How Not to Become a Cynic in Old Age?
If there is one defining characteristic of the older people I have known, it is the reluctance to accept the validity of controversial information, the narrow-mindedness in which they seem to be convinced that their personal opinion is the absolute truth.
Over time, people involved who once held nuanced views on social or political issues become ardent, dogmatic conservatives/liberals. Conversations with old friends revolve around “fun things we used to do”. People who once cherished the growth associated with new experiences default to thinking, “This is the same as the old, just not as good.”
Part of me fears it’s inevitable. Maybe arrogance is the logical end of the filtering process of modern life, where we use algorithms and biases to gravitate toward things, people, and ideas that comfort us and build barriers against anything that scares us. worries us until eventually we breathe in the fetid air in such a small mental space that we can’t even talk to someone we disagree with.
It’s easy to put the blame on “experience”. To think that the world is such an unfair place that the only possible outcome of seeing more of it is to build even stronger mental armor. But this is not my life experience. When I was younger I was a lot more cynical and every worthwhile moment I’ve had since was because I became less cynical because I was open to new things, as corny as that sounds. . Based on everything I’ve seen (and researched), it’s clear that it’s much better, personally and financially , to stay open-minded and not fall down the rabbit hole of perpetually jaded people.
But the cynicism still creeps in. Even though I know better, I still find myself thinking: “At one time, we understood what good music sounds like / how to act / the importance of work / what drugs are fun / add whatever. “I still find myself turning down invitations to stay home and watch The Twilight Zone , or hear about some new trend or movement and dismiss it as useless before I even know what it is about.” , or find out if I can get rich with it.
So let me tell you: how do you stay open and hopeful in this fallen world? Is it even possible? Give me (and the world) your personal advice on how to avoid mental and emotional calcification in the comments below.