How to stop feeling old: Stop talking like you are.

My wife and I are boomers (ages 46 and 48 respectively), and we have lots of friends in mid-life. Where dinner party conversation used to revolve around kids, relationships, and news of the day, lately we’d started sounding like residents of an old-age home. Menopause here, colonoscopy there, prostate exam, stents, MRIs, precautionary tests.

For me, the tipping point came as four of us stood listening to a 50-year-old friend detail his heart surgery. In rapt attention was another friend who was six weeks removed from a hysterectomy. Another pal was literally having his head examined.

Sound anything like your group of friends? Well, my wife and I and another couple made a pact: Henceforth, we will concern each other only with major health concerns (heart bypass, hysterectomy). But for the everyday annoyances of middle age — varicose veins, hair loss and arthritis flareups – save your sob story for when your Botox injections go bad.

As my wife and I have aged, even though we’re very active and we eat right, our bodies have some new limitations. On the other hand, to dwell on our everyday concerns only makes us sound old. Is that how you want others to see you? More important, is that how you want to see yourself?

Jody Olson, Chapter Two Communications

Mature marketing expertise from one of America’s “oldest” authorities on boomers, retirement, aging, longevity, and inter-generational marketing.