Getting older..did your interests expand or shrink

[SZR48207]

Sorry for the poorly worded title. Couldn't think of a better way to phrase it.

Question is: As you've gotten older, did you continue to explore and seek out new things? Or did you eventually settle for a "sweet spot" and your interests have stayed the same for many years?

Example would be music. I remember being so fanatic about new bands and songs and getting physically excited to hear new things. Nowadays I feel like I only listen to old stuff and have no interest in new music.

The same for going out and having a night life. Used to check out new places every weekend and try new foods, but now I find myself thinking of reasons to stay in on a Saturday evening. Not a fan of how people drive at night anyway.

Just wondering if this is a part of aging or maybe the winter season has me feeling blue without realizing....

 

[supton]

Yes and no?

Right now I find myself willing to pay extra for "boring" vehicles. I just want it to go point a to point b. I'll pay extra for that! Seriously. That way I'll actually want to drive the speed limit (or slower even).

I went to college for electrical engineering, but over the years have decided I hate computers. I spend all day on one, so it must be an overload issue. Last thing I want to do on any computer is actually fix one.

OTOH, the wife has been involved in dance all her life, and has gotten our kids into it. This year I... (looks around apprehensively) started taking ballet lessons. At at age 39. I actually enjoy it. It's a new challenge. I also recently took part in a play, and enjoyed doing the few lines I had, the few dances I was in, and the backstage work. Wouldn't make a career of it, but liked it.

I do have problems with having an interest in doing anything when I'm home. Various projects around the house? I'd rather not. Sometimes I'd kill for a reason to go out, to just get out of the house; other times I just want to be home. I'm so busy with work, commute, and taking kids to various things that most of my hobbies are on the backburner (cycling, scrollsaw, ham radio, hiking).

I rarely get excited about new things. But I do get a kick out of watching my kids get excited about new things--everything is so new and fresh to them. To me, most things are old hat.

Edit: I guess I'm just in a busy phase of life. My interests have shrunk due to lack of time. Later in life they may well expand, as time opens up. After having kids, I learned that everything is "just a phase"--the kids were always going through a phase, and now I've realized that I go through phases too.

 

[pandus13]

neeeh, just the winter season, you need more D and B Vitamin.
see beer linky-link

and don't worry, you'll get back into the music when you make the time...

but what gets you heart pounding this days???? (beside stairs )

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Age doesn't play as big of a part in interests, as does your / my wallet.

So our interest may increase at a younger age, due to a fatter wallet, or it may shrink as we age, due to a more-empty wallet.

As far as concert-goings and bar hoppings (plus more attributed to our youth) are concerned, they decline as we age overall. That's a part of body-aging and securing a home partner, not a part of interests increasing or decreasing.

 

[Quest]

My interests expand as I grow older: getting into philosophy, music (opera), doing more IT related studies to expand my area of interests, attending more related conferences, etc.

Also into alternative energy (living offgrid), water conservation subjects and studies, etc.

@ supton: I too, used to hate computers (was an early starter on Apple2 and IBMx86), but came to realise that the world surrounding me changed and I must go along with the flow, whether I like it or not, so I found myself a niche that I have interest in and stayed on until now..

something I wanna learn down the road is tango (dance)...

Q/

 

[Al]

How old is "older"

 

[Quest]

Originally Posted By: Al
How old is "older"


Why?! Not every post coming from Engineer20, you know...

Q.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: Quest
@ supton: I too, used to hate computers (was an early starter on Apple2 and IBMx86), but came to realise that the world surrounding me changed and I must go along with the flow, whether I like it or not, so I found myself a niche that I have interest in and stayed on until now..


I'm actually tempted to get a computer, again. I've been using an iPad Mini for the last 2 years. Wife bought a new computer for home, and I've been on that a couple of times; but she can take care of that contraption... meanwhile, I have a work laptop, and work takes care of that. I lug it wherever I go (even on vacation), so I can always deal with issues that come up.

But I could use a laptop for a code scanner.

Quote:
something I wanna learn down the road is tango (dance)...

Q/


Good luck! When I was younger I was too intimidated, worrying about what others might think. It's taken a few decades to realize that whatever grade-school antics my peers might have had is long gone now. As they say, "those who matter don't care, and those who care don't matter." Won't say I'm up for trying anything out, but rarely do I care what anyone might think of me anymore.

 

[Alfred_B]

Originally Posted By: Reddy45
Sorry for the poorly worded title. Couldn't think of a better way to phrase it.

Question is: As you've gotten older, did you continue to explore and seek out new things? Or did you eventually settle for a "sweet spot" and your interests have stayed the same for many years?

Example would be music. I remember being so fanatic about new bands and songs and getting physically excited to hear new things. Nowadays I feel like I only listen to old stuff and have no interest in new music.

The same for going out and having a night life. Used to check out new places every weekend and try new foods, but now I find myself thinking of reasons to stay in on a Saturday evening. Not a fan of how people drive at night anyway.

Just wondering if this is a part of aging or maybe the winter season has me feeling blue without realizing....


I think getting older is a great thing. I've accumulated knowledge and have reached a point that I have sincerely realized that I know nothing and am just a spec of dust in this universe. It's quite liberating once you understand that.

I've expanded my interests and music, for example. I can listen to anything; Rihanna one moment, and Mozart the next with Thelonious Monk in between.

Physically I am in as good of a shape as I was decades ago in my early twenties.

Skill wise, I am an expert in a few things and an OK amateur in a lot of stuff.

 

[bigt61]

My interest has changed - maybe even "evolved". Yeah, I don't stay out late much, but I can't wait to get up in the morning and make some fresh coffee. I follow the stock market a lot and that keeps me on the computer. Winter is just a depressing time of year because of the short daylight. Take your Vitamin D3 and fish oil. Eat plenty of fat and protein (feeds your brain and muscle mass) and cut way back on carbs. I pretty much follow the "Protein Power" (Dr Eades) routine and it's worked well for me for almost 6 years.

 

[surfstar]

I started rock climbing just before age 30. Got hooked. Replaced surfing as #1 time sink. Have met some awesome friends through climbing and love the time spent outdoors and camping together.
Got my g/f, now fiancé, into it. She enjoys it enough to come along and have fun. She got me into SCUBA (~age 34), and I reciprocate similarly. We split our time among the activities, along with surfing when the waves are good, or snowboarding/skiing when the snow is good.

I like the variety and not solely focusing on one sport/activity. You may not get as good in it, but the variety more than makes up for that.

 

[andrewg]

As I've aged I find that I delve into specific interests deeper than I might have years ago.

As for music, we seem to agree about the new stuff. I can't stand most of it. Pure rubbish.
I explore whatever music happens to catch my ear. Most of it is either decades old, or of an unusual genre not commonly heard. I enjoy listening to new sounds...or revisit old ones that make my thoughts wonder about what the past must have been like. I'll listen to Sinatra and Crosby to relax....maybe then some baroque classical....then over to some old Japanese music from a century or more ago. People think I'm weird...but as I age, I don't care what they think.

I certainly don't enjoy night life anymore. The people out there are not my generation and I have little to discuss with them. I find most younger people very boring and one dimensional. How could they be very interesting when the vast majority of them stare at a smart phone all day long?

I have all but given up on flying for my travel needs. I love seeing new places...but if I can't drive, I generally have no interest. Can't stand the TSA, the lack of real airline service, and the poor manners of other travelers. My age has given me little tolerance of rudeness.

Back to the original question...do interests expand or shrink? They change. Not really shrink. I think you just prioritize pursuits differently and cut out the "fluff" that doesn't hold the same interest as when you were younger.

 

[Donald]

Video games - I never play them and feel its such a waste of time to watch others. I am too old for them.

I think I need to spend more time on current hobbies than get additional ones.

 

[Whitewolf]

The prospect of winter certainly doesn't help.

 

[Lolvoguy]

Originally Posted By: pandus13
neeeh, just the winter season, you need more D and B Vitamin.


no, what OP needs is a SAD light. Works wonders for myself and the GF. Gives you an added boost unlike coffee, sugar etc. and it's totally natural too!

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Both my wife and I work to keep ourselves active and learn new things. I'm 71 and she's 60-something, and expanding our interests has been something we've always practiced.

At 68 I ran for public office for the first time at the county level. When my term is over I won't run for that office again, but I am considering running for something else where I can make a difference. Both my wife and I started a small part time business 3 years ago, and it is also thriving. I'm selling back most of my ownership in another business now that it's on solid financial footings-the business is set up for long term success and I can move on to new the next challenge. I'm looking for something else that I can fill the time with-I do not yet know what that may be.

My wife retired from the firm a couple years ago, but she's still active on several different boards. Both of us have lived a life of continuous learning and expanding our personal interests, and I don't foresee that changing just because we're a few years older.

We still go dancing at least once or twice a month, still entertain friends (old and new) at the house several times a month. Both of us continue to seek out new things, new challenges, and more ways to improve our little corner of the world.

 

[IndyIan]

I have mostly the same interests, just less time to do them with a couple young kids. I'd love to do some autocross again but its a whole day killer on a weekend, so that will wait until they are bit older. With two boys though, I think we will do a lot of stuff I like to do as well, camping, biking, hiking, fishing, hunting later, cutting firewood, etc...
I am with Supton though, I like computers as tools and it used to be a bit of a hobby, but now I find it amazing how annoying they can be to use after all these years...

 

[Lolvoguy]

As I got older, I realized I stopped pinching pennies and enjoyed life more. Started snowboarding, got my motorcycling license, took more local trips...this is all at the same tiem some of my closest friends all started "slowing down" with kids and careers.

Looking back, I wouldnt' have changed a thing in my decision

 

[Papa Bear]

The things I do today to have a full, satisfying day are what I did 40 yrs ago after work.

 

[joaks]

My interests have reduced a lot lot lot since around when grad school started. Even now I have too little time and too little money. I was actually about to make a post about model trains on here. Thinking about getting back into those.

Actually, I should say my hobbies have reduced, not necessarily my interests. A few people mentioned music; my music interests are much broader. Part of this is easy access and part is not caring about what other people think.