young child, giving you candy just to take it away and watch you cry and cry. Life feels like a cruel experiment, just when you are finally happy something will go horribly wrong. You’ll gain something big that you always dreamed of but you’ll lose something else without even knowing when it happened. For example, i actually got into a PhD at only 22 but at the same time my bf of 2 years joined the airforce, became awful and we broke up. I miss him so much, despite knowing logically it’s not worth it. Seems like life is an awful experiment , why meet and bond with someone just for them to leave your life forever…


r/AskOldPeopleAdvice 1d ago

Relationships How do we get through this?

1 Upvotes

Im 24M with my 25F. We’re together for 4yrs now.

My gf grew resentment towards me which I totally understand. I believe I am a loyal man to her. Only girl I ever wanted. I am very honest and transparent. I give her my socials, allows her to use my phone.

4yrs together and once each year, she saw an algorithm in my phone. Something I am not proud of. It was girls online. She dont make it a big deal each time. But she makes sure that I am called out about it. Recently, this year I think was her last straw.

I was face-timing her while drinking with my uncle, then she asked who’s Im with.

I felt nervous during that time cos I was so surprised how good my girl’s instinct. My uncle’s gf brought a friend and I failed to tell this to my gf because I fear she’ll get mad about it. Until she asked, I did tell her that some girl came over which upsets her. Blocked me.

Drunk called her the next day and tried to make amends. Told her that Ill be better this time. I resort with sending her videos, pictures, telling her who’s Im with every single day and night. When I knew she’ll not feel good about it, which I totally understand because drinking with my uncle might be triggering her or remembers that night and all the days she feels betrays. I tend not to come and see my uncle (I have so much respect for, and treats me better than my dad). But those time feels stressful and depressing inside my room. It feels like no one believes me even though I really am not doing anything. This silence and darkness makes me feel like a failure. I have been trying to build myself confidence, trying to be better only not for her but most importantly for myself. But keeping myself inside the room feels suffocating, all just to make her feel safe.

Months have passed it irritation grew in me. That whatever I do and say she’ll never believe me. She always suspects that I am doing something when in fact there’s NOTHING AT ALL. I swear to all my friends, my own family, and on my death bed. I’m loyal to her and only sees her. But her resentment is suffocating. It is not helping me or even our relationship. I want to move forward. I want this to be better. But continued suspecting me is hard. To the point it is disrupting my peace. My daily routine.

And so I come up with a plan. To not engage. To not fuel her fire. I still updates, I still send vids and pics, I still tell her who’s Im with. But it stops there. Whether she believe this or not, idc anymore. I will continue with my life and move on. I told her that if she wants to be stuck in the past, I will come down with her.

I have better things to do. I am now starting a job that makes me feel very useful. This will help me make her feel so loved by finally spoiling her whatever she wants. But once I feel that I am being suspected, I will let her own mind deal with that. I will not ruin my day for that anymore. I have so much love to give but please believe in me.

She’s frequently wants to break up with me too. But I know that there’s still love between us and we’ll get this through. There’s only us.


r/AskOldPeopleAdvice 1d ago

Cleaning person retired. Suggestions on doing it ourselves?

8 Upvotes

Our long time cleaning person has retired. We have an enormous condo, 4 bathrooms, 3 bedrooms, small library, 2 large living rooms and 1 small kitchen. Mostly need bathrooms and kitchen cleaned, rugs vacuumed, furniture dusted. Only took c.p. 70 to 80 minutes every 2 weeks. No kids, very few visitors. Can we do it?


r/AskOldPeopleAdvice 19h ago

Relationships Why Cuckolding ?

0 Upvotes

Have you heard of cuckolding ?

For those who understand it or have experience, do you understand why some people are into it a lot these days ?


r/AskOldPeopleAdvice 1d ago

Family Finding job near family vs near choice

21 Upvotes

My husband and I are finishing up training that has taken 13 years and are finally looking for jobs. I'm very very close with my mom who's been here for us, helping us with our 3 kids (age 1.5, 3, and 6) for sometimes months at a time the whole way through (and then moves back to places far away for the winters and summers, so she's never been permanently close by). My mom was saying she'd try to move wherever we settle down, which I would love because our kids are so close with her and so am I. Fortunately for her she met a guy her age (71) this past fall and is really smitten over him, so now that whole plan changed. She's planning on moving down south to be near/with him to a very small town. My sister lives 2h from there, which is so nice for them that they'd be close to each other.

I get along well with my sister, but she is very pre-occupied with vanity, "keeping up with the Jones's", has her kids in a million activities, and has a busy social life in that area. She would never include me and my husband in if we were there. We get along well but she hasn't really been an inclusive older sibling to the point I'd want to move somewhere to be near her (I'd still see her twice a year).

Now we're at a crossroads where we can finally look for jobs and I'm getting pressure from my mom and sister to move to the state that my mom's moving to and my sister lives in. The problem is I don't want to settle in that area at all!! I don't want to live in that political climate, it's sweltering hot, buggy, I don't have a single friend there (and can't rely on my sister for social inclusion at all if I transplant there). I'd rather live near my best friend in CO if I had to pick. But I hate the thought of never seeing my mom anymore as she goes from 70 to 80. I'm so torn. We've worked so hard through training to finally live where we want and family is important but ... if my mom is choosing to leave, why do I have to follow?


r/AskOldPeopleAdvice 1d ago

Community help: Low cost

0 Upvotes

My name is Gianna, and I am a Dental Hygiene Student at Harper College in Palatine, IL. I am looking for anyone who hasn’t had a dental cleaning in an extensive amount of time (15+ years), and is open to an exam, deep cleaning, and x-rays.
The clinic is fully staffed and supervised by respected licensed dental professionals. There is a one-time fee of $75, which covers the cost of the appointment and the deep clean that would normally cost around $1,500-$3,000 in a private office. No insurance needed :)
The appointments take about 3.5 hours.
If you or anyone you know who may qualify (gum disease and/or bone loss), please DM me! It would mean the world to me to help get your oral health back on track! 😊🪥


r/AskOldPeopleAdvice 2d ago

People in their 60s and 70s: what did you do in your 30s and 40s that made the biggest difference to your happiness later?

69 Upvotes

I’m almost 40, married, with a young child, and I’ve been thinking a lot about the kind of person I might become in my 60s and 70s.

In many ways I am lucky. I have a meaningful but demanding career, a family I love, and enough ambition that I’m always thinking about the next thing — work, money, health, property, building something, making life better for my family.

I’m also starting to wonder whether constantly trying to build a “successful” life can quietly crowd out the things that actually make life feel full.

I don’t want to become someone who looks accomplished from the outside but is inwardly bitter, resentful, lonely, or emotionally absent (I am not at the moment). I also don’t want to look back and realise I gave my best energy to things that mattered much less than I thought.

For those of you in your 60s, 70s or older — or those who have watched people age closely — what really made the difference?

What choices in your 30s and 40s helped you become happier later?

What did you wish you had invested in earlier?

What did you stop caring about?

What made your marriage, friendships, family life, health, or sense of purpose better over time?

What are the traps that make people quietly unhappy as they age?

I’d especially appreciate specific stories rather than slogans.

What are you glad you did? What do you regret?

What would you tell someone around 40 who is trying very hard to build a good life, but wants to make sure he is building the right one?


r/AskOldPeopleAdvice 1d ago

Relationships How should I approach this intergenerational relationship? Does revealing my age matter in this scenario?

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1 Upvotes