Falling into an old age mindset.

My mom used to be so weird to me.. she never wanted to do anything. I couldn't understand it. She just wanted to get up in the morning and watch tv..., not clean out cabinets, not decorate the house, not see a movie, not visit friends. Just watch tv.

I thought it was ache and pain related but, seeing a movie would be doable?

So an older friend told me yesterday that he has that mindset now. He just really doesn't want to do anything and it made me realize I am increasingly feeling the same way.

I am only 46.. but, I don't want to travel... I don't want to go out anyplace on the weekends... etc. I had this idea of moving upon retirement but I am already too lazy to really know if that is doable. I haven't been to a movie in years... honestly, it just feels like they are all bad and I don't enjoy sitting in the new theaters with the big seats.

I have surmised that this could be a physical issue. That human's brains just change when they get older. Perhaps in preparation for old age. For instance my young nephew is so full of life and positive. Nothing get to him.

But I also feel like I have learned that all the things that used to give me joy just don't anymore. They are sort of empty and hollow.

But I know I MUST find a way around this to be able to have the life I wanted when I retire. Anyone have any thoughts?

Hi Emily, it sounds like you used to be more active, when did you start to feel this way? My mom is 65 and she still likes to get out and do stuff. 46 isn't that old, but maybe you're going through a kind of mid-life crisis? Or it could be depression, since you mentioned you lost interest in things you used to enjoy?

It might be a good idea to see your physician to rule out physical ailments like Vitamin D deficiency, Hypothyroidism, Low blood sugar, etc. Just some suggestions.

Take care.

No it isn't that. I have noticed this among older people... as they age they just don't want to do things. That is what I am aiming to avoid. I think it could be a natural phenomena. I have long had a theory that "use it or lose it" that your body checks in daily and if you aren't growing and learning it starts preparing for death.

When your younger every day is a learning opportunity and you likely are active. But as you work in a job every day likely is drudgery and you probably aren't as active... so your body stars winding down and part of it is the mindset.

On the weekends I do actually try to learn things but it seems like it isn't enough.

Do you think this mindset could be from dealing with the aging process? For example, as we reach older ages, many parts of our lives are behind us and we may feel there's nothing left to look forward to so we slow down and lose interest in things.

I do agree with the idea of use it or lose it. I'm not sure what type of stuff you're trying to learn, but maybe you need something more challenging or with an added social aspect, like in a classroom or with a friend. I've heard that staying social is important for brain health as we get older.

At the grand old age of 53 , I can certainly say that I find what I thought was important has changed in the last 5 years . I don't think it's a bad thing .

This may sound overly simplistic, but do you exercise? I’ve been surprised by what a difference exercise has made in my life over the last few years. It doesn’t make sense that exerting more energy would give you more energy, but it’s somehow often the case. It doesn’t have to be running long distances or anything. Walks, dancing, stretching are all lovely. My father—in his mid-seventies—has exhibited the same thing. He does yoga and a lot of walking, and he is more energized now in retirement than I’d ever seen him before.