The older I get

As of late, it seems that more people have been asking me what I think about this topic or that news story. If I let my ego take the wheel, I would likely come to the conclusion that more people care about what I have to say and value my opinion, but I know that’s not the case. In reality, people are asking because I don’t offer up my unsolicited opinion quite as much as I used to.

The events of the last few years, really the last decade for me, have humbled me and taught me that I don’t know what I thought I knew and maybe I don’t even know the extend to which I don’t know. This change in thinking has caused me to be quieter when it comes to almost everything. Where I used to give marriage advice, I’d consider myself the last person qualified to give any at this point. Early on in parenthood, I’d give my thoughts on how to be a good parent, but years into this journey I realize I don’t know what I’m doing most days and don’t have and expertise to share. And when it comes to politics…

I used to be very vocal when it came to politics. I had my views and they were pretty set in stone, but the last decade has changed me. I don’t see things the way I once did, though some of my views remain the same. I can’t even say I fit into a category like “left” or “right” anymore because everyone comes down to a case-by-case assessment. Don’t get me wrong, I think that’s a good thing.

All of this said, I feel less like I have something to say. I still talk to my friends about the current events playing out, I still have discussions about politics and religion, but they’re different. I still share on Twitter, but I don’t have as much to say. I don’t get involved in heated debates and I don’t seek out being right, largely because my stance on things that I thought were right a few years ago isn’t even remotely my stance today.

Is this what growing older and maturing is supposed to do to all people? If so, why are there still so many older people arguing on the internet?