"I don't always like how they think or act, but being less mystified has been a relief..."

Some responses were also sourced from this Reddit thread!

"It's funny, because society says 'men don't talk,' but we do — just in spaces where people understand us. 

I would really love to start a group for men, but I'm always working and don't have time to do things outside of work yet."

"Unfortunately, that also makes me see how ugly it can be with all the suffering."

"At 50, my hobbies are gardening, painting, bowling, and traveling to concerts. In the winter, I coach middle school wrestling, a role I've held for 20-plus years. 

My girlfriend and I are not beholden to any schedule other than our own."

"It also means knowing when to share that answer and when to keep it to yourself."

"I always dreaded getting older, but getting older was the best thing that’s ever happened to me."

"My life outside of work can just be DnD, community theater, and metal festivals, and that's perfectly fine."

"Your employer doesn’t care about you and can get rid of you at any minute."

"So I take new challenges in stride. Even the fact that I may well have fewer than 25 to 30 Christmases left. The little things don’t stress me out nearly as much, and I cope with the big things better.

It’s soothing in a weird way. Wish I could transfer this calmness to my kids. "

"So the 'worry' motivates me to keep doing what I'm doing, but in the back of my mind, I know I don't really need to worry anymore. Now it's just about continuing to save."

"I don't always like how they think or act, but being less mystified has been a relief."

"I remember waking up one birthday morning and thinking to myself, 'Heck, I’ve made it through everything up to now, and I’m just fine. I’m not going to let myself be afraid of anything anymore.'

It’s not true every day, but in large measure, I am much braver now than I was when I was younger."

"As a teen, I watched MTV and just had to know what was going on with different bands or actors. Once you pass 50, you realize that most of the 'entertainment' industry is nonsense. 

When my dad was dying in a nursing home, he asked about my kids, not whatever BS was going on in Hollywood. When you get older, you learn what’s really important in life."

"Everyone says what wonderful children I have, and I realize it’s not by accident.

"More importantly, I’ve found that age gives you the ability to mentor women and feel nothing but protective of their career goals and dreams. It’s rewarding being there for young men and women and seeing them thrive."

"And I also realized that most of what I worried about growing up turned out to be immaterial."

"I've always been clumsy, so now I feel like I have Jedi reflexes or something."

"As we age, it's like our decision-making process gets a major upgrade from 'What feels good now?' to 'What actually makes sense for the long haul?'

Basically, when you're younger, it's often all about the immediate buzz: intense romantic feelings in relationships, or spending cash on what you want right now. You're maybe a bit more idealistic or focused on how things affect you directly.

You get a few wins, take a few losses, and your brain starts playing the long game. In relationships, you begin to value deep connection, actual support, and someone you can genuinely build a life with over just initial sparks. With money, you shift from chasing instant gratification to thinking about future security, investments, and not having to stress about every little thing."

Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.