As a kid I was in the main a happy soul. Things were good and I, no doubt like all kids, found everything interesting as I walked around with my sense of wonder turned up to full.
Now in my very late 50's I'm starting to be called something I never considered myself to be: grouchy!
Yep, people around me say I'm a grouch and I'm developing a rep, especially at work, of often being in a bad mood!
This is a shock to me as I have always considered myself to be light-hearted and relaxed. I suppose the real shock is that its the truth, I am grumpy a lot.
I can't explain this change of outlook. I think its happened over time. That childish sense of wonder has taken a pummeling and is turned way down low, apparently having been replaced with bad-tempered grouchiness.
It is concerning.
Are you becoming grouchy readers? Is it an age thing? What do you advise?
Don't believe the hype Woodsy, just follow your evergreen heart of youth!
ReplyDeleteAs time goes on, we get to spend more and more time around other ageing grumpy people, but that does not have to define you in any way - if you just don't let it!
My evergreen heart has woodworm Arto!
DeleteJust turned 60 meself mate and finding that I'm actually more tolerant than I used to be and increasingly able to see both sides of situations and developing an attitude of "lifes too short to waste it arguing" but on the other side I'm aware that old arfur (arfur-itis that is ) and a growing list of aches and pains are making their presence felt which is a definite recipe for grumpy-old-git-itis, especially in the mornings before the painkillers kick in lol!!
ReplyDeletesorry about your aches and pains Mike. I think I need to retire whilst I'm still in one piece and maybe I won't be a grouchy then!
DeleteI am finding myself more at odds with younger people these days,so I would guess they consider me a grouch.The older set was just as disagreeable with me when I was younger,so I guess this is the natural order of things,yes?
ReplyDeleteTeenagers are naturally abhorrent Brian or else they'd live at home with their parents forever! Its the cosmic order.
DeleteNah, I've just turned 62 and I'm more childish than ever!
ReplyDeleteI want what your on Lew!
DeleteI reckon as we get older, we realise that we've got less time in front of us than behind us, so it makes us a bit grouchy and grumpy. Also, when we're kids, we mainly have no worries, but as adults, we often have the weight of the world on our shoulders.
ReplyDeleteTrue Kid. My only worries a s kid were things like my Sekiden pellets running out during a pitched battle with mt brothers or does coca cola make a decent ice-cream float?!
DeleteI always reveled in being Grouchy. When my daughter was very young we watched Sesame Street on TV and by careful choices of related books and records I pushed Oscar the Grouch to be the favourite.
ReplyDeleteThe classic bedtime LP was Oscar singing "Let a Frown be your umbrella" The lyrics:
(After Farley starts to sing "Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella"
Oscar interrupts, saying that it really goes like this:)
Oscar: Oh, let a frown be your umbrella on a rainy, rainy day
And if your grouchy cries
Just tell her that a frown will always pay
Whenever skies are gray
Don't worry or fret
A frown will bring the raindrops and you'll always get wet
So let a frown be your umbrella on a rainy, rainy day!
(Then, I think, Oscar asks Farley if he understands
How the song goes now. Farley says, "Yeah, but I'm not sure I like it.")
ha ha, great Sesame Street wisdom Terran. My daughter loved the show as well. Is Oscar the old grump who lives in the rubbish bin? I wonder if the UK and US versions of the show were the same? I saw a European version as well in the 80's when we lived abroad.
DeleteWhen it was first shown in the UK it was the US version. Possibly it changed as certain things like Z being pronounced zed in the UK and zee in the US might have offended people. (Mrs. Whithouse etc).
DeleteYes Oscar was the green charactor in a trash can. (rubbish bin)
Woodsy, I have learned to wear the mantle of 'Grumpy Old Man' with pride. After all, I've earned it! :-) Too many dispiriting events, too much of so many things over the years have culminated in a veritable layer cake of grumpiness. HOWEVER, my blog, reading your blog, and a big involvement with the on-line hobby forums, like fb, have helped to soften the edges a bit!
ReplyDeleteA layer cake of grumpiness! ha ha. I like that description Ed. Maybe its the job of adults to absorb all the crapness in the world so that kids don't see or feel it. I didn't when I was a kid until my parents couldn't absorb it any longer. All that crap is bound to have an effect on adults isn't it.
DeleteYUP!!!!!
DeleteShouldn't grumpy old men have a shed? I haven't got one!
ReplyDelete