Due to pandemic restrictions, our friends had a Zoom call on New Year's Eve and one of the questions asked was What does it mean to get older? The youngest in the group is 45 years and oldest around 65 years for perspective. The answers were interesting and kind of help understand what happens as life charts its own journey.
- Sleep: As you get older, you tend to go to sleep earlier than before and also rise early. Men tend to get better sleep than women. However, women's sleep tends to be stop/start. Men tend to be more alert when they wake up whereas women surface a bit slowly.
- Children: As children get out of school into their teens, there is still a rush, but the evolution of becoming friends starts at this age. As children become more independent, you need to let them be and not worry too much about them. They make decisions without being influenced by their parents' baggage, and they are often uncertain about their future, just like their parents were. Goals also tend to be wider e.g. Adrenalin pumping experiences to travel (not just a limited set such as career and family)
- Knowing Limitations: The older you get, the more likely you are to know your limitations. However, some accept them and move forward, whereas others get stuck. We also end of thinking and becoming more like our parents than we know. Quite often our limitations cause frustrations e.g. not able to achieve career goals. Conversely, those who have achieved their goals are quite often at a loss as to what to do next. Balance is still a challenge.
- Men tend to binge-watch television more than women, especially during the pandemic.
- Board games: Couples tend to play some board games at least once a day if they can find time. It also provides a break from the daily routine.
- Fitness: There is always continuous talk of fitness and diets and a smaller group tends to be more successful at this. Desire to be fit is there, however the mind and body do not seem to be perfectly aligned. You can get up early every day and still not exercise.
- Food: Home food is preferred but the occasional eating out is par for the course with friends. Couples hardly eat out by themselves, unless accompanied by kids/family (even when kids are older and independent).
- Connects: There is a desire to remain connected with near and distant family and friends. However, Facebook and Instagram are not the favoured routes. Whatsapp is liked and hated in equal measure.
- Thinking: There's more thinking than doing (unless you have to do the dishes at home). It can also result in excessive verbal communication or pontificating as thoughts overwhelm and actions underwhelm. It is also resulting in polarising views on subjects such as politics and religion.
- Health concerns: Covid infections remain uppermost in everyone's mind but the fear is getting lesser by the day. Anyone who has seen infections nearby tends to be more careful. Conversely, due to Covid other ailments and treatments have taken a back seat. Allopathic medicines are reluctantly used since the fear of side effects remains. Yoga and meditation are spoken of frequently, but actual practice may differ.
Getting older should also mean you are getting better at some things, which is true. However, father time does take its toll and forces you to adapt as well. Have a great year ahead.
Share this post