Getting old, and liking it

[TBRS1]

Here's an interesting video about why some people become less social as they get older.

I have no idea what theory or research this is based on, but it does match my experience perfectly.

Brief summary of video: Some older people becomes less social as they age because they become more interested in living their own life than they are in dealing with other people's mental baggage.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

I am of the belief that as we get older, with more life experience, more specifically experience with people, in general, we become wise (knowledge + experience + mistakes). We are much quicker to recognize and weed out the "riff-raff" and put more focus upon the select few that make up our inner circle of people.

Young people, either because of they are still under the thumb of parents or they are "putting themselves out there" in order to make new friends, find a mate, etc. are more vulnerable and naive to all the toxicity and personality disorders that can harm them. Tincture of time. As these same people age, they learn, they have the power of choice, and become more selective.

So, I wouldn't necessarily characterize it as a conscious avoidance of people in most cases as it is more that our ability to avoid specific personality traits is better tuned, thereby reducing the number of interpersonal interactions.

 

[Outdated]

From the time I was little I wanted to be the age I am now because people treat you differently, they're more patient with you and allow you more space.

Of course my young mind imagined I'd still have the energy of an seven year old.

 

[Dagan]

I've gotten less social the older I've become....because there's too many people who didn't "grow up" correctly. I mean maturity in the necessary fashion. Yeah, I know that I am a goof at times and can joke about much, but when it is necessary to be serious and take care of absolute needs, I'm on it. There's a lot of folks who just can't or never want to do that for whatever reason.

Social media for instance - I have basically no interactions unless I post something funny. What's funnier is that, usually I'm posting a bit of a satire about these kinds of people and their epic fails...and that'll be exactly who comments or leaves a funny emoji.

 

[JayCee]

As have aged, seems younger people or even people in all age groups, seem to treat me as a target of opportunity . So you might see why some older people prefer less socialization . Myself included . So consequently , have had much experience, with what would otherwise be veiwed as decietful people. Seriously personally and finacially Gaslighted so many times,I had to quit counting, cause thinking about it was depressing . So just carrying on, being myself inspite of these others. Has allowed me to live a little happier life. But am more obsevant of peoples inconsistencies . And keep a smaller circle of friends these days. And just enjoy my coffee as the world spins..

 

[TBRS1]

As have aged, seems younger people or even people in all age groups, seem to treat me as a target of opportunity . So you might see why some older people prefer less socialization . Myself included . So consequently , have had much experience, with what would otherwise be veiwed as decietful people. Seriously personally and finacially Gaslighted so many times,I had to quit counting, cause thinking about it was depressing . So just carrying on, being myself inspite of these others. Has allowed me to live a little happier life. But am more obsevant of peoples inconsistencies . And keep a smaller circle of friends these days. And just enjoy my coffee as the world spins..

Anybody who's managed to survive long enough to get old has managed to survive an awful lot of bad stuff as well.

I'm fairly certain that's a big factor .

 

[Shevek]

I don't recognize myself in that life history. I am feeling disillusioned with people, but I also have a smaller group of potential friends. Young people ignore me deliberately, assuming I am too much like a typical boomer, which I have never been, and in my own age group, people keep dying. That's discouraging. I'm also not fit enough to party all night and work all day. I am baffled by many cultural references to entertainments popular with younger people, while my own contributions become obscure.