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Turning 50 and Moving On?

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Group admin:: flipsidejourney
Created:: March 15, 2008
: 59 Members

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Turning 50, real life scripts, pop culture, mental health

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Attitude Adjustment

Posted: Apr 8, 08 3:56am

I have noticed something about myself as I get older: I seem to care less and less about what others think about me. I have been retired for 7 years and no longer have to worry about the corporate mindset, but it seems more than that. I would summarize my attitude as, "Life is too short too fuss and fight. If you have a problem with me, then drop the argument and just go away and leave me alone." It doesn't matter who is involved here, either friends, family, or others that I have contact with.

I generally think that others see me as a good person and a nice guy and it's not that I won't make an effort to get along with others. For the most part, I have no problems with personal relationships. Basically, I feel as if I believe what I believe and I'm sorry if you don't feel the same way.

My question is: Do other TBDers feel the same way as I do, is it just a personal problem that maybe I should address, or is senility setting in and I becoming a cantankerous old coot?

Tags:

attitude, opinion, relationships

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10 Comments // 7 Members

Jo Lewis

Posted: Apr 8, 08 6:30am

KesBowl wrote:

I have noticed something about myself as I get older: I seem to care less and less about what others think about me. I h...

Two thoughts that hit home for me:

At age 20, we worry about what others think of us;

At age 40, we no longer care what they think of us;

At age 60, we realize they haven't been thinking of us at all!

And

The only gracious way to accept an insult is to ignore it; if you can't ignore it - top it; if you can't top it - laugh at it; if you can't laugh at it - it's probably deserved.

I laugh a lot!

Peace

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IsadoraAlman

Posted: Apr 8, 08 9:12am

KesBowl wrote:

I have noticed something about myself as I get older: I seem to care less and less about what others think about me. I h...

In general, I think that conducting one's life according to one's own dictates rather than others' is a sign of maturity. By and large I agree with you and live my life in the same way. However it's HOW you do it that makes a big difference. This same attitude you describe can be taken as surly too: "Like me or lump it; I don't give a shit" rather than "I refuse to be drawn in to your issues."

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Granny Gladys

Posted: Apr 8, 08 10:47am

KesBowl wrote:

I have noticed something about myself as I get older: I seem to care less and less about what others think about me. I h...

I reckon other folks are just going to have to think what they think. I don't want people to think I'm mean, when I ain't, but there is not enough time in a day to get bothered about it and mess up your blood pressure.

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KesBowl

Posted: Apr 8, 08 2:10pm

IsadoraAlman wrote:

In general, I think that conducting one's life according to one's own dictates rather than others' is a sign of maturity...

I really do ry to be diplomatic and respectful of others but bottom line is: Take me for what I am and if you can't, then don't let the door hit you on the way out.

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Birdie

Posted: Jun 12, 08 8:58am

KesBowl wrote:

I have noticed something about myself as I get older: I seem to care less and less about what others think about me. I have been retired for 7 years and no longer have to worry about the corporate mindset, but it seems more than that. I would summarize my attitude as, "Life is too short too fuss and fight. If you have a problem with me, then drop the argument and just go away and leave me alone." It doesn't matter who is involved here, either friends, family, or others that I have contact with.

I generally think that others see me as a good person and a nice guy and it's not that I won't make an effort to get along with others. For the most part, I have no problems with personal relationships. Basically, I feel as if I believe what I believe and I'm sorry if you don't feel the same way.

My question is: Do other TBDers feel the same way as I do, is it just a personal problem that maybe I should address, or is senility setting in and I becoming a cantankerous old coot?

I have become the same way.

Its not that I don't care about people,I just don't care what they think of me-how I look or dress,my opinions. Everyone has the right to be themselves,as long as they hurt no one else in doing it.

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KesBowl

Posted: Jun 13, 08 7:04am

Thanks Robin, at least I know it's not just me. Actually, I seemed to have become the designated a**hole of the family. If something difficult needs to be said to a friend or family member, they all turn to me. Of course, I try to address issues as tactfully as I can, but sometimes there's no sugar-coating an issue. The same goes for me - I think that I can take it as well as dish it out. The big difference nowadays is that about 10% of the time, I know my shortcomings but just don't care. I'm a fairly positive person so I hope I'm not just becoming a grumpy old man.

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Birdie

Posted: Jun 13, 08 3:44pm

Hi Kesb,

I don't think that you are becoming a grumpy old man. Just one who can step back and see how things truly are.

You know the saying "Don't sweat the small stuff" and the addendum "its all small stuff."?

Seems to me that you have figured that out.

Hope we can chat again!

Robin Lane

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