This is an interesting question for me because, yes, I definitely mellowed out, but it happened while I was pretty young. Before age 40. I used to get in a lot of fights. Actual fist-fights. And I almost always threw the fist punch, because I was taught that it was stupid to wait until the other guy did. Soon as you see it in his eyes, you go, and go all in. And if they're bigger than you or there's more than one of them, you grab the nearest thing and weaponize it and go for their soft spots. Everybody has at least 5.
That's what my dad and his dad taught me. Not to get into stereotypes, but they were Irish and I think they bought into the stereotype; the fighting Irish or whatever.
It was my mom's dad, my Jewish grandfather, who convinced me that you'll come out on top in every challenge if you use your brain and your words and, most importantly, humor. That totally worked, and it made life a whole lot easier.
As for mellowing with age, I've learned that I don't have to jump up and go do a bunch of stuff 5 minutes after sitting down. Nothing bad happens when you just sit and relax for an hour or two. Walls are built to stand on their own.
