One of the things I like best about being older is that I'm smarter about how I use my limited patience. I don't waste it on BS.

For me getting older means also not giving a toot what people think of me especially in regards to my disability. I am as I am and if it offends you or you feel the need to criticize too bad. I also like it that my kids are grownups now with their own lives and I can be selfish and have all the me time I like. I am determined not to be the interfering MIL unless asked.

The downside of getting older is the aches, pains, and skin problems I have now due to my stupidity. I did a lot of things in my youth that I am paying for now.

When I was younger I wanted everyone to like me. Well that didn't work . So as I got older I didn't care if anyone liked me . That didn't work either. I guess you just cant please everyone so I no longer try. I just try to please me . It worked. Sad thing when your young you trust every one . Now I trust no one. Kind of sad . But I am at peace.which is a good place for me. Not sure if I am making any since. Some days are like that.

When I was young, I tried to find the good in everyone. Now, I rarely waste the few brain cells I have left trying to find "at least one good thing" for it's usually a waste of time, energy, and brain cells. ha So, Barb, I completely understand. I've not gotten wiser as much as I have gotten more confused over the reasons folks do the things they do.
I dont critisize myself as much as I used to, sucking in unfounded guilt over the actions of others. I was a regular martyr/sap in THAT dept! I can look myself in the mirror as I pluck those chin hairs out and know my morals are in tact and my heart tries to stay in the right place.
Thanks to Paxil and fatigue, my anxiety has lessened.and I realize a good ole "geezer" nap can do wonders.I traded alcohol for chocolate......my flat chest for salines, my size 6 jeans for 9's..... and.my name from mommy to gramma (which has a lovely ring to it and the qualifications are so much more sweet!)
I changed my slutty days of yore to 24 years of monogamy, which comes in handy these days with my libido being as zesty as a pet rock. Which with hub not feeling very patriotic rarely salutes these days anyways...
And remember folks, anything that made you smile was exactly what you wanted at that time...so forget all the regrets, think of em as experience.I'm 52 and I'll be damned if I'm done living, growing up, and jumping on the bed. (Hips willing!) xxxx

ImQuarterflash - boy that sure hit something that I have found good about getting older.

We actually know other people in a very short period of time - a matter of minutes = the specialists say.

I used to second-guess myself ALL of the time and get taken because of it. Not anymore - I believe my first reactions now and stay with that, rather than doubting myself. If I'm wrong - oh well - time is too short to try to understand everyone. I just don't care anymore.

I can only say bravo...to all of you for figuring out the essence of aging or some such shit... at.twenty we worry about what others think of us; at forty we don't care about what others think of us; at sixty we discover they haven't been thinking about us at all.

Linda and str8, so true.I don't know why I always second guessed myself but I did. No longer. And true enough we gave them so much credit , they weren't even thinking about us.

I honestly have to say, I've never cared what others thought of me; I learned that in high school and I always believed my gut feelings about people. It used to drive hubby nuts, but I was always right about people. I am not finding getting old to be particularly attractive and by gosh, I'm fighting it all the way to the grave. I will not roll over and give up. I watched my mom deteriorate over the last 5 years of her life, I don't plan to go out the same way.

Ha TnWife what you said about finding getting old particularly attractive I have made it a life goal to look about the best I can when in a few years I will be celebrate my 50th wedding anniversary and when I did when I got married. My kids are critical of my attitude but then maybe it just that ole "boomer" thinking,