Is it inevitable that you will be bitter as you age?

Question

Everyone that I've come across so far who are college graduates, middle-aged, my older brother, mom, and dad all have such ****** bad attitudes about life, excuse my language. I am very much aware that life is hard, one has to work endless hours at a coporate firm or other work setting, get paid the minimum, live paycheck to paycheck, and have no time to enjoy hobbies or engage in a stress outlet (exercise, musical instrument, etc). My question is, does it really catch up to everyone, even those that believe in positivity? Currently, I am a nursing student. I know I don't have it even half as bad as these full-time workers but I did my share of studying full-time as a nrsg student, working at a hospital, and getting As and Bs on my report card...due to this I really had no social life & had a nervous breakdown. Therefore, I can empathize to a certain extent. I used to be an idealist but now am more realistic. Now, I realize that reality bites but attitude is the key.

I still believe you can be positive as you get older...yes you will have stressful moments (it can be long or short...look I'm being realistic what do you know!) but overall, your outlook on life doesn't have to be so negative..what do you think?

Answer 1

You've asked a very important question. I think it's easier for young people to be positive because they are not as aware of a lot of the bad stuff in the world. "Ignorance is bliss" as the saying goes. As we get older it's important to learn to be happy in spite of our knowledge of the bad things. Also, young people are at the peak of their physical perfection, and can think about how wonderful their future will be. Older people are often looking back at the past to find the best days in their lives. A belief in God and Heaven gives people something good to look forward to in the future. I don't think anyone can be happy without hope.

Answer 2

Actually, I found I was more negative in my 20s and 30s...absolutely TERRIFIED of the big 4-0 because no one spoke postively about it. I had a broken marriage, a rotten love life, a lot of unrealistic expectations and was feeling very much like a failure. It was just awful...and I wasted a lot of time and energy feeling sorry for myself. In fact, I told folks I didn't even want to celebrate my 40th...I dreaded seeing all those stupid Over The Hill baloons and what not...and thinking my life was truly over and no one would love me.

Well, I went to bed the night before my 40th birthday, woke up a year older and realized something... ARMEGEDDON DIDN'T TAKE PLACE! I didn't suddenly morph into some ugly old hag, and I could still remember what I ate for breakfast the day before...lol. So it was then I realized the platitude "Life BEGINS at 40" is true. After I was able to let go of the baggage, things got better and better. My daughter graduated h.s. and began her life. I found a man after YEARS of datelessness, suddenly had men half my age hitting on me (no I didn't go with it...but hell yeah it was flattering!)... even got a better job...and began to work toward a dream I always had, but people said was unrealistic...being a songwriter and musician, hence my nickname "Rock and Roll Granny"!

So how did I escape the bitterness trap? Things changed because My ATTITUDE got better...because I chose to have a better attitude...

So, to answer your question, NO it is not inevitable that one will be bitter as they age. It's true an "old dog" can learn new tricks... if they want to learn them...and are willing to make the effort....but I'd would temper this by saying denial is not good. I don't care what the women's magazines say 40, 50, 60 is NOT the new 30, 20 or even 2. It is what it is...and we can make either the best or worst of it. The key to remaining upbeat in aging is having the serenity to accept the things you cannot change, the courage to change the things you can and the WISDOM to know the difference....

If turning 40 was so great, I can't wait to see what the big 5-0 in 3 1/2 more years brings my way....

Answer 3

Since I'm 60, I can answer about MYSELF. I promised a little 5 year old girl back in 1993...to never grow up. I've been working with 3rd/4th graders (and for 10 years 3 years thru 6th grade) since 1993 straight. I have a better out look on life than some YOUNG WHIPPER SNAPPERS I know. I do a lot of things on the 'outside': I sing with a group that has sung in Paris/London, Paraguay, Moscow and next year THEY are going to Scotland. I also belong to the group you can see in the following website (Patriot Guard Riders...making a WELCOME HOME mission on the 10th for a U.S. Marine who is returning from Iraq.). I teach Sunday school to 3rd/4th graders...no crafts. I sing in our church choir, pick and grin from time to time with a neighbor. Take off on my m/c and ride the back roads of N.C. I take a neighbor's daughter places since he's deployed on an aircraft carrier and her mom is pregnant.
If you got a crappy attitude about life, you need to get your head outta your hind parts so you can see where you're going.
Life is too short to be a crabby old bugger!

Answer 4

Actually, my outlook on life has gotten better with age. I think as long as you are aware that this is not how you want to be, you can continue to grow as a person and not be like that.

Answer 5

am 5o years old and I think I'am a very positive person!! We have had a lot of stress and problems [ still have some] but it's how you handle them! I wouldn't have changed a thing!! It's the hard times that make you strong!!!

Answer 6

I think that people will always be the way they were earlier in life.

Life happens, and people are people. Older persons are the same as younger persons, with the exception that body parts have begun to wear out.

Answer 7

I certainly try not to get more bitter as i age but sometimes the disapointments and broken dreans just keep piling up.Life aint all bad but it sure can be a ***** sometimes..

Answer 8

Talk.and I mean take the time to talk to these people you nurse.

It will bring you rewards.

Answer 9

I'm 52 and I'm not bitter, goddam it!!
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