Older & Over It: 14 Things We Grow To Hate As We Age

Older folks have a reputation for grumpiness. Young kids and twenty-somethings see adults in their 40s and beyond as dull, snarky, and unagreeable. 

The Truth About Getting Older

Experienced people know the truth. Life isn’t all roses and butterflies, so we learn to like what we like and set firm boundaries to avoid things we don’t like. 

While surfing the internet, I stumbled upon a question asking older generations to share some of the things they started to dislike as they got older. 

The answers ranged from the struggles of aging to new technologies. I’m sure you’ll find something you can relate to in the responses!

Old Body, Young Mind

Older man holding his back as if it hurts.
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The top response lamented the body’s failings as we age.  “My brain still thinks that my body is still in my mid 20’s,” said one user. 

“I went to the doctor for back pain several years ago, and the diagnosis was basically “You’re 30, not 20,” added another. 

We may want to stay up all night, hike that mountain on a whim, work out without stretching, and eat greasy pizza at 10 pm, but our bodies quickly remind us that’s not the answer. 

All the Subscription Services

man choosing a subscription plan from a computer screen holding his credit card.
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Back in our day, when you bought something, it was yours. With technological advances, companies learned they could make even more money by charging a monthly fee for products and services instead. 

Enter the subscription model. 

Older Redditors hate the new system. 

Some invest in physical media for ad-free viewing, while others reject subscriptions for things like heated seats in cars. 

People in General

Pretty woman with an annoyed and bored look on her face on an orange background.
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Many users said they started to hate other people more and more the older they got. 

“I’m 40, and I’m starting to dislike people altogether,” shared one user, seeking advice on how to avoid the pitfall because they don’t want to hate people. 

“My dislike of throngs of vile humanity began in my 40’s, and 20 yrs later, it has not changed,” added another. 

Aging Parents

Young female doctor caring for an older female patient.
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As we approach middle age, our parents approach their golden years, and the terrifying realization that they won’t be around forever really hits home. 

“The fear of losing them soon terrifies me,” admitted one user, speaking of their aging parents. 

“A few days ago, I was looking at a picture of my dad that was taken that day. For the first time, I realized how old he looks now,” added another. 

Losing our loved ones is part of life. People age and move on from this world. That doesn’t mean we have to like it, though. 

The Exhaustion

Tired man and woman both sleeping at a desk with their head resting on one hand.
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Middle age is a rough time. We have so many responsibilities and obligations that we have little time to experience life’s joys.  

“I find myself always exhausted and unfulfilled by just everything around me,” shared one user. 

Others mentioned there might be an underlying cause to the overwhelming feelings, such as depression, ADHD, or even thyroid issues. 

Dating

man and woman. He's holding yellow flowers wearing yellow suspenders and a white shirt and looks happy. She's wearing a yellow dress and looks happily surprised.
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Dating as a teenager and young adult was fun! Each date offered a world of exciting possibilities, and you never knew what might come of it. 

As an older adult, it loses its appeal. 

“Now that I’m older, it’s a whole ordeal and feels more like a job interview,” said one user. 

“I used to find the process exciting, but now I find it exhausting and people in general to be users and time wasters,” shared another. 

Corporate Culture

straightforward business man
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Young people just starting their careers see corporate environments as the next big frontier. They love the idea of work as a family, game rooms in break rooms, and mandatory happy hours that help them befriend their colleagues. 

As we grow, we realize all that stuff is just icky icing on a nasty cake. 

A “fun” culture may hook young folks, but older people just want to be paid for their job so they can go home. 

Negativity and Drama

woman wearing pink sweater on a blue bacground screaming in rage.
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“Life is too short to waste time on those things,” said one sage Redditor. 

Older people may seem callous but refuse to engage in the drama. It’s not grumpiness. It’s choosing happiness over the trivial and meaningless fake problems others create to keep their lives interesting. 

Hustle Culture

Man asleep on his laptop keyboard with his glasses askew to represent the negatives of hustle culture.
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It’s not just hustling at the normal job. Young folks don’t mind working a 9 to 5 and then coming home to work on their own business. Unfortunately, with hustle culture becoming the norm, people need these side gigs to survive. 

Older folks aren’t into it. One user said they’ve come to dislike “The idea of needing to “hustle” to have a decent life.” 

Women’s Clothing

woman with mad and confused facial expression holding one hand up as if to say "what?".
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Women’s clothing is awful, and as we age, we start to realize how horrible it is. 

“Is it too much trouble to ask/make a full t-shirt?” asked one user. 

“What cracks me up the most is sweatshirts, sweaters, and heavy jackets being cut so short to rib cage to show midriff. I just want to be warm!!!” exclaimed another. 

Other users pointed to the lack of pockets, short shorts, and sleeves without room for arms as other examples of poorly designed women’s clothing. 

Grocery Stores

woman browsing aisle at the grocery store
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One user’s response was something no one ever liked, but that gets worse the older we get. 

“When they rearrange the grocery store,” the user shared, as something they dislike more and more as they age. 

Many users agreed, saying the new looks seldom even make sense. “The grocery store near me recently rearranged, and suddenly the peanut butter was in the aisle with the ketchup instead of over by the jams and jellies,” shared one, baffled by the new arrangement. 

Facebook

Woman using her phone with social media icons floating out of it. She also has a laptop open.
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Remember when Facebook was cool? The millennial generation loved Facebook when it first appeared on college campuses nationwide. It was a great way to connect with friends in the new online world. 

The older we get, the more we realize how awful Facebook is. Sure, we can keep in touch with old friends, but it’s also a cesspool of toxic opinions and propaganda. 

America’s Toxic Work Culture

man at work looks really bored and unhappy
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Our work culture is destroying us. Find out how. 

Read it Here: America’s Toxic Work Culture

Following the Life Script

couple sitting at a table. Man looks happy, woman looks bored.
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Find out how the life script keeps us trapped and miserable.

Enjoy Life While You Can

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The world abounds with opportunity. There’s tons of stuff to do and see in the world. 

Check out our epic list of over 200 bucket list ideas to find adventures to enhance your life. 

Author: Melanie Allen

Title: Journalist

Expertise: Pursuing Your Passions, Travel, Wellness, Hobbies, Finance, Gaming, Happiness

Melanie Allen is an American journalist and happiness expert. She has bylines on MSN, the AP News Wire, Wealth of Geeks, Media Decision, and numerous media outlets across the nation and is a certified happiness life coach. She covers a wide range of topics centered around self-actualization and the quest for a fulfilling life.