appreciating life

As people age, they develop a refined sense for food, drinks and the arts. Older people also have a lot less tolerance for other people’s baggage and appreciate healthy relationships.

A Reddit user by the name of fgfy4454 asked the online forum “What did you start liking the older you got?” and the responses showed an appreciation for the richness of life. The conversation also had an undercurrent of appreciation for the gifts that come with aging and a healthy disdain for the foolishness of youth.

Here are 17 of the best answers to the question, “What did you start liking the older you got?”

1.

"Spending time alone with myself." — NobodyCool2844

EvilBosch added:

"I am very happy with my own company. Not a shut in at all, but certainly don't feel compelled to always be chasing social contact. A weekend with nothing to do, and no social commitments sounds to me like a rare treat! But all folks are different. I've also known people who are basically the human equivalent of Labrador dogs - contantly needing attention and stroking, and who get sulky and cross (and bitey) when they don't get it. We all exist on a continuum of introversion/extraversion, and that's fine. But it's the extravert's fallacy that anyone who is happy with their own company must be somehow unfulfilled or leading a lesser life. Some of us prefer to quietly read a book."

2.

"Sleeping." — bletusibebusi

3.

"Comfy, quality socks." — wildcard520

4.

"Myself." — Sea-Professional-953

5.

"Quiet time." — Pepperrr01

AteUrGrandma added:

"Sitting outside and doing nothing. As a kid, I always wondered why adults would do that."

6.

"A new dish scrubber." — 18gsir

IAmNotABritishSpy added:

"I was doing the washing up recently and realised I have a favourite pot to cook with, as it always washes out so easily."

7.

"Not drinking alcohol. Hangovers feel worse, it’s an expensive habit, and it’s not as fun as it used to be." — wicked-vibes

PasGuy55 added:

"Absolutely. A hangover now lasts until about 7pm. Nothing fun about spending the day feeling queasy."

8.

"Tea instead of coffee. I used to pound coffee. But now it aggravates reflux and generally upsets my stomach more. A nice cup of tea especially earl grey with milk really does the trick." — wormholeweapons

9.

"Vinegar. I absolutely HATED pickles, olives, and vinegar chips as a kid. I am now at the “extra pickles and banana peppers” phase of my sandwich journey through life." — SickAssFoo_69

10.

"Compound interest." — FatOldRugbyDude

11.

"Mustard. What a great condiment." — Hei2

12.

"Old songs. Younger me always followed whatever is mainstream." — Duschkopfe

13.

"Art museums. Used to think they were pretentious and boring growing up. Over time, thought about the process and effort it really takes to make that kind of work. Whole new perspective." — bdruid117

14.

"Scented candles. I used to avoid "feminine" things because it's not 'manly' to have nice stuff. But a couple of months ago I started lighting candles in my new apartment and now I can't get enough from trying new scents. Currently, my favorite is apple cinnamon. Apparently being manly is bullshit and having nice stuff is fun." — MemChoeret

15.

"People who don’t create or have drama in their lives or mine. At least not on purpose. Simple quiet relationships." — themermaidbrain

16.

"I began falling for large women they became so much more attractive to me." — DrGoldy2

17.

"Staying home on the weekends or just going to a friend's house for a couple of beers instead of going out clubbing." — No1_Knows_Its_Me