As I've grown older, I find myself less and less interested in all the trappings of social media and our digital age.
Perhaps the last decade really soured my opinion of big tech companies but if that's the case, then I'm surely not the only one feeling this way.
The more options there are–TikTok and other platforms for example–the less I want anything to do with them.
Do things really have to be so complicated?
Leave me alone (and get off my lawn while you're at it).
People shared their thoughts with us after Redditor gamestar02 asked the online community:
"What gets more complicated as you get older?"
"Realizing..."
"Realizing that it takes more than love to make a relationship work."
caffeinatedandcurious
It's a bittersweet feeling knowing so many people have had the same experience.
"At a certain point..."
"At a certain point, the process of standing up or getting out of bed."
Hmarf
Don't forget about the first few steps that follow.
"People are so busy..."
"Getting friends and keeping friends. People are busy so it's harder and they are also experienced so they don't have that carefree attitude towards new people."
Tango1777
People do seem to become more insular as they get older—demands on our time definitely hasten this process.
"People have experienced a lot..."
"Falling in love. People have experienced a lot and it's harder to not see the bad signs, trust just like that and make yourself believe this time will be special. Of course it can be, it's just hard to make yourself believe in that again and again."
Tango1777
This is a big one.
Even when there might be an opportunity for it to blossom, many would rather turn away from it—not worth the trouble, in their eyes.
"Dealing with..."
"Dealing with medical appointments, insurance claims, prescription coverage limits, co-pays, and physical exercise."
Back2Bach
The USA really is plumbing the depths of absolute insanity when it comes to healthcare stuff. I mean it's really, really weird and creepy.
"Forcing yourself..."
"Forcing yourself to adopt new technologies. As a 44-year-old, it's not that I can't learn to use them, but that I have to nudge myself to do so rather than rely on older stuff. I suspect, based on people I know who are older, that it takes more energy to do so as the years go by."
StChas77
It does get more difficult—and many just get tired of needing to constantly keep up (which starts to feel like a form of work).
"When I was younger..."
"Dealing with your own mortality. At least for me. When I was younger I didn’t give it much thought but in my early 40s I tend to think about it more often."
1980pzx
The older you get, the more people you know who have died, which will make you think about your own mortality all the more.
"Forcing myself..."
"Forcing myself to go out for fun. Since I could... you know... just stay home where it's warm, with the yoga pants and my pets and the Netflix. All weekend."
1234assasas
"There just never seems to be..."
"There just never seems to be enough time in the day to do what you need to do, do what you want to do, and get adequate sleep."
hippotatolazer
This is true, though I admit I've moved out of the workaholic phase. It just isn't me.
"I've gotten to the point..."
"Family relationships. I've gotten to the point where I want to be DONE with most of my extended family and have plenty I want to tell them, but can't because my 95yo mom lives with me and don't want to upset her. I've learned how to function around people I hate. Never thought it would get to this point."
OyVeyWhyMeHelp666
Taking care of a family member, especially a parent, is hard, and it becomes harder when you're surrounded by less than supportive relatives... and vultures even.
Getting older doesn't have to be a scary thought. However, it's worth recognizing that things do change, as they do in every phase of life.
Have some observations of your own? Feel free to tell us more in the comments below!
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