Personality Changes of Older Age

I can see how physical pain might make one grumpy.

Do any of you think we have more pronounced mood changes as we age?

There are also positive changes that can take place with attuning with nature or transcending
into deep meditations, developing one's mental capabilities.
 
The birth of my twin daughters really tuned me up.

Suddenly I was responsible for these two little human beings at the age of 38. I'm kind of an older Dad as I am 57 now and my girls just turned 19. It's been a rollercoaster ride the last near 20 years, but worth every penny. I've chilled out a lot in my beliefs and attitude...not as hardcore or set in my ways as I used to be. I've learned from my girls and they've learned from me.

It's so strange. Your own childhood seems to last forever, but once you have kids of your own in a blink they are adults. My own quote on Parenthood is 'Long Days. Fast Years.' My girls will forever be those two little hearts beating outside of my chest. :)
 
I'm tired of being old. I hate the loss of power. My son told me I can't "engage" in certain things. He wasn't being mean. He was right. I can't engage in certain things. I will lose. Big.

I've never felt so low in my life. I'm extraordinarily depressed. Buffy, my sister, took years off my life. I've fallen and I can't get up.
 
I have found music therapy helps lifts my spirits when I’m sad or mad or disappointed in myself or someone else.

Listening to classic music lifts my mood. Soft rock soothes my soul. Upbeat music of the past makes me want to dance.

Music really does help.

Music changes the atmosphere around you.
 
During these past several years things have happened.
Both my mother and I have changed.


The Atlantic
The Curious Personality Changes of Older Age
Story by Faith Hill •
1 mo
Link To The Article https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/t...1&cvid=01358740ec1b44148c0057da54d2ea4c&ei=32
Quoted Excerpts:
People’s personality can morph in response to their circumstances, helping them shift priorities, come to terms with loss, and acclimate to a changing life.
At any age, life events can affect people differently. But in older adulthood particularly, researchers told me, people’s daily realities vary wildly, so factors like health and social support are probably better predictors of personality change.
 
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Pepper said:
I'm tired of being old. I hate the loss of power. My son told me I can't "engage" in certain things. He wasn't being mean. He was right. I can't engage in certain things. I will lose. Big.

I've never felt so low in my life. I'm extraordinarily depressed. Buffy, my sister, took years off my life. I've fallen and I can't get up.
Click to expand...
I am so sorry. Old age can be extremely hard. I can only suggest taking comfort and joy in the small things - treat yourself to favourite foods, read nice books, watch pleasant TV. Do what makes you comfortable and raises your spirits.
 
I'm a lot less tolerant overall. Certainly I don't suffer fools. I think I am much more me than I ever was - without apology. I do not set out to please others as I used to.
Personal appearance is less important in certain ways. I dress for me, for comfort and the weather. No more following fashion. As long as I am clean, neat and tidy, I pay no more attention to it.
I'm a lot more mean with money, I simply refuse to waste it as I consider being secure as paramount. I also pay far more attention to diet and health than ever before, we get away with a lot in youth in terms of abusing our bodies with junk food and alcohol and lack of sleep. In fact I don't drink at all now, never smoked and I never overeat. My digestion wouldn't tolerate it.
 
Rose65 said:
I'm a lot less tolerant overall. Certainly I don't suffer fools. I think I am much more me than I ever was - without apology. I do not set out to please others as I used to.
Personal appearance is less important in certain ways. I dress for me, for comfort and the weather. No more following fashion. As long as I am clean, neat and tidy, I pay no more attention to it.
I'm a lot more mean with money, I simply refuse to waste it as I consider being secure as paramount. I also pay far more attention to diet and health than ever before, we get away with a lot in youth in terms of abusing our bodies with junk food and alcohol and lack of sleep. In fact I don't drink at all now, never smoked and I never overeat. My digestion wouldn't tolerate it.
Click to expand...
I have never been one to suffer fools gladly or otherwise...

I don't drink alcohol..never have except when I was young and tried it , didn't like it...

However I wish my body didn't let me overeat...like your Rose.... :D
 
I think I've mellowed in my old age but like others I feel a loss of power and that irks me, so my world closes in and now I try hard to enjoy what's left, it is sad but it is what it is, but hey, I can stay in my house where it is cool, play on my computer and watch others buzzing around going to work and dealing with daily problems.
 
Pepper said:
I'm tired of being old. I hate the loss of power. My son told me I can't "engage" in certain things. He wasn't being mean. He was right. I can't engage in certain things. I will lose. Big.

I've never felt so low in my life. I'm extraordinarily depressed. Buffy, my sister, took years off my life. I've fallen and I can't get up.
Click to expand...

Having to adjust the duration i can work at physically taxing activities every few years is annoying. They are my 'exercise' along with walking.

The extra thought, planning i have to put into doing those things efficiently in stages accommodating my changing physical limits is good exercise for my brain.

My Dad's early lessons about planning & knowing both one's capabilities and limits continue to help me. So have my spatial and visualization skills.
 
Beezer said:
The birth of my twin daughters really tuned me up.

Suddenly I was responsible for these two little human beings at the age of 38. I'm kind of an older Dad as I am 57 now and my girls just turned 19. It's been a rollercoaster ride the last near 20 years, but worth every penny. I've chilled out a lot in my beliefs and attitude...not as hardcore or set in my ways as I used to be. I've learned from my girls and they've learned from me.

It's so strange. Your own childhood seems to last forever, but once you have kids of your own in a blink they are adults. My own quote on Parenthood is 'Long Days. Fast Years.' My girls will forever be those two little hearts beating outside of my chest. :)
Click to expand...

I had my twin boys when just 2 months under 29, my daughter at 1 month into my 37th yr. So i get it. Daughter will be 40 in Sept.
 
As the article noted, life events can change us at any age. But i think in general we tend to become, unless seriously damaged, more our inherent selves.

Especially women born on cusp being Boomers or previous generation, who were subject to more gender dictated expectations and limits.

I sent much of my first 18 yrs catering to Mom's neediness. Without Dad's input during my first decade i'd have been a bigger mess in 20s than i was.

Ages 26-55 my children were top priority, tho my twins had taught me self-care crucial to being any use/benefit to others.

I've learned that sometimes initially hurtful facts are kindnesses (whether saying or hearing them) but when saying i strive to be tactful.

My 39 yr old daughter is much grumpier than i am, but her job requires suffering fools with a smile.

My everyday priorities have changed more than my personality i think. Except for my life goal still being to do as a little harm and as much good a possible.
 
hollydolly said:
I have never been one to suffer fools gladly or otherwise...

I don't drink alcohol..never have except when I was young and tried it , didn't like it...

However I wish my body didn't let me overeat...like your Rose.... :D
Click to expand...
I used to have a glass of wine each evening but stopped months ago in order not to interfere with my medications.
I do love eating, but I curb my enthusiasm as I cannot get any fatter. I'm moving much less just now so not burning any. I eat 3 meals a day and no snacking - that's the best I can do.
 
feywon said:
As the article noted, life events can change us at any age. But i think in general we tend to become, unless seriously damaged, more our inherent selves.

Especially women born on cusp being Boomers or previous generation, who were subject to more gender dictated expectations and limits.

I sent much of my first 18 yrs catering to Mom's neediness. Without Dad's input during my first decade i'd have been a bigger mess in 20s than i was.

Ages 26-55 my children were top priority, tho my twins had taught me self-care crucial to being any use/benefit to others.

I've learned that sometimes initially hurtful facts are kindnesses (whether saying or hearing them) but when saying i strive to be tactful.

My 39 yr old daughter is much grumpier than i am, but her job requires suffering fools with a smile.

My everyday priorities have changed more than my personality i think. Except for my life goal still being to do as a little harm and as much good a possible.
Click to expand...
I absolutely agree we become more who we are with age. I have always been a serious minded person, I always overthink things, I am not a 'fun' person though I do have a sense of humour.
After age 60 I just don't care what people think any more and I refuse to tolerate nonsense. I certainly brook no intrusions, my temper is shorter and I'm very brief and to the point. I cannot abide Wafflers, the talkatives who just go on and on usually about other people's business.

I fully intend to get a lot worse before I'm done! Perhaps it's because I don't chase praise or approval any more from anyone.
 
Rose65 said:
I used to have a glass of wine each evening but stopped months ago in order not to interfere with my medications.
I do love eating, but I curb my enthusiasm as I cannot get any fatter. I'm moving much less just now so not burning any. I eat 3 meals a day and no snacking - that's the best I can do.
Click to expand...
snacking is my downfall... boredom this last 2 years since my husband's been gone.. and of course I'm no longer working...
 
Here is an article on a similar vein - but with a more positive outlook (there's data backing it up):

The Life Events Most Likely To Change Your Personality

Here is a short excerpt from that article:
In what psychologists have dubbed “the maturity principle,” people tend to grow more extraverted, agreeable, and conscientious as they grow older, and less neurotic. The transformation is gradual, essentially unnoticeable to the individual, but after many years, almost everyone can reflect on their past selves and be amazed at the differences.
 

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