Hello!
This week’s topic is change, specifically how our wants and needs change at different ages.
Up until recently, I lived in big cities. First, in Istanbul for 6.5 years and then in Los Angeles for 6.5 years. Istanbul has a population of 15 million and it is the bigger of the two, but both are big, active cities. I loved living in them when I was there. The only time I was tired of Istanbul was the last year of my time there and then I moved to LA and loved it a lot too. I loved the chaos and activity level that comes with being in a big city. It gave a some kind of satisfaction.
But only until I turned 30. Then, I started wanting to be in an isolated mountain house, minding my own business. I wanted to ride, hike and read in peace. I believe that is the first time in my life I ever wanted something like this. Relatedly, socialization has become more difficult. As a person known to have way too many friends everywhere in the world to people who know me, now I want to spend my time on my own, again minding my own business. And it is not like I am being forced. I genuinely enjoy these times.
In a nutshell, what I wanted in my 20s is very different from what I want in my 30s. The 20-year-old me must be watching the current me in surprise. But this is change. I am sure many other things will change as I grow older and I am now more accepting of that (Initially, because I thought being social was always good for me, I was terrified of isolating myself and questioned it a lot).
What changes did you notice in your life as you grew older? Let’s talk about change that comes with age today.
In old age, many of life’s decisions are behind us: career choice, where to go to school, finding a mate, where to live, having children, saving money for children’s education and our own retirement…Stress is reduced. We are free to do things we never had time for, but always wanted to try. If we have grandchildren, we enjoy them, but usually without all the responsibility. Physically, old age comes with declining capabilities, but mentally, it has much to enjoy.
Great topic, Betul. Hope all is well with you!
Nice summary! I also feel like I am giving myself more time to do the things I wanted to do now than before. It is honestly refreshing.
Hope all is well with you too!
Unless you have good health, financial resources, and a supportive family, one’s “golden years” have little to recommend them. You’re still alive and that is about all you can say for it. You have to come up with your own reasons to live.
True
Fred(Au Natural) is probably, sadly right. Blessed with good health & enough money to live fairly well, I’m particularly fortunate to be a writer by trade so I can also keep working until I drop. (I hope!) I’ve made major geographical changes over my 8 decades; every decade has brought its own challenges but great joy. If I can keep walking (I do 2 or 3 miles daily at least, mostly in the city of San Francisco) and writing and feeling I’m doing SOME good in the world I’m okay with launching myself into one more decade next year. Cheers to you & your journey.
Good points there!
As already stated getting older ( as in 70’s ) gives pleasures of freedom and choices to do different things. So long as we’re fortunate in being financially secure and of good health of course. Sometimes it’s good just to have fewer pressures – we don’t have to go to work; we don’t need to rush around attempting to ensure the family’s needs are catered for etc. – if we wish we can just ‘be’ and relax aka be lazy 😉
Ahh, sounds nice, honestly!
I think everything changes as we get older! I was born and brought up in a sleepy seaside town in the UK and couldn’t wait to leave as it was so boring to my, then 20 year old self. I moved to a big town, where there was loads of nightlife and things to do. I married, had three children, and still loved living in a town as there were loads of activities available to my children.
When they all left home and had their own lives, I suddenly found that I hated living in a big town, with the fast pace of life. 10 years ago, I emigrated with my partner to rural SW France. Although a bit of a culture shock at first, I now love it – the peace and tranquility and the much slower pace of life!
Nice changes! As we get older, we look for more tranquility, it seems.