Life is less exciting as we age - AIBU?

[GettingUntrapped]

A few days ago I was chatting to an acquaintance and when I said I was feeling a bit bored, he replied that this is to be expected, because as we get older, there are naturally fewer things to be excited about in life. He implied this was his experience. He's about 60.

I've been thinking about this and wonder that with the reduction of sex hormones etc as we age, well, things change, energy changes. I'm 54, but don't really want to give up yet.

Does life just naturally get less exciting around my age? I hate the idea of settling.

I am 52 and life is very boring but I don't mind it that way to be honest. Health problems/ energy levels are really what stops me doing more. My life revolves around dog walks, occasional lunch with friends, occasional meal out/ social event, watching netflix and the odd weekend away or holiday. It depends really what you mean by exciting ?

Definitely less exciting but I think the natural way of things is that most of us are ok with that as we crave different things

It depends how you define 'excitement'. I met my now-DH, had two children and got married in under 4 years. I can't imagine a rollercoaster time like that happening again, but, as my 50s approach, I still feel as though I have loads to look forward to.

I really don't get why 'there are naturally fewer things to be excited about in life' as we get older.

I think exciting is overrated . The kind of things I enjoy in life are the kinds of things that lots of people might consider boring, but that doesn't bother me.

I wonder if your friend means we've ticked off most of the milestones, e.g. career, marriage, children by our 50, so not much left to do? But I see retirement (in about a billion years), child free holidays and grandchildren as something to really look forward to, as well as what's happening right now.

I think only if you think meeting some basic societal pressures give meaning to your life. Then it’s all over by the time you’re - what - 40? If you’ve followed the path of marriage/house/2 kids etc.

If you know that life’s deeper than buying a house and putting in 40 yrs at the same office.....than the ‘milestones’ aren’t really relevant and life remains interesting.

I remember a thread on here a few years ago asking "when did life gets so bleurgh" and it really resonated with me. Life does feel "bleurgh", I'm 40+ but whilst I'm nostalgic of the one night stands, smoky nightclubs etc would I really want to be without the safety and security and child i now have, of course not,

I’m bored only because I don’t have any of the usual trips away planned (due to Covid). Nothing to do with age. Older is good - less ties to home to stop you doing the things you’ve always wanted to do.

As others have said, it does depend on what you consider exiting.

I'm on holiday I Greece at the moment (I know, don't give me the third degree. I'm 70 and this may be my last chance).

I got an email from friends I normally meet here in May saying they were on the island too, and inviting me to dinner.

I was beyond exitited. This, literally, may be the last time I get to meet them. My health is shit, and so is one of theirs.

So, when you are young, new things are exiting. I've realised, now I'm old, last chances to do things are equally exciting.

Less exciting but definitely more interesting. Im cool with it.

Contentment is not to be sniffed at. I'm 36 but very old minded

I don’t know I think life can be exciting however old you are if you make it so.

What the heck do sex hormones have to do with it?
There’s lots to be exited about still - I’m 55 and moving house (with luck) plus holidays once they are allowed again. I get excited to visit friends and to go to the theatre. Pretty much all the same things which used to excite me still do. Excitement for a theatre trip, for example, isn’t a one time thing. I get excited every time!

Agree with @StrictlyAFemaleFemale and @lazylinguist. One person's "exciting" is another person's "stressful"!

Interesting, challenging, emotional, rewarding. Just some of the words I would use to describe my late 40s and early 50s. I am looking forward to more years of that. Wouldn't go back to my 20s for anything! Even though I had a LOT of fun...

There's a lot of excitement to be found in life at any age, you just have to look for it. Sometimes it's there right under your nose.

"Excitement" can do one, as far as I'm concerned. My husband and I have worked hard for security, comfort and contentment. I am absolutely thrilled with my "boring", predictable life. I leave the excitement to my 21 and 23 year old children.

@user1471453601 Good for you - and I hope you have a lovely time!
If this year has taught us anything it's to grab life while we can.

I am in my fifties and partner and I pre covid, were having more fun then ever. Life is what you make it.

On the contrary l’m looking forward to the rest of my 40s and 50s. 30s were a blur of sleep deprivation, nappies and toddler wrangling. Haven’t considered my 60s yet, though.

I'm 37 and definitely feel like the older I get the less excitement there is. I do think its because as you get older you've done most things so theres very little new things to do. Life becomes mundane. Theres also the pressure of working, family, bills etc. We have more responsibility as we grow up. It makes it hard to be wild and spontaneous when you have to pay a mortgage or little people are depending on you to provide for them.

I look at my 2 yr old who gets almost hysterical with excitement for things like going to the playground or playing with the neighbours dog. Literally squealing with excitement. I dont think I'll ever be that excited about anything ever again. It's a sad realisation.

I'm very content with my life but I do feel like my life has lost that spark. But I also think life is what you make it so I'm hoping once the dc are older and the pressure to provide eases I can be abit more carefree and spontaneous.

OP I agree with you -
I sometimes wonder if I need treatment for depression. I'm mid thirties and have a great life (an outsider would say looking in) but I just feel very, very bored and kinda feel like There's little point in life - like why are we here?

Sorry to turn the thread gloomy and I'm not suicidal I wouldn't dream of doing anything like that but doesn't stop me asking the question

I’m mid 50s and my life isn’t boring , today for example I rode a horse that I’ve never ridden before , it was very exciting but then maybe I’m easily entertained .

All of my grandparents lived to ripe old ages really enjoying themselves, and all of them agreed that life long learning was the key to happiness and
health.
They traveled, volunteered, and were active in their communities as well.
I can't think of a time they mentioned being bored, or acted as though they were.
It seemed to work for them, and I'd like to see if it does as well for me too!

@Danni290

OP I agree with you - I sometimes wonder if I need treatment for depression. I'm mid thirties and have a great life (an outsider would say looking in) but I just feel very, very bored and kinda feel like There's little point in life - like why are we here?

Sorry to turn the thread gloomy and I'm not suicidal I wouldn't dream of doing anything like that but doesn't stop me asking the question

Hi Danni,

This might be Depression (I have experienced similar with my Depressive episodes) so is worth asking the GP for some therapy but it might also just be that you need to find more excitement/purpose in life too.

My definition of excitement has changed as l have got older and what used to get me excited years ago now just the thought of makes me exhausted. The thought of having a few hours to myself is exciting to me these days! But l am ok with that so my perception has changed