In this episode, ''The Year of Being 70 Ep 30: Nostalgia & Pet Peeves - Are We Grumpy Old Women?'' Lucy and Lisette have a wide-ranging conversation covering nostalgia and the grumpiness of older people looking back to their youth. The conversation touches on relatable themes like impatience, changing social norms, thinking 'it was better in my day' and the desire to hold onto the past – an engaging and humorous piece for older listeners and anyone interested in the experience of ageing.

Key Highlights

• Exploring Nostalgia and Acceptance.

Lisette and Lucy discuss the nuances of nostalgia - how it can be a pleasant look back, but also how it's important not to dwell in the past or view youth and earlier times through rose-coloured glasses. They touch on the importance of acceptance - acknowledging what we cannot change, while still striving to improve what we can.

• Dealing with Irritations and Grumpiness

The friends delve into the small annoyances and irritations that come with age, like loud talkers, voice messages, and people who speak in clichés. However, they both recognise the value in trying not to be overly grumpy or cynical, and finding ways to stay open-minded and positive.

• Being a "Grumpy Old Woman"

Lucy and Lisette wonder whether they qualify as "grumpy old women" now that they are 70 years old. Lisette admits to having some grumpy tendencies, like getting annoyed by inconsiderate behaviour of others in public, but tries to counteract her grumpiness by smiling and being kind to others as much as possible. Both try to avoid being overly grumpy and cynical, as they feel it can make you seem older and less open-minded.

• Communication Styles

Lucy explains her preference for thinking before speaking and her frustration with people who speak at length without filtering their thoughts. Lisette gets irritated by people leaving voice messages as it takes so much longer to listen than to read. Both of them note that the underlying resentment of both these habits is feeling their time is being wasted.

• "Meant To Be"

They explore the concept of accepting life's circumstances, with Lisette sharing her experience of attending a funeral where the deceased's son said his mother’s death was "written”, reflecting a belief that everything happens for a reason. Lucy, though, finds the phrase "it was meant to be" when used to justify unfortunate events troublingly simplistic in the face of real suffering.

• Generational Differences and Adaptability

The discussion highlights some of the generational divides, like preferences for written communication versus verbal, and how technology has changed the way we interact. Both 70-year-olds talk about the importance of having an openness to understanding other people’s and generations’ perspectives and finding common ground.

Why You Should Listen

This conversation demonstrates how the two friends navigate the complexities of ageing, seeking to maintain a positive outlook while also acknowledging the frustrations that can come with getting older – or were they there all along? They emphasise the importance of staying open-minded, resisting the temptation to become overly critical, and finding humour in their shared experiences.

Underlying the whole conversation is the strong, decades-long friendship between Lucy and Lisette, which provides a rich context and sense of shared history. Their honesty offers an insightful, relatable look at navigating the complexities of ageing, while celebrating a willingness to grow and adapt.

Join the Conversation

If you are an older listener, do you feel like you’ve become a Grumpy Old Person? Do you enjoy having a moan whatever age you are? Do you look back on your childhood or youth with rose-tinted glasses? Or do you enjoy a bit of nostalgia? What are your pet peeves about today’s world?

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