As we age, “tiring” starts to take on new meaning. It’s not just physical exhaustion, it’s also about what is worth expending energy on. Activities that used to be effortless, or even enjoyable, become both physically and mentally exhausting. In a recent survey, many older adults reported some activities they suddenly found exhausting as they got older.
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Blow-drying your hair after washing it
You won’t believe how many women mentioned this. “I will go two days without showering rather than deal with drying my hair,” said one woman in her early 40s. Some women claimed that just thinking about the arm strength required and the sweat at the end makes them feel tired.
Sitting through films at the cinema
It’s not the movie they hate but sitting still for a few hours. “I feel my back starts complaining at the one-hour mark,” one man told us. Plus, there’s no control to pause for the toilet.
Returning items you’ve ordered online
There were some participants who confessed that they kept things they didn’t want or need because the return process was so infuriatingly complicated. “I have packages in my closet that I need to return and just don’t have it in me to go through all the steps,” one woman admitted.
Explaining your job to people at parties
Many claimed that a simple question like “what do you do?” sometimes needed a dissertation’s worth of follow-ups. “I have taken to just saying something like ‘finance’ and hoping they don’t ask questions,” one woman confessed.
Watching how-to videos or tutorials for simple tasks
Some seniors claimed that it was mentally draining to watch a YouTube video to learn how to do something basic that would’ve been common sense once upon a time. They have to pay attention, maybe rewind parts, and actually absorb information.
Responding to group texts
We all have those group chats, where every member seems to be constantly going off like a notification every five seconds. “I’m in this family chat and the just scrolling through it to keep up seems like its own full-time job I never applied for,” one person said. Most people claimed that it was draining to read through message after message, and worse yet, sending replies to them.
Assembling flat-pack furniture or anything in a box
IKEA furniture was mentioned by more than one person. “I bought a bookshelf three months ago and it’s still in the box in the basement because the sight of those instructions brings me to tears,” one woman reported. The tiny pieces, the incomprehensible diagrams, the inevitable screw-you’ve-lost moment. All of it takes more effort than it used to.
Deciding what to watch on streaming platforms
Netflix and chill apparently now just involves chilling. Many open the app and then agonize over 50-something choices for 30 minutes. “My husband and I literally end up giving up and just going to bed because we can’t make a decision,” one woman admitted.
Being a passenger for long car journeys
Being a passenger on a long car journey meant you could sit back and relax. Now, apparently, being the passenger is weirdly exhausting for people. “I would rather be driving than a passenger because at least then I’m doing something,” one man said. Sitting in a car for several hours doing nothing but being an adult just somehow seems like a lot of effort.
Attending virtual meetings or video calls
Virtual meetings are not like “real” meetings in the office, but people still find them tiresome in a different way: staring at their own face, projecting fake enthusiasm, and staying centered in the screen’s view. “I have to lie down after a Zoom call because I just feel so drained,” one person told us.
Breaking in a pair of new shoes
Getting new shoes and not wanting to deal with the break-in period came up multiple times. “I bought a new pair of sneakers six months ago and have yet to wear them because I know they are going to hurt my feet,” one woman said. It’s so much easier to just wear the old pair until they literally fall apart.
Listening to voicemails
Someone leaves a voicemail, but actually making the effort to call back and listen to it seems overwhelming. “I will text them back and ask them what they want instead of actually calling and dealing with that robot voice,” one person admitted. The entire antiquated process of calling voicemail, listening, then deleting just seems like a drag.
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