When the f**k did I become old?

What if everything we’ve been told about ageing and happiness is wrong?In this episode of When the F**k Did I Become Old?, we dive into the surprising science behind happiness and why life often feels hardest in midlife but better on the other side of it.Sparked by a viral Christmas clip that racked up over 163,000 views and ignited fierce debate, our conversation moves into the World Happiness Report, the Cantril Ladder and the research behind the so-called midlife malaise.Kev shares insights from The Happiness Curve by Jonathan Rauch, revealing why happiness follows a U-shaped curve; dipping in our 40s and 50s before rising again as we age. Together we unpack expectations, resilience, gratitude, emotional intelligence and why getting older may actually be something to look forward to.This is an honest, funny, and deeply reassuring episode for anyone who’s ever wondered:Is this it?(Spoiler: no, it really isn’t.)Key TakeawaysHappiness follows a U-shaped curve, not a steady climbMidlife is often the lowest point — and that’s normalYoung people are optimistic but unrealistic about happinessMidlife pressure comes from expectations, responsibility, and comparisonAfter 50, people become more resilient, emotionally intelligent, and gratefulOlder adults cope better with stress and uncertaintyLife shifts from striving to beingAgeing isn’t the end — it’s often the most fulfilling chapterReinvention and “encore careers” are common and powerful after midlifeTimestamps00:45 – Christmas without children & why it went viral02:40 – Introducing the topic: happiness03:24 – The World Happiness Report & how happiness is measured03:58 – The Cantril Ladder explained05:30 – Happiest and unhappiest countries in the world06:40 – The Happiness Curve & the surprising U-shape08:28 – Why young people are happier (and more optimistic)09:00 – The optimism bias & unrealistic expectations12:06 – The hedonic treadmill: chasing “more”12:50 – Kev’s personal happiness graph experiment16:17– Midlife malaise vs the myth of the midlife crisis16:50 – How longer lifespans changed everything19:46 – Divorce, redundancy & pressure in midlife20:35 – Glass ceilings and career reality checks22:33 – Illness, mortality & emotional turning points24:26 – Reframing and why life feels lighter after 5026:45 – Why comparison changes and people believe they are happier27:38 – Gratitude, perspective & comparison traps28:41 – Increased emotional intelligence, resilience & compassion30:21 – “Having what you want” vs “wanting what you have”31:57 – Encore careers & reinvention after 5033:15 – Why ageing isn’t the disaster we were sold📚 Resources MentionedThe Happiness Curve – Jonathan RauchWorld Happiness ReportCantril Ladder of Life SatisfactionSupporting organisationshttps://www.oddfellows.co.uk/https://www.workingtransitions.com/https://www.proage.org/

Do New Year’s resolutions actually work, especially as we get older?In this honest, funny and refreshingly unfiltered episode we challenge everything we’ve been told about January self-improvement.From overcrowded gyms and guilt-driven goal setting to the pressure to “start fresh” on January 1st, we explore why traditional New Year’s resolutions often fail and why optimism, agency and having something to look forward to matter far more as we age.Drawing on insights from geriatric psychiatry, lived experience and bucket-list thinking for over-50s, this episode reframes ageing as a time for renewal, curiosity and choosing goals that genuinely make life more vibrant, not just more “virtuous”.Key Takeaways• Why looking forward to the future is vital for mental health in later life• New Year’s resolutions vs bucket lists and which actually works• Motivation, fitness and goal-setting after 50• Why “boring but sensible” goals don’t always inspire change• How hobbies, travel, social connection and curiosity keep life meaningful• Choosing one achievable goal that makes life richerIf you’re over 50, questioning ageing, fed up with guilt-based self-improvement or simply want to feel more excited about what’s ahead, this episode is for you.Timestamps00:48 - Do either of us actually do resolutions? Kev has traditionally had projects planned.04:07 - Are any of Jo’s regimes cyclical/planned for January 1st?04:38 - Why don’t we do New Year's Resolutions?05:50 - What is a New Year’s resolution and why is it important to make them?09:45 - Christmas is a natural pause, which allows us to reflect10:27 - Optimism and agency give you the feeling of being in control11:37 - The top 10 New Year’s resolutions for seniors, including exercise, mental health and diet16:35 - Bucket lists vs resolutions: what’s the difference?18:26 -Bucket list ideas for over-50s that actually excite us -Travel dreams, hobbies & new experiences22:03 - Build something amazing22:30 - Our joint bucket list wish list25:40 - The benefits of goals that make a positive change for 202627:35 - Our goals for 2026 https://lifeconnect24.co.uk/blogs/hobbies/50-bucket-list-ideas

In this episode, we explore the complexities of spending Christmas with adult children. We discuss the emotional challenges of changing family dynamics, the evolution of Christmas traditions and the importance of adapting to new realities as children grow up. We highlight the importance of open communication and understanding as our families navigate the evolving landscape of holiday celebrations.Key TakeawaysChristmas with adult children brings new challenges.Creating new traditions is essential as families evolve.Emotional responses to children not being home for Christmas are common.Parents must adapt to their children's changing preferences.The pressure of parental expectations can affect holiday gatherings.Open communication is key to understanding children's needs.Christmas celebrations should reflect the current family dynamics.It's important to allow children to create their own holiday experiences.Financial considerations play a role in hosting Christmas.Navigating adult relationships requires flexibility and understanding.Time Stamps01:14 Our first Xmas with no kids at home01:38 Remembering Xmas as a child06:04 Creating New Christmas Traditions for our kids10:55 How it felt when my daughter asked if she could spend Xmas with her friends13:15 Pros and cons of having Xmas with adult children16:29 Managing expectations17:58 Shifting Dynamics of Family Gatherings18:23 Hosting Xmas is expensive20:41 We think we might be invited for Xmas soon21:21 We have to let our kids create their own Xmas22:00 Main reasons adult children don’t want to spend Xmas with their parents24:24 New Year’s Eve27:35 Is this the last year we go clubbing on New Year’s Eve?29:10 Get to know your children as adults30:14 Redefining Christmas CelebrationsSubscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Follow us onInstagram https://www.instagram.com/whenthefkdidibecomeold/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WhenthefkdidIbecomeold/TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@gaylin_joEmail us [email protected] Our sponsorhttps://sallyrule.com/[email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jo sits down with Amanda Forsyth, the co-founder and CEO of LivOn, a new app helping people navigate the transition into retirement by discovering their interests, building purpose and staying connected to their community.Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. They unpack identity loss, loneliness and why retirement is far more than finances and how LivOn is redefining what this next chapter can look like. Key Takeaways Retirement is a whole new chapter, not an ending So much of “good retirement” is down to luck Identity loss is a huge, hidden problem Live On is like a retirement coach in your pocket Special support for men & the newly “forced” retired The app is free, with a “tech for good” missionTimestamps 01:38 - What is LivOn 02:04 - Retirement Comes Down to Luck 02:40 - Amanda’s Parents’ Journey 04:28 - The Difficulty of Finding Activities After 60 05:34 - 1 in 3 People Struggle with Retirement 06:04 - We Are Living Much Longer 06:20 - What LivOn Offers (Overview) 07:25 - The Personality Test, designed to help the individual 07:53 - How the App Recommends Activities 09:30 - Helping Introverts or the Newly Alone Make Friends 10:26 - Partnerships & Trusted Sources 11:25 - Supporting Men in Retirement 12:33 - Can Users Add Their Own Groups or Events? 13:42 - If the App Is Free, How Will It Make Money? 14:32 - What Might the Premium Version Include? 15:15 - The Gap in the Market 17:08 - Who Is the App For? (55+ and beyond) 18:35 - Why Aren’t We Emotionally Prepared for Retirement? 19:38 - Jo Talks About Kev’s Forthcoming Retirement Process 22:22 - Why Live On Avoids Health & Finance Advice (For Now) 23:40 - Anonymous Chat Groups (Reddit-Style) 25:56 - The Bigger Mission 28:24 - When Is the App Launching? January 2026 28:46 - Early Testers Wanted Website: www.livon.ai (people can sign up for early access and learn a bit more about what we’re building.)Follow us onInstagram https://www.instagram.com/whenthefkdidibecomeold/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WhenthefkdidIbecomeold/TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@gaylin_joEmail us [email protected] Our sponsorhttps://sallyrule.com/[email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode SummaryIn this unapologetically honest episode, we dive into the exploding world of cosmetic surgery, injectables and weight-loss drugs, especially for people over 50. From facelifts to Ozempic, celebrity transparency and the reality of loose skin, we explore what’s real, what’s taboo and what’s becoming completely normal.We also discuss how Gen X is redefining aging, why social media is both inspiring and exhausting and the huge rise in both men and women seeking aesthetic treatments.Topics DiscussedWhy celebrities finally admitting surgery helps everyoneCosmetic procedures growing rapidly in men (up 70% since 2021)The difference between surgery in the 2000s vs todayZoom culture and the rise of self-criticismTop cosmetic procedures for men vs womenJo’s personal experience with surgery & BotoxKev’s reconstructive surgery storyAre facelifts still taboo? Why they shouldn’t be?Brad Pitt rumours (has he or hasn't he?)Fitness culture, shredding and the pressure to look “ageless”Weight loss drugs (Ozempic/Wegovy/Mounjaro) becoming mainstreamThe truth about side effects: sickness, muscle loss & long-term riskLoose skin after weight loss and why it’s driving more faceliftsGen X refusing to “act old” and how culture is shiftingConfidence, comparison and the expectations placed on women over 50Timestamps01.45 – Celebrity honesty & why it matters04:13– Kev’s reconstructive surgery background06:48 – Zoom culture and self-image after 5008:05 – Men vs women: top 5 cosmetic procedures11:05 – Kev on ageing, weight, and “could I be bothered?”13:48 – Jo on Botox, implants & considering a facelift14:48 – “Glamour pusses” over 50: Liz Hurley, Aniston, Kidman18:32 – Gen X is ageing differently, here’s why22:34 – What men really think about women having surgery24:38 – Facelifts in Turkey & risks vs results28:00 – The weight-loss drug boom31:49 – Side effects, muscle loss & poor dosage33:00 – Weight loss → loose skin → facelift trend34:20 – Weight loss drugs and cosmetic work are no longer tabooSubscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Follow us onInstagram https://www.instagram.com/whenthefkdidibecomeold/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WhenthefkdidIbecomeold/TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@gaylin_joEmail us [email protected] Our sponsorhttps://sallyrule.com/[email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.