Old Person Test

I saw a thing about things that old people do that are contraindicated. I thought I'd see how I stack up, seeing as how I'm old. The things are:

1. They stop learning. They said that this is the most important thing, and I couldn't agree more. Knowledge is power. 

2. They complain too much. I've definitely been complaining a lot lately so I've been guilty of this. If I can say anything in my defense I'm not blaming my problems on anyone or anything but me. 

 Some things are totally out of our control, and that applies to me lately, but I'm trying not to do the "poor me" thing. If I had more positive things to talk about I would, but right now I don't have that many. 

3. They become isolated. People can become isolated at any age but it's certainly understandable for the elderly. It could be mobility or health issues. Friends and loved ones our age pass on. I'm isolated at the moment but it's because I don't have my shit together at this time and I'm not making money. I'm still able to get around, and if a chance to play music arose, I could do it. I'm a former social butterfly 🦋 and if I do ever get said shit together maybe I can return to that, or at least a social caterpillar. 

4. They try to hang on to the past too much. This is hard to say...I know that I don't live in the past, but I think most people hang onto the past to some degree. We love to think about our adventures and all, but at this point in time, anybody who's not at least keeping an eye on what's going on in the present is going to be in for a rough ride. 

 Nostalgia is a funny thing. It's one of the few times we experience two completely opposite emotions at the same time- we're happy because whatever it was it was fun, but we're also sad because we know it's...well, in the past.

 I don't grade myself poorly on this. I love to reminese about my crazy adventures from the past and all, but if I don't keep an eye on the road ahead, and get that shit together before too much longer, there ain't gonna be no future. The thing about the past that you can take to the bank is that we damn sure don't learn from it very often.

5. They have a hard time asking for or accepting help. Bingo. I don't so much have a problem accepting help, but asking for it is a different story. It's very real and I was actually diagnosed as such by a real MD. 

 There's a term for it- "hyper-independence," or "being self-reliant to the point of refusing help." I wouldn't go that far...I have refused help many times but certainly not always.

 In AI's definition it says that it can be due to not wanting to appear weak, or fearing a loss of control. I can see that, plus I have another thing about not wanting to bother people. 

 What's interesting is that as I've said before, I'll drop what I'm doing to help someone, even a total stranger. As I've also said I don't mean to brag; it's just how it is. My folks were like that. They led by example and they set a fine one. 

 They say that some people help others for the attention and so they can pat themselves on the back. They want everybody to know how generous they allegedly are, so they're always talking about it. I'm talking about it in the context of it being odd since I have no problem giving help, but otherwise I don't generally bring it up in conversation. 

 They say that some people genuinely enjoy helping people without wanting anything in return. I think I fall into that category. I've been able to help some people, and animals too, which is just as good or better, and it's great to see the results first hand and know that whatever it was it did the trick. 

6. They're afraid to try new things and take risks. This also applies to any age, but I suppose that as we get older, risks seem riskier. Hopefully when we old-timers take risks, they're tempered by the wisdom that old age and experience should bring. 

7. They're resistance to change. That also applies to any age, and we don't have to be old to be resistant to change. I know people who were already set in their ways in junior high. Some people are afraid of change and some people, including myself at the moment, can't wait for it. 

 I understand people being resistant to change. It can be fun but it can also be painful. The thing to keep in mind is that no matter how we feel about it, change is going to happen. 

 8. They neglect their health. This is absolutely true for many seniors. I'm not in great shape right now but I still walk a couple of miles most nights. Not everyone is mobile though. 

 So many seniors are on a plethora of meds, but I won't into that except to say that since I was a little kid I've observed that the healthiest and happiest people I knew were the least medicated, and vice versa. Health is an obvious thing, for all ages. 

 So I probably get a C in being old. Fair. I did well on the thing they said was most important- to not stop learning. I did okay as far as trying new things and taking risks, within reason since I'm old. 

 I'm alright with change. I'm isolated at the moment but hopefully that will change. See? Change can be good sometimes. On the downside I complain too much, and I get an F in being able to ask for help.