One of the best parts of growing old and reaching your golden years is prioritizing what matters most to us and blissfully ignoring the rest. As a result, we inevitably lose patience with the things that don’t make much sense anymore and brush off anything that doesn’t align with our lifestyle- which can be enlightening!
After sixty, priorities change, and our perspective on the world becomes more insightful and wise. Time, which was formerly thought to be plentiful, becomes increasingly valuable. This shifts our perspective on what is important and makes us less tolerant of the trivial things that used to occupy our time and attention.
Our golden years are a time for more intentional focus, resulting in most people finally realizing that life is never that serious and that we’re not getting out of this life alive (although 65, or whenever someone chooses to retire, is relatively young these days in the grand scheme of things). When people get there, the following things generally don’t stand a chance in most people’s books and are major pet peeves.
1. A Bad Book
Reading a book is a great practice, but by age 65, we already know a good book from a bad one. It takes great effort to finish a bad book, and few have the patience to finish a badly written story. Most people want to enjoy a great story, not one filled with hard-to-understand crinkum-crankum.
The Neuroscience Institute says reading is great for reducing stress, lowering blood pressure and even getting a good night’s sleep. Most people want a book that will ease stress and not give them a migraine as they try to figure out where the story is heading. What’s the point of wasting time on a bad storyline?
2. Door-to-Door Salespeople
Few people appreciate answering the door only to find a cold pitcher selling extension cables. It takes much time and effort to rise and walk to the door, only to find out it was for no reason.
The icing on the cake is when a salesperson can’t take a hint and get off the front porch. It might lead to some people feeling the need to shut the door in the person’s face or start to yell. It’s a nice reminder for people of any age to put a no soliciting sign on their door.
3. Controlling People
By the time we’re in our 60s, we have already gone through the wringer with decades of bad bosses, rude clients, ungrateful relatives, and mason jars that won’t open—there’s no patience left for people or situations that try to control us. The sixth decade is a time to enjoy freedom and eat retirement benefits in peace, doing what we want and going where we want.
Anyone who tries to control our behavior or actions will promptly be ignored or told off. Controlling behavior is usually a form of emotional abuse, and the older we are, the easier it is to identify such behavior and nip it in the bud.
4. Noise
The older we grow, the more sensitive to noise we get. Our tolerance for noisy places, distracting noises, or incessant talking declines to irritating levels. It’s like the ear gets satiated with all the hearing they’ve had to do for 6 decades.
It’s no wonder that older people always seek out quieter areas and times of solitude for peace and tranquility. Many even move away from bustling cities to more tranquil, remote states.
5. Technology Frustrations
Even while technology has clearly changed the world, we become less patient with its drawbacks as we age. We have little patience for glitches or adjusting to constantly changing interfaces. While some older people suffer from geriatric technophobia, not all are incapable of controlling technology.
Older individuals need simpler and more reliable technological tools- prioritizing ease of use and functionality over cutting-edge features. Complex software and hard-to-control gadgets are not favorites of many 60-year-olds, even though they may have been knowledgeable and tech-savvy a few years before.
6. Superficial Relationships
After navigating all flavors of relationships and experiences for sixty years, superficial relationships are not appealing. From shallow small talk to surface-level relationships to materialistic endeavors, we yearn for authenticity and depth. Old age is more about meaningful connections, and genuine experiences precede superficiality.
Rather than spending time on superficial relationships going nowhere, they choose to focus their energy on staying connected to those they love. Additionally, they may try to mend broken relationships that they know are worth it.
7. Unsolicited Advice
Unsolicited advice can be especially annoying after 65 because you have a lifetime of experiences to draw from. People have limited patience for people who assume they know best.
Unwarranted meddling in personal matters or well-meaning but unneeded guidance is annoying, especially if it comes from a younger person. Respect for individuality and autonomy grows significantly, reducing tolerance for unsolicited advice.
8. Difficult Instructions
After years of reading “circling back” emails and contracts, we develop impatience for instructions that are not clear and concise. Whether it’s vague instructions, long-winded explanations, or ambiguous messages, there’s little patience for anything that hampers effective understanding.
As a result, most individuals may become more assertive and precise in their interactions. Some may find this assertiveness annoying, but they’re just seeking clarity.
9. Uncomfortable Clothing
Youth is a time to enjoy elegance in uncomfortable clothing, but by the time we reach 65, comfort trumps all.
In our 60s, many will decide to ditch tight jeans, high heels, and tight polo necks for more practical shoes, sneakers, and sweatpants. Older age might require us to have shoes we can kick off without bending and those that won’t hurt our backs when we walk. This by no means people in their 60s aren’t fashionable, but fashion changes to include more comfort.
10. Time-wasting Activities
Answering the question, “What am I doing here?” is important for us when we reach 65. We have no patience for time-wasting activities or endeavors. The ’60s come with a heightened awareness of the finite nature of time, and people want to be involved in the most meaningful things.
Activities that squander this precious resource are met with dwindling patience. After 65, there’s a strong aversion to anything that doesn’t contribute meaningfully to one’s life or well-being. Most seniors want to engage in activities that stimulate the mind and keep them active and social in their lives.
11. Waiting in Line
No one enjoys waiting in line unless you’re making money from it. Our patience for queuing wanes with every year we live, and by the time we’re in our 60s, it’s as thick and strong as cling film. Most older people will confess that standing in line is one of the most tedious activities, and some would rather miss an appointment than queue to get attended to.
Most people who have crossed the sixth-decade line will gladly walk away from a queue if it takes longer than it would take them to tie their laces. Many prefer going to the grocery store or the bank when there’ll be as few people as possible, such as very early in the morning.
12. Disrespect
Many 60-year-olds and anyone within their age bracket cannot stand seeing disrespect being served, whether directed at us or we witness it being expressed to someone else. Many older people value respect and will not hesitate to correct anyone who is being disrespectful, especially elders.
Older folks may think most younger people today lack a sense of respect. It’s common to see a young person talking back at elders, sometimes their parents. We’re far from the time when people used to rise to give the elderly seats. Many virtues drive a relationship, but Psychology Today notes that mutual respect is one of the most important.
13. Crowds
There’s a collective dislike for crowds among older folks, and it’s understandable. A crowd will always be accompanied by noise and chaos; most 65-year-olds do not want either. Many individuals will make every possible excuse to avoid a situation that requires them to be in a crowd.
While the idea of fun was once a night in a crowded bar or a Woodstock-level concert, getting older creates a desire for smaller, quieter gatherings. Crowds bring some unpredictability as they become rowdy without warning, and no senior wants to find themselves in a situation requiring them to run for their lives.
Of course, not all 60-year-olds will think the same. Plenty of folks are still rocking their heels and blasting loud music themselves. On the other hand, some 20-year-olds would rather stay in and avoid crowds and loud noises. Plus, 60 is the new 40, with so much life left to live as life expectancy and medical technology advances.
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I’m a Language and Literary Studies (Honors) graduate with 11 years of experience in magazine and blog writing and content creation. I’m passionate about storytelling for change and believe in the power of words to make a difference. My writing is thought-provoking, accessible, and engaging, focusing on the Psychology of human behavior, complex social issues, personal experiences, and the latest trends. I’m a wife and a Mom of three.
I’m a Language and Literary Studies (Honors) graduate with 11 years of experience in magazine and blog writing and content creation. I’m passionate about storytelling for change and believe in the power of words to make a difference. My writing is thought-provoking, accessible, and engaging, focusing on the Psychology of human behavior, complex social issues, personal experiences, and the latest trends. I’m a wife and a Mom of three.
