Here’s how you can tell if you’re getting older

Sometimes folks complain about getting older. Sure, we may need a bit more maintenance and our warranties may need renewing, but that’s just part of continuing our trips around the sun. Even occasional repairs may be necessary so we can become classics instead of old jalopies, but I find growing older beats the heck out of the alternative.

Automotive analogies aside, a lot of us have moved farther down the age spectrum. Hair - or what’s left of it - is grayer, beards are whiter, creases appear where none were before. It may take longer to do certain things than it once did. And there’s nothing wrong with any of that. It’s what’s in our hearts and our heads that matter. There’s nothing wrong with still thinking and acting young even if we meet Social Security requirements.

That doesn’t stop us from noting situations and clues that we’re getting older. There are lots of lists and stories to point out the signs of getting older, especially thanks to the Internet that must constantly be fed data, so it doesn’t atrophy. I’ve always been a fan of lists, especially since they make for good columns now and then. So you know where this is headed.

I ran across a couple of stories with lists of indicators you’re getting older, or even have gotten “too old” to deal with certain things. I decided to share some of them with you. A few I agree with entirely, some I understand, and perhaps there are some that may connect with you, dear reader. Here are signs you’re getting, or feeling, older:

• Hangovers. When I was a young reporter, the image of a typical reporter was that of a hard charging, hard-headed, hard drinking individual. I really wasn’t that hard of a drinker, but I had a stereotype to help uphold and with fellow ink-stained wretches would consume certain beverages until my judgment became buzzed if not fuzzy. This led to a hangover the following morning, but it cleared up quickly. As I grew more mature and responsible, it took longer and longer to recover from a night of imbibing. At this point in life, the recovery time for a hangover far exceeds the pleasure of getting one.

• Clubbing. Weekends once were spent going to smoky clubs, listening to bands, and drinking adult beverages. While going to hear a band at a club can be nice clubs are crowded, the crowds are annoying, the music’s too loud, and the beverages are overpriced. Now I’ll take Netflix and iced tea at home.

• Waiting in line. I’m generally a patient individual, but I’ve reached a point where something has to be darned well worth it if I have to stand in line longer than 20 minutes. Hey, I’m not getting younger.

• Camping on the ground. When son Eli was in Scouts and I was a Scouter, sleeping on the ground was a regular thing for us. I’ve even slept on river gravel bars and island sand. No more. First, getting off the ground is much too difficult, especially in the morning when the snap, crackle, pop I hear isn’t from the cereal bowl. Second, I prefer sleeping comfortably, preferably in a bed or at least a cot. I’m not a Marine.

• Sitting on the floor. This goes with sleeping on the ground. Getting down is easy. Getting up is not.

• Bathroom breaks. They’re needed more frequently and your body is very, very insistent when it wants to go, and it never picks a convenient time. As an addendum, you find it rare if you sleep through the night without having to make a bathroom trip.

• You say, “Back in my day …” “When I was young …,” or “I remember when …” more often.

• You wonder when did the people you knew as a teen become old folks?

• The hair on top of your head is disappearing, but hair is growing in your ears and other places you don’t need it.

• When you prefer watching “Adam-12,” “Perry Mason,” “Mannix,” “The Rockford Files.” “Bonanza,” and “The Waltons” instead of new TV shows. It’s really a sign you’re getting older when everyone in the TV show you’re watching is dead and all the kids are now geezers.

• You realize singers you listened to, heartthrobs you had crushes on, and your favorite movie stars are in their 70s, 80s, and 90s. (Mick Jagger just turned 80 this week.)

• When a server gives you a senior discount without asking for your ID.

• When you wonder when businesses started hiring children.

• You’re not interested in going out to anything that starts after 9 p.m.

• When your clothes are retro fashion even though you’ve had them for 20 years.

• When there’s a John Wayne movie on TV that you first saw in a theater when it premiered.

• You drop something on the floor and wonder if you really need it.

• When children you used to babysit have grandchildren.

• When you decide it’s no longer worth arguing with other people about anything. Your own peace is more valuable than trying to change someone else’s mind.