Aging Is Killing My Bravado

I'm finding that I am becoming less inhibited with respect to stating my thoughts, but more inhibited when it comes to taking risks that may impact my children or family. I guess I'm feeling less of a need to "fit in" and more of a need to "stay put".

I've not connected this sort of anxiety with aging. It's struck me off and on my entire life. Mostly I'm adventurous but every once in awhile I become so anxious that it's difficult to drive or get involved in any activity. I take Ativan when this happens.

The last time it happened was last summer. I was also not feeling well physically but thought this was caused by Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Ativan didn't help at all. When my gut got to hurting really bad I went to the doctor who had me give a stool sample and it tested positive for an infection. I don't remember the name of it. I took antibiotics and as soon as the pain subsided so did the anxiety.

So I have a new theory about anxiety. A physical illness, tho it seems minor, can possibly cause anxiety.

Maybe you're just a little wiser, knowing more of the possibilities. I think a good portion of our youthful bravado comes from a little happy brainlessness - not knowing what might happen, or never thinking that problems could happen to US.

How about checking online about what you can explore with the airport as your starting point. Is there some sort of bus tour with a definite beginning and ending time? Do you have a GPS on your phone to help you stay un-lost? How far is it from the airport to - well, anywhere?? Plan a time schedule - you need to be back at the airport by, say, 7 p.m., in order to get through security and all that. Think everything through again. I hope your spirit of adventure arises!

It's called wisdom. And less energy.

I would say I'm less adventurous than I was when I was young, but most of that "adventurousness" was actually due to stupidity and ignorance, not necessarily some highly developed spirit of adventure.

Man, when I think of some of the "adventurous" things I've done in my life...

i hear ya!
actually, i'm more brave about some things, but stuff like missing flights causes way too much anxiety to risk. on the other hand, 8 hours is a killer layover, and even a book and a meal isn't going to fill that time span.
i find i'm more willing to travel to weird places and eat things i wouldn't have considered as a young woman, but i for sure have new lists of things that i'm eekier about doing.
khairete
S.

I am finding myself more open to things. Better prepared to do possibly risky stuff.

Morning Rhonda
In part, I tend to think it's part anxiety and hormonal related. I say this because of my own experience. When I hit about 42 and my Estrogen began to drop, my anxiety/nervousness went up and I became more cautious and of all things, Claustrophobic, I tried hypnosis, talk therapy and even EFT. All had some merit, but not enough to cure me.. Then I began to read up on Perimenopause... Turns out, as Estrogen lowers, our Cortisol rises (stress hormone) ... Estrogen is what controls the cortisol centers.. I now believe that with my hormones shifting, I began to become more nervous and with that more CAUTIOUS...However, now that I have a better understanding of what the heck is going on with my hormones (particularly on each day of the month ) as I track my cycle on paper.. I can now get back (somewhat) to my old self.. the person like you, who had a lot of guts and would go out and explore life...

I know my explanation sounds clinical... but I truly believe many women in their late 30s , 40 and even 50s are experiencing what you describe.. and sadly, our doctors just think we are going through mid-life crisis..

I do think that yes, I became more brave about some things.. but it's those little things (like leaving an airport) that would become a big issue for me.. in my case, even riding public transportation was becoming tough because I didn't like to be boxed in ...

There's a book I recommend that helped me a lot.... called, Screaming to be heard.. by Elizabeth Vliet..

Her book was so much more helpful to me than any mainstream or alternative doctor I had ever seen.. since learning more in depth about what's going on inside me.. I feel that I can take my life and live it not on the edge but at least with more zeal... and the bravado that you speak of... that too is making its way around for me again..

I wish you all the best

Hmmm. I find that I'm more brave about little things. I'll just come out and tell someone, "Sorry, but I disagree." I used to be pretty mousy in groups. But I'm very cautious about big changes -- moves, job changes, new schools for my son, etc. It's like the longer I live, the farther I project decisions into the future. And sadly, I don't always like what I see.

Aging seems to have the opposite effect on me, well in most areas. Five knee surgeries has caused me to scrutinize anything that would require, falling.

Other than that I am all over every opportunity. Perhaps it is my life has been one adaptation after another and I have learned they always work out.
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Oh, one thing, it is not that I am doing stupid things, it is just I have an great ability to figure out how to pull things off. So as I get older there are less unknown variables therefore easier to make a leap of faith, not that it is faith because I have identified the variables but hopefully you get the point.

Am I more cautious the older I get?
Sure!
It's not so much a 'fear' of something new so much as it's a 'been there, done that, got the tee shirt' thing and I'm more picky about what I'm up for these days.
Look up what the contingency plan is for missing your connecting flight.
It happens and people DO recover from it and get to their destination eventually.
Map out a route to see a few things that are close to the airport, and then make sure you have PLENTY of time to make it back and go through check-in all over again (be there a few hours before your connection is due).
Then go have your little side adventure and enjoy yourself.
You may not have time to explore a WHOLE city, but a little sight seeing can be a nice way to break up your layover time.

Yep. I have told my sons that this is the bravest they will ever be (young adults).

I try to live my life facing my fears. So if I get afraid or am timid about something, I try to go ahead and face that fear. When I have faced my fears, I come out on the other side feeling amazing.

So I will encourage you to go ahead and visit that city. Map out the things you would like to see and remember to give yourself 3 hours return time for your checking back into the airport for your departing flight.

You have plenty of time to explore, so go ahead and explore. Be fearless not afraid. Why live a life of regrets? When you can have some wonderful memories?

Besides what is the worse that could happen if you miss your flight? You have to wait for another flight and pay more money and possibly have misplaced luggage but certainly not the end of the world.

Take plenty of pictures to go with the memories.

I am not that old but I am not very brave either.

Still shy of 40, so not sure if I am in the "aging" category, although arguably we are all aging since the minute we are born. Nonetheless, I think more than age, general fatigue, and having a toddler have me holding back some. Don't think I'd pass up the city tour during the layover, but I do find myself avoiding glades when skiing and sticking to the open black diamonds. If I got laid up for 6-8 weeks, I'd be in a bit of a pickle.

Best to you and yours,
F. B.