Anyone else becoming more introverted as you get older…?

[NorthernLass50]

Am just curious really…
I used to be pretty sociable in my 20s and 30s but have slowly got more and more introverted as I’ve got older - am now 52.

I’m married, no kids and work full time as a community nurse which I love. I have a small circle of close friends who I see pretty regularly.
I’m on a week’s holiday. DH has gone away for 5 days and it’s just me and our dog.
Apart from getting my hair done, I’ve made no plans with anyone and am loving the solitude.

Anyone else experience this as they get older?

I'm a sociable person but as I've got older it has become more on my own terms. I diaries staying at home and not doing anything which I never did when I was younger. Then again I'm now in a steady job, and love my house more than I ever did before.

Oh absolutely, and I am a decade younger than you. I would love nothing more than just to be on my own for a bit but my life does not allow it. Enjoy every minute of this week

Yes, absolutely. I'm in my mid 40s and I just don't like socialising, especially in the evening, these days. I like being at home with my little family, and chatting to my friends at work.
And, another change I have noticed as I get older, I don't care what people think of me not going out. Years ago I would have gone out because I felt obligated, but now, no chance!

Yes im 39 and am a lot more picky how I spend my time plus I dont have the energy I had in my teens and 20s. On the plus now im older iv got a lot better at saying no to people if I don't want to do something. Give me a night on the sofa with the family and a takeaway any day pure bliss.

I think I’ve got more sociable but with small groups or one or one, and I’m very specific about who I want to spend time with. Strangely my colleagues have become more important to me than they used to be, but again, just the ones with whom I have an actual connection.

The thought of going to a gig or festival, which I used to love in my teens and twenties, is now horrifying to me!

Hell is other people.

I am out every single day (late 60s here) but mostly on my own walking, visiting this place and that and so on. Nothing like your own company I say!

I do have regular (once a month maybe) meetings with family and one or two friends. Definitely during daylight hours lol.

I go on hols with a friend but we always have separate rooms and I chose her wisely as she is quite happy to toddle off to do her own thing, but it's nice to have someone around for dinner in a different country/setting.

I could live without anyone. Socialising for the sake of it is highly overrated IMV. But I do enjoy it occasionally.

I'm a member of the non-club club too.

I definitely prefer my own company. I can go weeks without seeing a friend and I'm perfectly happy with that.

Absolutely. I used to think it was because I was 'peopled out', I was a secondary school teacher, and by the evening and weekend I just couldn't be bothered with having to make any more effort, socially.

Now I'm retired I've realised that even without seeing hundreds of people a day I just prefer pottering about at home, reading and doing my own thing. It feels like a huge effort to go out socialising and I am now extremely choosy what I go to.

In my 20s I loved being down the pub - now I can think of little worse.

In my 20s and 30s, I wouldn't have dreamt of going on holiday on my own but that is exactly what I've done for the last 15 years with my dogs (I'm now early 60s.) On two occasions I've had a friend and a relative come with me but I actually prefer spending my holidays with my dogs. I beach walk, read a lot and generally decompress. I do have a job which involves speaking to the public all day every day so I think that's a factor in my choice of dog company over human company. Also, as we age I think we become more independent minded and less inclined to care if we're judged for going on solo holidays. I certainly have anyway!

yes! I recognised some time ago that I much prefer socialising with individuals or small groups, so generally turn down party invitations.

I enjoyed lockdown so much I was genuinely concerned how I would cope with coming out of it.

I used to be out all the time a few years back, well two decades ago.

I'm calling it self-sufficient. Don't want to spend my energy on chasing people and compromising

Definitely. As I've got older I enjoy my own company more and have found the ability to just say no to things I don't want to do. I have a few very good friends who feel pretty much like me so we meet up now and again and that's enough. We're there if we need each other but generally speaking we all think an ideal week is one with an empty diary.

I wrote that on here once and got lots of, 'Careful or you'll be a lonely old lady' type posts. I'm old now and never lonely.

I’m also 52 and becoming more and more introverted. I like socialising one to one, but find groups overwhelming, and prefer to go out for lunch with friends rather than go out in the evening. Unfortunately I have a very people-y job (lecturer) which can be quite draining.

My DP (who I live with very happily) was away last weekend on an annual lads’ sport thing. I went to M&S and got “girl dinner” things for the three nights, and other than the cat and the man I dropped stuff to in the charity shop I didn’t speak to a soul. It was delightful!

Yep. I'm 53. Not only do I not want to socialise, I actually crave time entirely on my own, much as I love dh and my late teen dc.

Unfortunately I have a very people-y job (lecturer) which can be quite draining.

Me too, @judystilldreamsofhorses - I'm a secondary school teacher!

Thanks for all the replies; it’s good to see how other people feel the same.
I had plans today but my friend unintentionally double booked herself so we’re rearranging. A happy plan is a cancelled plan 🤣🤣🤣

Always been surrounded by active family business duties from a child, then business and two marriages, children. Had to work in the shop too. Socialising for our culture is always impromptu, with extended family, on a sofa, meze and some wine

Going to events yes, going out to pubs with women , no. I literally owned a whole winery with a guest taverna which we used to open occasionally for booked events.

I don't need absolutely anyone who is forced on me. I live by natural charisma, if I seem to like you, that means you already adore me so we rather meet up, of course.