Stupid Things I Won’t Do When I Get Old

A Highly Judgmental, Unapologetically Honest Accounting of All the Things Our Elders Are Doing Wrong

By: Steven Petrow

Narrated by: Michael Butler Murray

Soon after his 50th birthday, Steven Petrow began assembling a list of "things I won't do when I get old" - mostly a catalog of all the things he thought his then 70-something-year-old parents were doing wrong. That list became the basis of this rousing collection of dos and don'ts, wills and won'ts that is equal parts hilarious, honest, and practical.

The fact is, we don't want to age the way previous generations did. "Old people" hoard. They bore relatives - and strangers alike - with tales of their aches and pains. They insist on driving long after they've become a danger to others (and themselves). They eat dinner at four p.m. They swear they don't need a cane or walker (and guess what happens next). They never, ever apologize. But there is another way....

In Stupid Things I Won't Do When I Get Old, Petrow candidly addresses the fears, frustrations, and stereotypes that accompany aging. He offers a blueprint for the new old age and an understanding that aging and illness are not the same. As he writes, "I meant the list to serve as a pointed reminder - to me - to make different choices when I eventually cross the threshold to 'old.'" Getting older is a privilege. This essential guide reveals how to do it with grace, wisdom, humor, and hope. And without hoarding.

©2021 Steven Petrow (P)2021 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Eye Opener to Aging

I like how this book goes from being funny and you can't help but laugh and eye roll to what they are saying to having compassion for those who are older. I'm in my late 30s and this has given me a better perspective of what my parents are going through and how I can be more patient with them. And more patient to my grandparents. I want planning on having a life lesson with this but I did and I'm so happy I found this book.

Read this every six months

At 63 years of age, it is imperative that I read/listen to this book every six months as a good reminder in establishing a good way to live my life to the full and not to discomfort the folks I love around me in the process!

Fun listen

Used the one about being cold on my wife. Now I can set the AC at 72!

Relevant to nearly everyone

Not every chapter resonated, but, oddly, while I was reading this book I got several reminders of how widely relevant the material is -- like a friend blogging about her mother falling while not using her walker. I was able to recommend the book two or three times as a possible discussion starter, which is kind of amazing for a book I picked up for a few pragmatic later-in-life tips that, I hoped, would be presented with a sense of humor. I would have enjoyed this more in print form than in audio format, as I would have liked to skim and go a bit faster in a few places. But was it thought-provoking and tremendously relevant? Yes.

Reflection of my own life

I laughed and cried through the book which could have been me and my siblings’ story as we tried to help our parents “age in place”! I too had a list of things I won’t do when I get old and now I’ll add to that list 😏

Should be required reading at age 60

Better than I expected. Humorous but excellent advice and insights. I’ve been recommending it to friends.

Poignant and On Point!

Steven captured so many aspects of life particularly for gay men in their sixties like myself. There were so many parallels and “Yes!” moments. His ability and honesty to write about so many personal aspects of his life are refreshing and relatable. And yes, there is both validation, guidance, and even permission to have thoughts like these. “Yes, you’re okay.” Thanks, Mr. Petrow.

Reminders For a Fulfilling Life in Our Later Years

This book really made me reflect on how to embrace my coming later years. Adjust to the changes, let your loved ones know how much you love them, and have more compassion for folks older than ourselves as hopefully we will still be around to join those elder folks!

Didn’t think I was looking in the mirror

Very good book, thought it would be amusing,and it was! But I didn’t think it would be a mirror of some things in my life!
A good time in my life to read(or listen) grounding perspectives!
Thank you!

How could somente get old and bem só imature?

uma pessoa vivendo no centro do mundo, que não aprendeu o que é a vida, incapaz de lidar com frustrações e dificuldades. sua lições de como envelhecer são de uma primariamente que surpreende.