Beech Tree News Network

Recently, I’ve recognized some changes in my behavior. I understand that age changes us, but some of these changes just slipped up on me. They became normal without my noticing.

Although the changes I’ve noticed are not huge, many of them are significantly different from the younger me, including the following:
•    My hot drink of choice is no longer coffee but hot tea (from stimulating to calming).
•    Since I often take extended family to doctors’ or other appointments, I keep waiting-room-must-haves handy.
•    I remember to consider my shoes before going shopping.
•    I take a jacket for air conditioning.
•    When traveling, I require more pit stops.
•    I don’t like being awake after midnight.
•    I’m as happy to be on the sideline as to participate.
•    Minor commitments should be written down.

I wondered how other people have changed, so I asked friends and family what lifestyle or behavior changes they’ve noticed with age. Their responses are below:
•    ‘Stuff’ is not as important as it used to be. Deadlines don’t stress me as much as they used to. I focus more on living life rather than on worrying about the past or the future. I try to be me and be ok with that. I am more forgiving with my children. I’m not as driven; it’s someone else’s turn to control the throttle.
•    As I get older, I don’t care as much about what people think and I do not put up with as much bull as I used to.
•    Ambition to climb the ladder has evaporated. I prefer having time off and a less stressful position.
•    I have less patience.
•    Since I’ve gotten older, and only recently, I have decided I want children. When I was younger, I always thought selfishly, “I don’t want kids! I want to be able to sleep in and stay up late and spend my money how I want!” Interesting how completely I’ve changed my mind!
•    Early morning wake-up calls – no sleeping in!
•    A dirty house doesn’t bother me like it once did. I am not as active as I used to be by choice.
•    I can barely stay awake until 10 p.m.! Even if it’s the weekend, when my child goes to bed, so do I. I can sleep in, but sleeping in for me is 7:30 a.m. Having a clean house, laundry caught up, and groceries in cabinets is the best feeling!
•    The older I get, the more I prioritize family time over anything else. You don’t get that time back.
•    I really like to be at home, and enjoy days when I have no plans. Simpler is better; less is more.
•    The older I get, the more I love my family and friends.
•    It seems to take me longer to get chores done. I don’t want to drive after dark. I’m learning to do new things like making major purchases. I’m also eating out more often and making new friends in a new place. Coming to understand that life is good is a daily process.
•    I enjoy going places and the people more than I enjoy whatever I do there. When we ride, it’s nice to be around people with a common interest that we know on a personal level. I enjoy this more than going on a long trip just to ride. Granted, I’d do either.
•    Lifestyle: PJ’s on before dark!
•    I get tired. I used to go to bed just because it was bedtime; now I go to bed because I’m tired.
•    No more late nighters.
•    The older I get, the more I appreciate friends, family and naps.

Even though age may change our lifestyle or behavior, it doesn’t make us unrecognizable. Robert Downey, Jr. said, “I think life changes every year. This is just a little more comfortable” (http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/life_changes.html). Maybe those lifestyle changes simply make us more comfortable.