Guest Blog Post by Anne Milton
Aging gracefully is a noble pursuit, but let’s be honest – it also comes with some ugly side effects. One of them being, at least for me, is our attitude toward other people. While wisdom may increase with age, tolerance for people sometimes seems to decrease. So, why does this happen, and can we blame it all on aging? I’ve done a bit of digging on the subject Let’s explore the aging tolerance dilemma that seems to be affecting some of us. Ahem.
- Accumulated Baggage: As we rack up the years, we also rack up a veritable treasure trove of life experiences. Some of these, let’s face it, are about as pleasant as sitting in traffic on a hot day. All those disappointments, betrayals, and moments of sheer disbelief add up. It’s like we’re carrying around a mental suitcase full of “been there, done that.” And sometimes, when we meet new people, we subconsciously wonder if they’re just another addition to that suitcase. No wonder we become less tolerant of what we perceive as nonsense!
- Reduced Patience: Aging often brings along a whole lot of impatience. The kind that makes you grumble when the microwave takes a whole 60 seconds to warm up your soup. Health issues, creaky joints, and a mind that occasionally plays hide-and-seek can make patience a rare commodity. So, when someone takes an eternity to finish their story or holds up a line because they’re couponing, it can be hard not to roll your eyes.
- Fixed Mindsets: As we gracefully slide into the second half of our life’s journey, we sometimes become less flexible than a petrified tree. It’s like our minds are set in stone, and heaven forbid someone tries to move the furniture around in there! We might become less open to new ideas and more judgmental of anything that strays from our version of normal. Am I right?
- Fear of Vulnerability: As we grow older, we realize that life is becoming more fragile. That awareness of our vulnerability can make us want to wrap ourselves in a cozy blanket and watch Netflix. Anything or anyone that threatens that sense of security can trigger our inner “Get off my lawn!” response.
- Social Hibernation: Sometimes, retirement and other age-related life changes can lead to a bit of social hibernation. We might find ourselves in fewer social situations and with fewer opportunities to engage with diverse perspectives. And you know what they say – “Out of sight, out of tolerance.”
Now, before we go blaming it all on aging, remember that not everyone becomes a crotchety old curmudgeon. Many folks age like a fine wine, becoming even more delightful with time. So, let’s keep our sense of humor, and whether we’re gracefully graying or still embracing our youth, let’s strive to stay tolerant, open-minded, and ready for whatever life throws our way!
