In addition to their tumultuous youth, 90-year-olds also blame themselves for mistakes made after retirement.
Certified psychologist Lachlan Brown conducted a mini-survey among older adults (aged 90 and above) about the mistakes they made after retiring. In total, Brown managed to survey 20 people, and most of the responses were similar. The results of this mini-survey were shared by the psychologist in the pages of Veg Out.
Refusal of Physical Activity
This was the most common complaint, says Brown. Almost everyone he spoke to admitted that they resorted to "voluntary inactivity," which resulted in a rapid decline in their overall health.
"I thought seventy was already old age. So I acted like an old man. I stopped my morning walks, I stopped swimming. By eighty, my body had forgotten how to move properly," one respondent shared.
Refusal of Self-Development
"I suddenly had all this time. But instead of diving deeper into what gives meaning to my life, I just watched TV and worried about things I couldn’t control," admitted a retiree who was once a teacher.
Saving Money
Many elderly people confess that they actually have more money than they can spend. Those surveyed by Brown reported that out of habit they continued to manage their finances frugally, saving for the future, even though they were already retired. Some now regret that they denied themselves travel and dining out when their health allowed it.
"I saved every penny in my eighties and nineties. But now I can’t travel, I can’t eat what I want, I can barely get out of this room. What am I saving for now?" one man explained.
Untold Memories
90-year-olds complain that they have forgotten many details of their lives. However, they acknowledge that they remembered them about 20 years ago but did not share them with their children and grandchildren. This is lost experience that should have been shared.
"My grandchildren don’t know who I really am. They know me as grandma, but they don’t know about my adventures, my struggles, how I met their grandfather, what life was like before they were born," one woman confessed with tears in her eyes.
Unforgiven Grudges
This is one of the things that hides the heaviest emotional burden of 90-year-olds. Those surveyed by Brown recalled siblings, children, and long-time friends with whom they had fallen out many years ago.
"I haven’t spoken to my brother in twenty years. I don’t even remember what we fell out over," one woman said.
