Losing Confidence

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Whilst older people are often happier than in their earlier years, after 60 (linked to retirement and health issues) it seems that self esteem and confidence can begin to deteriorate. A group of us discussed this over coffee today between gym classes. Blame was attributed to a variety of factors including the long Covid lockdowns, physical afflictions, loss and grief and, in the last couple of years, so many bad news stories emanating from wars or climate change.

In no way do I feel exempt from the potential impact. There's so much out there at the personal level and on the wider horizon that can frighten me to bits were I to let it. Knowing how easy it was to end up on a hospital trolley hooked up to a heart monitor and drip in the Emergency Department; the difficulty getting travel insurance as a result; catching Covid on holiday; the demise and serious illnesses of close family members as well as others I have known; the ongoing issues with my knee; they are all playing a role in potentially undermining self-assurance. How easy it must be to allow yourself to be overcome by stress and anxiety to the point that nervousness will not allow you to venture beyond your front door.

I suppose no stage in life is ever easy, so why should retirement be any different, even if it can offer lots of fun and fulfilment? 

Did we come up with a solution? Probably not, although we did feel that going out regularly to exercise alongside people with whom we have grown to share a spirit of camaraderie and who are experiencing similar life events helps. The importance of socialising and physical activity for well-being certainly cannot be downplayed, not to mention a casual coffee with a group of amateur therapists. The knowledge that we share common anxieties and that our apprehensions are validated was genuinely reassuring.

Comments

Treaders said…
While I'm not necessarily the best advert for it, I do believe physical exercise (if you are able) can make a tremendous difference, not only physically but also mentally. I know when summer comes and I bunker down out of the heat it's so easy to fall into a kind of mini-depression, but now that winter is on its way I feel re-energized. And as they say, "use it or lose it"!
8 November 2023 at 10:23
Caree Risover said…
Yes, definitely. In the right conditions, nothing makes you feel as good as exercising outdoors (usually a picturesque walk is all it takes for me to feel at peace with the world and myself again).
8 November 2023 at 19:13
Marksgran said…
I lost a lot of confidence for going out during lockdowns. To be honest, I could happily become a hermit, I love my home and garden and was happy to remain there however, there came a point when everyone was getting 'back to normal' and I was hanging on to my mask and sanitiser and making excuses to not meet friends etc. However just recently I've come to the conclusion I need to get 'back to normal'. I've forgotten what normal was but I'm really pushing myself to get out and about again. The funny thing is, I happily went off to visit our son in Australia just as soon as Australia opened again and I've used this argument to myself to no avail! I've travelled across the world yet I struggle to meet my friends in the city near home! I came so close to cancelling an upcoming trip with my friends to the East coast but I said yes before I could think too much about it and now tickets are purchased so I'll go. I know its good for me to get out and about but I'm still anxious and know I have to keep at it until it's the new normal.
8 November 2023 at 21:33
Caree Risover said…
Congratulations for beginning to tackle the problem head on. It’s easy to feel daunted but sometimes hard to overcome when erosion has set in.
8 November 2023 at 22:17
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