Although we know why the body grows old, can anyone tell me why the mind grows old?

I’m not talking about Alzheimer’s or Dementia.

I’m talking about how old people think differently than they did when they were younger.

It’s not bad, and it’s not necessarily good. But you must admit… I hope you’ll admit, like me, that you do not look at things the same way that you used to.

Is it just a matter of experience? Is it learned experience?

The old mind can actually seem younger with age too. I know a number of people who used to be uptight, and they would often be accused of acting like an old person. But now they are laid back, with less stress, and one of them is even writing books on encouraging elderly folks to reclaim their inner child’s mind of wonder.

But is reclaiming that wonder filled child’s mind a process of the mind growing older, or younger?

When I think of the traditional concept of an old person’s mind, I think of crabby old people who are bitter about their lives not turning out like they thought it would. All the dreams and aspirations gone with the wind. The pretty girl got away, and that promotion was given to a younger man with new ideas.

But I know some younger folks who speak and complain in this same way. Like a bitter old person, all they do is complain about the world and reminisce about the glory days.

And my traditional concept of a young mind is one that is filled with passions and foolishness. But I know some very old people who act this way too.

What makes a young mind turn old? What even is a young mind vs an old mind?