Aging is a natural part of life. We grow older, we gain more experience, and supposedly, we become wiser. It’s a cycle as old as time itself.
But have you ever noticed that some individuals tend to become more set in their ways as they age?
Here’s what’s interesting.
Often, these people don’t even realize the change in their behavior. They see it as standing their ground or being firm in their beliefs. But to others, it can come across as being stubborn or difficult.
So, is there a pattern to this? Do these individuals unknowingly exhibit certain behaviors?
If you’ve found yourself asking, “Why do people become more difficult as they age?” or “What makes someone stubborn in their old age?” then you’re in the right place.
Let’s delve into these behaviors that people who become more difficult and stubborn as they age typically display – without even realizing it!
Change is a constant in life, right?
But here’s the thing. As we age, we often become more comfortable with routine. Our habits, beliefs, and ways of doing things feel familiar and safe. They form a part of our identity.
What happens then? Well, when something threatens to disrupt this routine, it can cause discomfort. It can feel like an intrusion into our well-established way of life.
Now, this isn’t to say that all older people resist change. Many embrace it with open arms. But for those who become more difficult and stubborn as they get older, change can seem like an unwelcome guest.
And the ironic part? They may not even realize their resistance.
They may view it as holding on to their principles or maintaining consistency in their life. It’s about feeling safe and secure in what they know and understand.
Now, here’s a funny story.
I remember my dear old Aunt Sally. She was a wonderful woman, full of life and laughter.
But as she got older, I noticed a certain change in her behavior. She seemed to have less patience for everything – whether it was waiting in line at the grocery store or sitting through a family gathering.
At first, I brushed it off. After all, we all have our bad days, right?
But then I started noticing it more often. The quick temper when the television remote wouldn’t work, the frustration when her favorite newspaper wasn’t delivered on time, the irritation when a conversation didn’t go her way.
It was surprising to see such impatience in someone who had always been known for her calm and collected demeanor.
Upon reflection, it wasn’t that Aunt Sally had become a difficult person overnight. It was just that, with age, her tolerance for things not going as planned had decreased.
Let’s talk straight, growing old can be tough.
There’s something about aging that brings with it a certain level of vulnerability. Whether it’s physical health, mental wellness, or just the fear of the unknown, it can be a challenging time.
So, what do we do when we’re scared? We put up walls. We become harder to deal with, harder to break through. Not because we want to be difficult or stubborn, but because we’re trying to protect ourselves.
There was this gentleman in my neighborhood, Mr. Jenkins. He was a retired army officer and known for his tough exterior.
But as he aged, that toughness seemed to increase tenfold. He became unapproachable and stern and it was like he was always on the defensive.
Now looking back, I realize it wasn’t stubbornness or difficulty per se. It was fear – the fear of vulnerability that comes with aging. He was just trying to shield himself from the world because he felt increasingly vulnerable.
So, if you see someone becoming more rigid in their behavior as they age, try and see beyond the surface.
It might not be stubbornness you’re witnessing, but a shield against vulnerability that they may not even realize they’re putting up.
Ever heard the saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”?
Well, it’s not entirely accurate. But it does hold a grain of truth when it comes to cognitive flexibility – the ability to adapt our thinking to new situations, ideas, and perspectives.
As we age, this cognitive flexibility can sometimes take a hit. We become more set in our ways, more attached to our beliefs, and less open to different viewpoints.
Take my mom for instance. She’s always been a strong-minded woman. But as she’s gotten older, I’ve noticed her becoming more rigid in her thinking.
She’s less open to new ideas and more likely to stick to her tried-and-true methods.
And the funny part? She doesn’t even see it. She thinks she’s just sticking to what she knows works.
If you notice someone becoming more inflexible in their thinking, it might not be a sign of them being stubborn or difficult. It could just be a natural result of aging that they themselves may not even realize.
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Did you know our brains are wired to rely on past experiences to make decisions? It’s a survival mechanism that has served us well throughout history. But as we age, this reliance on past experiences can sometimes become overbearing.
Here’s what I mean.
As we gather more and more experiences over the years, our brains start to use these as a reference point for making decisions. It’s a way of making sense of the world around us.
But here’s the catch.
This reliance on the past can sometimes make us closed off to new experiences. It can make us seem stubborn or difficult when, in reality, we’re just trying to navigate life using the tools we have – our past experiences.
Take my friend George, for example. As he’s gotten older, I’ve noticed him becoming more reliant on his past experiences. Whether it’s deciding which restaurant to go to, or how to fix a leaky faucet, he often references his past experiences.
So, if you notice an older person constantly referring back to their past experiences and seeming resistant to new ideas or methods, it might not be stubbornness but a cognitive process of aging they might not even be aware of.
Life is unpredictable, isn’t it?
As we age, that unpredictability can start to feel a little overwhelming. We start to crave more control over our surroundings and our lives. It’s a way of making sense of the world, of feeling secure amidst the uncertainty.
My neighbor, Mrs. Patterson, is a perfect example. As she has gotten older, I’ve noticed her need for control increasing. Whether it’s how her garden is arranged or the way she organizes her weekly grocery shopping, she likes things done in a certain way.
And you know what? She doesn’t even realize it. She sees it as maintaining order in her life.
But here’s what we need to remember – it’s not about them being difficult or stubborn. It’s about them trying to find some semblance of control in a world that can often feel chaotic and unpredictable.
At the end of the day, we’re all human. We seek comfort, familiarity, and a sense of belonging. And as we age, this need for familiarity and comfort can increase.
Think about it this way.
As we get older, the world around us continues to change. New technologies emerge societies evolve, and the familiar starts to feel less so. It’s natural then to seek out what feels familiar and comfortable.
So, if an older person in your life seems resistant to trying new things or stepping out of their comfort zone, understand that they’re not being difficult or stubborn on purpose. They’re simply seeking comfort in the familiar – something they may not even be consciously aware of.
Getting older is a journey, one that comes with its own set of challenges and transformations. It’s a journey that we all embark on, knowingly or unknowingly.
The behaviors we discussed, whether it’s resistance to change, increased impatience, or seeking familiarity, are not signs of stubbornness or difficulty.
They’re simply responses to the changes that come with age. And often, people don’t even realize they’re exhibiting these behaviors.
But here’s the thing – understanding is the first step towards empathy and acceptance.
If you recognize these traits in someone you know, remember that they’re not being difficult on purpose. They’re trying to navigate the changes in their own way.
And if you see these behaviors in yourself as you age, know that it’s okay. It’s part of the journey. Self-awareness can help you understand your own reactions and perhaps even guide them in a different direction.
Aging is inevitable. But how we respond to it – that’s up to us. Let’s approach it with kindness, empathy, and understanding, for ourselves and for others. After all, we’re all in this together.
The post People who become more difficult and stubborn as they get older typically display these 7 behaviors (without realizing it) appeared first on Small Business Bonfire.
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