Age Teaches Us to Be More Selective
Age makes us more selective and skilled when it comes time to apply the appropriate filters of protection. Slowly, your fears crumble, your insecurities expire, and we learn to take care of our priorities. We learn “who’s in and who’s out”. Because growing up is, above all, keeping in mind what we deserve, and fighting for it.
It’s funny how often there’s almost a direct link between the number of friends you have and the prediction one makes about your happiness or mental well-being. This premise emerged mainly from a theory in the 90’s, stated by the anthropologist Robin Dunbar, and which to this day is known as the number Dunbar.
“Age is a topic of mind over matter. If you don’t care about it, it doesn’t matter.”
-Mark Twain-
Let’s start off by clearing up another piece of information related to one’s age. To gain in years doesn’t necessarily mean to gain in wisdom, balance and temperance. Personality patterns evolve, no doubt about it. But, they almost always emerge from the same roots. For example, someone who’s not receptive is used to seeing the world through a filter of negativism. They are not going to experience a sudden inner revolution simply because they blow out a few more candles on their birthday cake.
Physical maturity and psychological maturity are not the same things. Aristotle said that in every trait of one’s character there is an excess, a shortage or a virtue that will accompany us as we mature. However, only he who is capable of practicing goodness and self-knowledge will reap the joy that comes when we know which things in life are priorities.
Knowing who you love and what you want is not selfish
Life is made up of varied moments, people and experiences strung along like pearls. It’s up to us to be selective and give value to those pieces that, thanks to their intense shine, allow us to have a more beautiful as well as significant existence. Thus, it’s necessary to be clear on one very concrete fact: being selective doesn’t mean you are selfish.
“You only live once, and if you do it well, it will be enough.”
-Mae West-
Getting older has many advantages as long as we have an open mind. One that has been able to draw adequate conclusions from its experiences. Sooner or later, you end up noticing that some things are unnecessary. That our personal baggage drags an excessive weight that will be impossible for us to carry on our journey towards happiness.