There comes a time in every person’s life when we step back and realize that we are getting old. One minute, we are young and chipper, and then the next minute, we are yelling at the birds for chirping in the morning.
Okay, it is not that drastic, but our thoughts and actions do change as the years go by. The things we choose to give our time to become more and more important.
The following are some of the more common things people tend to stop caring about as they age. How many of these can you relate to?
1. Traveling Frugally
In my twenties, I spent $10 a night sleeping in a musty hostel with 12 other people I didn’t know. The idea of doing that in my forties makes me sick to my stomach.
I want to be as comfortable as possible when I’m on vacation. I want my own room, with a hot shower, and zero chance of a guy busting out an acoustic guitar at 2 A.M. when I’m trying to sleep. While I value my experiences slumming through other countries as a young lad, as an adult, I will gladly pay for some luxury.
2. New Music
I finally understand why my parents would roll their eyes or tell me to turn my music down when I was young. As you get older, you get stuck listening to your favorite type of music and naturally think it is superior to younger generations.
I won’t bash new music and artists, but they don’t make the hits like they used to. Or maybe they do, but I don’t have the time or the desire to seek out new artists. I’ll just stick to what I grew up on and leave the new stuff to the kids.
3. Sharing My Personal Space
For the longest time, I lived with roommates out of financial necessity but also for the camaraderie. Not only did I save money on rent, but I also had a friend to hang out with, play video games, or watch TV. But, as you mature, you start to truly appreciate the tranquility of your own space.
Sure, it would be nice to split the rent (especially nowadays), but having a place of your own is something I really cherish. I don’t have to worry about anyone else but me.
4. Fashion Trends
You know you are getting old and stop caring about fashion trends when you start buying jeans at Costco. A place where you can buy a 2-gallon tube of mayonnaise doesn’t sound like a store where you would find trendy pants.
That being said, I admit that I have bought clothes out of convenience rather than looking cool. When I was younger and going out to hip bars and restaurants, I would never be caught dead in some of my outfits now. Until I find myself walking down the red carpet, I will choose comfort over style any day of the week.
5. Searching For Parking
Listen, nothing frustrates me and causes more anxiety than circling busy city streets looking for parking. By the time you find a spot, it’s far away from where you are going, in a sketchy part of town, and you are 20 minutes late to your reservation.
I get so excited when I find out the place we are going has a parking lot. While that is a statement I never thought I would say, I stand by it. Life is too short to search for parking!
6. Celebrity Gossip
When I was younger, I used to put celebrities on a pedestal. While I never read the celebrity magazines, I was up to date on the latest news and drama, such as the Brad Pitt/Jennifer Aniston/Angelina Jolie fiasco.
Nowadays, I couldn’t care less. Shows like TMZ and Access Hollywood make me want to change the channel as fast as possible. They are just people with a lot more money than me; why do I need to care about their lives?
7. Theme Parks
Visiting an amusement park as a kid was one of my fondest memories. It was the perfect afternoon: riding rollercoasters, playing carnival games, and eating junk food with your friends. Then something switched, and I regret a day at a theme park.
Maybe it is the combination of large crowds, expensive tickets, or the fact that I no longer have the stomach for thrill rides, but I would be happy to stay away from them for good.
I still visit theme parks because my kids love them, but I’m counting down the days they are old enough to go alone.
8. Uncomfortable Shoes
We have already established that I value comfort over style. This has never been more true than when it comes to my footwear.
I am so glad I never had to deal with the high heels that women have to wear in the workplace. I honestly don’t know how you walk around in those things. I proudly walk around in my delightful shoes with soft soles over anything the younger kids consider cool.
9. Staying Out Late
Long gone are the days when I would close down the bars. I can’t even remember the last time I heard the phrase, “Last Call!”
My friends and I used to stay out late, close down the bars, then find a late-night diner, only to stumble home and fall asleep as the sun came up. Just typing that sentence made me want to take an aspirin and drink a glass of water.
I will gladly take a lovely happy hour and get home in time to get a good night’s sleep over a rowdy night and waking up with a head-splitting hangover.
10. Impressing Others
There came a time in my late thirties when I stopped caring what others thought about me. I am completely comfortable with the person I am, and I no longer go out of my way to try to impress someone who really doesn’t affect my life.
I still try to make good first impressions, and I believe that is still important, but going out of my way to try to win a person over is a waste of my time and energy.
11. Celebrating Birthdays
Don’t get me wrong, I will gladly go out and celebrate the birthdays of my friends and loved ones. I love a reason to have a few drinks, eat some cake, and have a fun evening. What I am saying is that on my birthday, I don’t want a fancy party like I did when I was a kid.
After 40, the only birthdays I plan on celebrating are landmark ages, like 50, 60, and 70.
12. Keeping Toxic Friendships
When I was younger, I used to let toxic friends hang around, which eventually brought me down as well. I never thought twice about telling these people no or setting boundaries that would slowly push them away.
As an adult, I have no problem telling people to kick rocks when they are creating unwanted drama. I don’t want that negativity to bring me or my family down.
13. Having The Latest Tech
I remember counting down the days for the new smartphone or the latest home tech gadget to hit the stores. I used to show off my phone to my friends to let them know how cool and hip I was.
Today, I wait until the very last minute to buy a new phone. If it turns on, gets messages, and lets me Google my silly questions, I am going to hold onto it. The same is true for the latest electronics. I would rather keep my older TV or speakers rather than spend a fortune on new ones.
14. My Past Regrets
I used to hold on to my past regrets, wondering how my life would have been if I had made a different decision. Would I be better off, or was it a blessing in disguise? I would harbor these thoughts until I realized it wasn’t worth it anymore.
The day I decided to let my past go was like an epiphany. The past is the past, and there is nothing I can do to change it. The best I can do is learn from my mistakes and carry on with my life.
15. Loud Concerts
Concerts were some of my favorite things to attend when I was in my teens and twenties. I wanted to get front-row seats, be in the mosh pit, and have my ears ringing for two days straight after.
That sounds absolutely miserable now. I love music and seeing my favorite bands, but I would rather see them in a cushy chair with a nice view. I’ll let the kids have the front-row seats and hurt themselves in the pit while I enjoy the show with some snacks in the back.
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