9 Ways I know I’m Old

As if Looking in the Mirror Wasn’t Enough of a Clue

Nancy Friedman
5 min readSep 21, 2021
Call me crazy, but I think the guy in this photo is reading the paper upside down. Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash

Recently, my friend Amy posted something on Facebook about her New York Times subscription. A conversation ensued whereby it became clear that I was the only person in my digital social circle still getting our physical home-town paper delivered to my doorstep every day. I am also the oldest person who participated in that conversation by at least seven years.

Coincidence? I think not.

Clearly, not only is my body changing: my skin, my eyesight, my ability to remember names…anyone’s name (It’s embarrassing and insane), but my behavior is equally off-kilter. Not because it’s changed, but because it hasn’t. It all got me wondering: what else do I do that the young whippersnappers don’t? Aside from calling people whippersnappers, I mean.

1. I Have a Landline and Cable

The landline is akin to the newspaper: I don’t use it much, but when I do, it’s a superior experience and easier to hold. My mother doesn’t even call me on my landline anymore, and she’s pushing 90. So why do I keep it? Because you never know when there will be a power outage and I’ll need to call 911. You never know when a cyber attack will affect the grid and wipe out all cellular connections. If that happens, I’ll be able to call…well, no one. Because I’m…

--

--

Nancy Friedman

Just another Neurotic New Yorker bumbling along The Road to F*ck it as I navigate life with a lot of angst, a touch of humor, and a teeny bit of Botox.