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Re:Ask HN: How do you deal with getting old and feeling lost? by sidlls on Sunday February 06, 2022 @09:42AM (#30232911)
It's easy to see familiar patterns even in "new" things, though: especially those things that typically bind social networks (primarily shared recreational experiences). There are only so many story tropes to fill books and movies with, shared exercise experiences all blend, card games, board games, etc.--you name it, and odds are that the chance one has "seen it before" increases with age.

So while something can be new, as one ages even "new" things have elements that are immediately obviously the same as one's past experiences. The older one is, the more of these elements there are. There's a diminishing return, so to speak, in experiencing new things.

Re:Ask HN: How do you deal with getting old and feeling lost? by dragonsky67 on Monday February 07, 2022 @12:28AM (#30240799)
I think that you are describing the coming of Wisdom... Seeing how things in many different domains fit the same patterns. This does not have to be a negative thing. If you see something new that fits a known pattern, then look closer and see how it's different or how it modifies the pattern to fit it's unique state.
Re:Ask HN: How do you deal with getting old and feeling lost? by alangibson on Sunday February 06, 2022 @11:54AM (#30234248)
Exactly this. Many others are confusing novelty with pursuing specific knowledge or activities.

If you can build a life around mastering Jiu-Jitsu or learning machining techniques, more power to you.