Older People Are Sharing The Things That Shocked Them Most About Getting Old

5.

“I’ve been surprised by how easy it is to become mindless and numb. When I was a child, my life was busy. There were never enough answers to my questions. Imagination and ideas were infinite. No matter how many times I explored the nooks and crannies of my house, I could do it again and again. Being bored was rare. The second I opened my eyes, I was on the go. Excited to wake up, reluctant to go to sleep. Now, as an adult, my life is busy — but not the same kind of busy.”

“As I’ve aged, waking up has become harder. Many days, I wasn’t excited at all; going back to sleep felt like my number one goal.

I can’t pinpoint when my creativity and curiosity dulled. It was a gradual change, the kind adults warned me of. Teachers would say, ‘I hope you never lose your smile.’ I thought, ‘Why would I stop smiling?’

I stopped smiling.

It surprised me how much I allowed the world to beat me down.

I don’t blame anyone, not even myself. It just happened.

Once I realized, I began trying hard to prevent it from happening again. I’ve got more aging ahead, and I refuse to fall prey to routine, boredom, and false comfort.

Fortunately, one gift of aging is learning how easy it can be to take back control — and change your life.”

—Rose K., Quora