Why do I seem more nervous now that I'm older??

Question

I don't remember ever being like this when I was younger.(I'm 51) Now I have started a new job and everything is going good, why do I still have the nervous stomach and wake up early? My head knows everything is good but my subconcious rules. I worry that I'm doomed to feel this way in every new situation. Is that natural? or am I thinking too much?

Answer 1

Personally speaking, I find myself more nervous now than I was when I was, say 21. I believe its because we've experienced more of the world and learned that its not the "happy go lucky" little safe place we believed.

Starting a new job can be stressful. The pressure of that, added with worrying about what others you work with might think about the way you are, what you wear and how you act can bring your nerves to a high peak.

Try to remember that everyone you work with has to strip to bath. Everyone is the same when you break it down to the bare basics. Breath deep, give yourself a mantra such as :
"I deserve this job, I'm good at it and I'm just as good as my co-workers". Repeat it everyone morning and try to relax.
*hugs*

Answer 2

Lynn, I think what you are realizing suddenly now has been building up over the years. Life in our Western 'civilization' takes a tremendous toll on the nervous system. I retired ten years ago at 60, and it was five years before I 'calmed down' to a sane level of emotional activity. Even now I can get a bit stroppy at times, so don't worry about things, especially the bridges you haven't yet crossed. Take up a bit of Yoga, or Tai Chi, or if your inclined, seek out a copy of Marion Weinstein's "Positive Magic". Blessed be, girl, on this International Women's Day.