15 Things No One Warns You About Getting Older—But Should
Getting older is full of unexpected surprises, from slowing metabolism to sudden changes in your body and mind. Every new stage reminds you that time is both a gift and a challenge.
- Alyana Aguja
- 6 min read
Growing old is a part of life, but it entails a chain of alterations that take us by surprise. From bodily changes such as losing metabolism and stiff joints to psychological adaptations such as memory loss and changing interests, aging can be trying yet informative. No one can possibly prepare for these changes, but if they are embraced with humor and awareness, then the process will be a rewarding and enriching experience.
1. Your metabolism slows down—big time
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As you grow older, your metabolism slows naturally, meaning that you burn calories at a slower rate even though you’re staying active. This causes many people to gain undesirable weight unless they change their exercise and diet regime. You could find yourself eating less or needing to alter the foods you eat to stay at the same weight.
2. Your bones begin to ache, even when you’re not exerting yourself
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Bone density starts to drop as early as your 30s, and it only becomes more apparent with age. Diseases such as osteoarthritis cause formerly easy tasks, such as standing up from sitting for a period of time, to become unexpectedly painful. Stretching and activity are helpful, but the stiffness tends to catch you when you least expect it.
3. You forget things—sometimes lots of things
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Memory loss with age is no joke; it can feel like your brain has a life of its own. You’ll be in the kitchen wondering why you entered the place, or you’ll get to the middle of a conversation and forget someone’s name. This is completely normal, but it can be unsettling, especially if you’re accustomed to a razor-sharp memory.
4. Your skin adapts in ways you never dreamed of
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Wrinkles, age spots, and loss of elasticity aren’t the only skin modifications you’ll encounter. Your skin thins out as you age, causing bruising and cutting to take longer to heal. No amount of sunscreen protection can save you from struggling with dry patches or unexpected sensitivity to skincare products.
5. Your energy level plummets
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In your younger days, you could pull an all-nighter and wake up just as good as new the following day. As you get older, however, sleep becomes increasingly important, and staying up late for a party or extra-long workday can leave you running on fumes for days. You may have to begin putting rest above all else like never before.
6. You become more sensitive to temperatures
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As your body’s thermoregulation ability decreases, you might find that you’re always too cold or warm. The central heat is too intense during the winter, and the air conditioning is too much during the summer. Your thermostat settings and your body’s tolerance to extremes may shift.
7. Your hair begins to do its own thing
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Hair loss, thinning, and color changes are all inevitable for most individuals as they age. You may also notice a change in hair texture, with once-smooth strands becoming frizzier or coarser. This change can be annoying, particularly if you’ve never had to concern yourself with your hair before.
8. You catch yourself being more conservative about your time
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As you grow older, you start prioritizing your time like never before. Tasks that aren’t that important no longer interest you, and you become more willing to say “no” as you devote your time to things or persons who matter greatly. This shift feels powerful yet also isolating.
9. Your vision changes, and it’s not necessarily a matter of needing to wear reading glasses
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Even if you’ve enjoyed excellent vision throughout much of your life, aging comes with new problems such as dry eyes, sensitivity to glare, or bifocals. You may find night vision less easy, or text in a book becomes blurry despite your glasses. Frustrations involving vision will escalate, frequently in unfamiliar ways.
10. Your joints start to protest the things you love doing
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Activities you once did with ease, like running or climbing stairs, suddenly leave you feeling sore. Your knees, hips, and back might start to sound like crackling popcorn when you move. Regular movement and stretching help, but the stiffness will always be there as a reminder.
11. You start paying closer attention to your health than ever before
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By middle age, most individuals begin to experience subtle health issues such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. These conditions were likely never even on your radar, but they begin to call for your attention, prompting you to make lifestyle adjustments such as improved dietary habits or check-ups. Health is an ongoing balancing act between comfort and prevention.
12. You notice your social circle isn’t as large as it used to be
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As you get older, life becomes more hectic and so does everybody else’s, and that causes smaller, more meaningful social circles. You feel a little lonely when your friends move away, or you can’t see each other as frequently as before. However, the quality of friendships you maintain is better, and you begin appreciating true connection over quantity.
13. Your interests may shift, and that’s okay
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The things you enjoyed when you were younger may no longer interest you in the same way, and that’s okay. For example, you may find yourself drawn to more low-key activities such as gardening or reading rather than rigorous exercise or nights out. Discovering new passions is a normal part of growing older and loving your changing self.
14. You notice your posture more
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With aging, slouching is more likely because of changes in spinal flexibility and muscle strength. You may struggle with back pain or stiffness, and sitting or standing upright may be a constant effort. Physical therapy or yoga will help, but even standing upright may be an effort.
15. You find that time passes more quickly than ever before
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The more life experience you gain, the faster the years seem to fly by in a blink of an eye. You may feel as though you only just celebrated your previous birthday to find another one looming on the horizon. The days may feel longer, yet the years get shorter, leaving you more reflective and grateful for the time you do have.