I've come to realize something. The older I get, the more I tend to realize something strange. People stop correcting you, not because you suddenly became wiser or started getting perfect at what you do all your lifetime, but because life doesn't work like that.
When you are young, everyone has the opinion about your choices you make. They want to see you grow. They want to try to correct you. Your friends, your parents, even your strangers think they can shape you, but with age, something begins to change.
People start minding their own business and focusing on themselves. At first, it feels like you don't know what you are doing wrong. No one questions your habits or your decisions. You are free to make choices and decisions and bear the consequences later. But then it hits you.
Maybe they are not correcting you because they already figured out how to change your habits. But changing your habits at that moment gets even harder this time. They know how difficult it is to learn behaviors. You have lived so many years with that habit. So they stay silent.
Sometimes that silence is not just a sign of respect, but it's a sign of distance. During my working life, I've learned that most people who have their lives in order don't like to entertain unnecessary drama, they will step into your mess just to save it from yourself or try to make efforts to put you on track.
They won't risk your anger or hurt feelings. They are too busy protecting their own peace. And this is very important. As I began to grow older, I also start doing the same thing. I keep my circle small, avoid chaos or anything that would interfere with my peace of mind or being in a position that allow me to over-explain my ideas or beliefs.
Here is the twist. This quietness can be dangerous if chaos is not taken. It can trick you into believing you are always right. But it can make your bad habits feel normal simply because no one is challenging them anymore.
And one day you look in the mirror and you just realize you have been the problem all along. Yet no one refused to tell you because they could not change easily.
When your growing older teaches you many things, this lesson stands out. You must be willing to call yourself out. You must be brave enough to confront your own foolish behaviors and make a change at the right time. Because truthfully, the older you get, the fewer people will try to correct you.
But the consequences of not correcting yourself can become bigger, heavier, and more effective than ever. And that is the wake-up call. Nobody gives you but yourself only to pick yourself up and do the right thing.