# Problem solving as we age

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-solving-as-we-age/1013295>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [January 23, 2025, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-solving-as-we-age/1013295 "2025-01-23T17:20:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-solving-as-we-age/1013295/1 "2025-01-23T17:20:22Z")

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This is primarily about solving obligatory problems as opposed to non-obligatory problems. I have noticed a definite change in my thought processes since retirement. Nonobligatory problems were usually shelved when I ran into too many problems I couldn’t solve. Since retirement this has changed and the longer, I am retired the more exaggerated it seems to be becoming. Every time I run into a problem; I need to solve it is like I just took a happy pill. I seem to thrive on it. What I suspect is that it may be my way of fending off boredom. When I solve all the problems and it is time to pull out the tools and get to work it is almost as if I am hoping I run into more problems that need to be solved. I used to enjoy the physical aspect and now I feel like I use problems to avoid the physical aspects. I haven’t really examined the phenomenon closely but there does seem to be something to it. Has anyone else experienced anything similar to this.

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**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-solving-as-we-age/1013295/2 "2025-01-23T20:32:01Z")

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Must be you.

I’ve been retired a whopping 18 _months_ and when I’m confronted by almost any obligatory problem, usually administrative, my first reaction is to glance at it, sigh, and ignore it. Like I think “Hmm. Email from my real actual bank about a lost password? I don’t wanna mess with that _now_. I’ll glance at it, set it aside for ‘later’ (read never) and go get a snack or a nap. Screw that noise.”

I have definitely joined the 20-somethings in the attitude of “adulting is hard and I just don’ wanna. Period. Not right now, not later, and in fact not ever.”

I get occasional bouts of my traditional “get shit done right now” attitude. Like maybe once a month for 20 minutes.