Turning 50 was a lot easier than I expected. Turning 30 was so depressing that I just knew that 50 would be worse, but it was just a day to smile and think, "Wow, I made it."

being 50 is the best!!!

Turning 50 was very hard. Forty was not as my father had just passed and my 40th birthday was a few days after his passing so it went by almost unnoticed--even by me. But 50 was another story. I made up for lost time in my grieving process. And grieve I did. When you're young, you never imagine turning 50--you never even think about it. Friends start dying, your suddenly have health problems, joint problems you never expected start happening. It's a wake up call. For me I have to say it has not been easy. I would like to hear from others who are dealing with this "getting older" phenomenom and how their experiences have been. This is a very good question! And...would be interesting to hear how men -vs- women handle it.

I agree with patsypie--turning 40 wasn't all that hard. I turned 40 shortly after my mother passed away so I didn't think about it much. I will be 50 in June--and I have mixed emotions about it.

And I am throwing myself a big birthday barbeque on June 18th to usher in my 50th year. I figure I'll save my family the problem of wondering if they should or shouldn't and I'll plan it myself!

Kids are all grown and on their own, the marriage is still working and I am hoping 50 will be a good decade and a time of rediscovering who I am and deciding what direction I want the rest of my life to go.

Flipsidejourney--I just looked at your profile--you have a long ways to go before you hit 50-are you worried now???

Turning 30 then 40 was no big deal. I cheerished the opportunity for greater wisdom.

Getting closer to 50 became a little more challenging because AARP started sending me "sign up" notices the moment I turned 48. The thoughtful person that I am, I refrained from returning their notice with a "F--K YOU! I'M ONLY 48! GET OUT A CALCULATOR AND SUBTRACT 1957 FROM THIS YEAR!!"

Turning 50 on December 11th was a little more difficult.

You see, it seems that shortly before or after turning 50, I lost my best friend, I lost my boyfriend, but most of all I lost my job, and can't seem to find another one. Is it because I'm 50?

Do I attribute turning 50 to losing these things? Maybe. Maybe not.

It seems turning 50 has brought about much insecurity in my life as of recent, and in such a short period of time.

Does turning 50 make this justifiable? Again. Maybe. Maybe not.

My Mom and friends often tell me ... "You're a dammed good looking woman to be 50, and you've accomplished so much. You should be proud".

Yet, in the same breadthe my Mom tells me to check out AARP and Operation Able to find a job because they help people 50 and older.

(WHAM! ANOTHER SMACK IN THE FACE)

I have two degrees. I shouldn't need AARP or Operation Able to help me.

So, simply put. I haven't quite come to terms with what turning 50 has done to me.

I know it's made me feel pretty numb and oblivious to everything currently happening around me.

But, give me some time. I'm a smart girl (ooops, sorry. "old woman"). I'll figure it out.

I fondly remember being 50, I think.( yeah for age related memory loss !) I'll be 60 this summer and am honestly not sure how that happened. For me, age is merely a state of mind. I don't feel any older. ( matter of fact, there are parts of me I no longer can feel ! ) The only thing I know for certain these days is that I will never ever stand if front of a 3 way mirror naked. Who would have thought that so many parts of you would go south ?

I never had a problem with a "milestone" birthday until 50.

*50* really bummed me out...

and now, at 58, I'm staring at 60 and not looking forwrd to it..

Of course, I guess getting there sure beats the alternative.