Are You Getting More Crotchety The Older You Get?

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Phoenix

Senior Member
Location
Oregon, U S
At lunch today my husband, age 68, said that he is finding himself getting more and more cranky as time goes by. When I asked him why, he said because so many things aren't turning out right. The body isn't working right- he had his colon removed two years ago, his kids in their forties turned into jerks in spite of his good efforts. He's having trouble sleeping. His back hurts a lot.... There's a list of things. He's less tolerant he said. I've been finding the same thing. A couple of years ago I could more readily let them go. But since his surgery everything has changed. I think all those drugs to keep him knocked out for the lengthy surgery made a difference.

I'm wondering what experience everyone else has had, and how to gain a positive perspective even when things go haywire a lot. I do yoga and know all about self-behavior modification techniques. Any ideas?
 

I just try to see the bright side of things if there are any, that is. I can be cranky, too, at times and I don't even know why. Maybe as we age our chemistry changes, too. I know I don't have all the Estrogen I once had that is for sure. I think it's best to try and have something fulfilling to do such as a hobby. I got a guitar and need to start playing it. I'm waiting for a burst of energy, though, and haven't had one yet. lol
 

I'm not getting more crochety -- other people are getting more annoying! LOL

Yeah, I'll go with that...absolutely. I guess you might say I no longer suffer fools gladly. If someone obviously doesn't know what they're talking about or I need clarifying, then dang it all they are going to explain themselves. You get older and hopefully you know more. Our days are numbered, we have to speak up.

Interesting though, when we were a young couple hubby would regularly go all Sonny Corleone. It did scare me to say the least. My Dad was as aggressive as a field mouse. But as we've gotten older I understand the bark is worse than their bite idea. Hubby swearing to the high Heavens and I'll tell him to get a %&$ing grip...
 
Grumble, grumble, grumble..... sometimes I find people hard to take and steer clear until I'm in the mood for company. I know what I like and who I can handle and I'm much better now at setting boundaries.
 
You all just made me laugh. Thanks. I have hobbies. I'm still writing books. I don't just sit and stare at the wall or the boob tube. I have purpose, but...and that's a big butt, I'm intolerant of lies. They waste my time. I'm sick of the games. Don't want to deal with them. I can be mellow, if no one bugs me. I'd rather be alone than have that happen. So I guess I'm not alone in being like this. Yea!!!!!

jujube, I love your avatar.
 
Sometimes I think the earth is like a big soccer ball. It bangs a lot of people in the head and they think they're cool if they can knee it occasionally, but every time they try to grab it and hold onto it somebody blows the whistle on them.
 
Guitarist said:
Sometimes I think the earth is like a big soccer ball. It bangs a lot of people in the head and they think they're cool if they can knee it occasionally, but every time they try to grab it and hold onto it somebody blows the whistle on them.
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Okay, first we get rid of the whistle. Then we do what I did when a guy I was dating tried to rape me when I was seventeen. I kicked him in his..... He never tried it after that. Now, we just have to figure out how to generalize that to life's b.s..
 
I'm not getting more crotchety but I have become more set in my ways. I don't like change and prefer to just live a quiet life. I am a bit more mellow and one big change which I think is a plus is that I have become much less critical and judgmental. You do your thing,I'll do mine. Also I don't like spur of the moment plans. Never did never will. My kids are always telling me I should be more spontaneous. Whatever for?
 
Crotchety? No No No Not Me ---I find that I have become more understanding, more tolerant, more interested, more intelligent, more engaging, more involved, more vital, more passionate, more humble. more honest.
 
Phoenix said:
You all just made me laugh. Thanks. I have hobbies. I'm still writing books. I don't just sit and stare at the wall or the boob tube. I have purpose, but...and that's a big butt, I'm intolerant of lies. They waste my time. I'm sick of the games. Don't want to deal with them. I can be mellow, if no one bugs me. I'd rather be alone than have that happen. So I guess I'm not alone in being like this. Yea!!!!!

jujube, I love your avatar.
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I Do stare at the boob tube a lot and occasionally the walls. LOL.
 
No, of course not! How dare you even suggest such a thing. I think that my nature has become much more mellow and understanding. Good grief, the nerve of some people............. :D

Yes, I suppose I am. Although, I have a theory about this. I think that I have always been crotchety but simply made an effort to conceal it. Now that I am older, I don't give a damn. :p
 
Shalimar said:
Crotchety? I don't think so. I no longer sweat the small stuff, but I am adept at setting boundaries now. Gentleness is a choice after all.
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This is wise and very true.

If yoga and breathing exercises don't help you to relax, setting boundaries should do the trick. At least there will be less to be upset about. :eek:
 
Lon; said:
I find that I have become more understanding, more tolerant, more interested, more intelligent, more engaging, more involved, more vital, more passionate, more humble. more honest.
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I've become (or maybe always have been to a degree) just the exact opposite of Lon......as a
aged Clint would say with a snarl, "Get Off My Lawn !"
 
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I don't worked up about anything much anymore.... and don't put myself in some of the situations I got myself into when I was younger, so much less stress, and try to avoid those button pushers.
 
I always used to give people the benefit of the doubt, every time. I was understanding, loving and compassionate and allowed them the lies they chose to tell. I figured they had their reasons. Finally I stopped trying to make relationships with these people. That helps a lot. But sometimes there they are anyway. I remember a statement from the seventies, "It's easy to be an angel when no one ruffles your feathers." Yes, how we react is a choice. So often I usually keep my mouth shut, but that doesn't mean someone being awful to me is acceptable. Sure I withdraw from it, but it takes a tole. There are growing trees and rotting stumps, and I stay away from the rotting stumps as best I can.
 
Shalimar said:
Yep. For whatever time I have left, I choose to spend it with the warm fuzzy people. Cold, manipulative, emotional vampires are sooo taxing, aren't they? Lol.
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That's why for the most part I keep to myself in my apt.
 

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