Women Who Don't Tolerate Anyone's Nonsense As They Get Older Usually Have These 11 Reasons

They don't accept stereotypes and narratives about passive aging.

Written on Jul 22, 2025

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While aging and getting older, especially for women in our society, can be challenging and draining, it's an individual's mentality and perspective on their own life that serves as a buffer. Like a study from the American Journal of Preventive Medicine suggests, people who maintain optimism in their lives as they get older tend to have better physical, mental, social, and emotional outcomes than their peers with rigid and draining views.

Women who don't tolerate anyone's nonsense as they get older usually have these reasons — they're optimistic about their own future, secure in their identity, and knowledgeable about how to live a good life, and they don't sacrifice those things for anyone. Whether it's setting boundaries, walking away from things, or simply building a routine that works for them, it's women like this that turn the negative aging stereotypes on their head.

Here are 11 reasons women who don't tolerate anyone's nonsense as they get older usually have

1. They're tired of wasting time

older woman who's tired of wasting time smiling Kinga | Shutterstock

Whether it's in a friendship that drains their energy or a toxic relationship that doesn't add value to their lives, women who don't tolerate anyone's nonsense as they get older may simply be sick of wasting their time.

Considering women tend to feel more self-assured and confident as they get older — with the life experience and skills of their past — like a survey from OnePoll suggests, it's not surprising that they're more willing to set boundaries, call out misbehavior, and walk away from things or people that no longer serve their best interests.

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2. They prefer their alone time

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According to a study from the International Journal of Behavioral Development, people tend to indulge in alone time in more positive ways as they get older, acknowledging this solitude as a healthy space for cultivating self-esteem, indulging in hobbies, and investing in their personal well-being.

Regardless of what social event is going on or pressures for their friend groups, they know that they have a safe space to recharge, unwind, and grow with themselves. Whether it's taking themselves on a solo date, cuddling up with a book on the couch, or trying a new hobby, they don't mind saying "no" to plans with people who don't add value to their life in favor of time spent alone.

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3. They don't people-please anymore

older woman happy she doesn't people-please anymore Krakenimages.com | Shutterstock

While many women are taught and pressured to people-please from a young age — to be agreeable, quiet, and passive in the face of men or other authority figures — as they get older, they tend to unlearn these behaviors that push them toward external validation, rather than internal security and stability.

Social pressures may urge young girls to put other people's needs before their own, but with age comes knowledge, experience, and, most importantly, self-assuredness that allows grown women to finally stick up for themselves.

Whether that means walking away from toxic relationships, speaking their mind in the office, or simply sticking to consistently healthy routines in their personal life, women who don't tolerate anyone's nonsense as they get older are actively unlearning their people-pleasing pasts.

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4. They know how to spot red flags

woman who knows how to spot red flags looking suspicious YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV | Shutterstock

Women with strong emotional intelligence skills — from self-awareness, to emotional regulation, and even general empathy — tend to boast more fulfilling and meaningful social relationships than their peers, according to a study from Personality and Individual Differences.

Whether that emotional intelligence was built through adversity, toxic relationships, or mental health support is a different discussion, but for aging women, it's the key to being able to spot toxic behavior and red flags.

Before they've invested tons of time and energy into a relationship, they source red flags. They know how to acknowledge when someone drains their energy, makes them feel worse about themselves, or even have the self-awareness to compare someone's effort with the standards they've set for themselves.

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5. They protect their peace

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In situations where a relationship is draining their energy or a work environment is causing them to consistently burn out, women who don't tolerate anyone's nonsense aren't afraid to set boundaries and "protect their peace." It might seem obvious — that we all want to feel at peace — but actually engaging in hobbies that assist us in doing so is harder than it seems.

Counselor Robin D. Stone narrows it down to two specific actions: setting boundaries and intentionally cultivating joy in your life. Women who don't tolerate anyone's nonsense as they get older usually utilize these tactics, finding ways to set boundaries with things causing stress and anxiety in their lives, while still making it a point to intentionally seek out things that add value.

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6. They don't chase validation

woman who doesn't chase validation looking out a window pikselstock | Shutterstock

While people who are uncomfortable and insecure about the aging process tend to have worsened emotional well-being and self-esteem as they get older, aging women who focus on internal validation — rather than seeking acceptance and praise from others or falling in line with societal expectations — are generally happier and healthier.

Like a study from Psychology and Aging, younger people are much more susceptible to influences, pressure, and opinions from other people than their older counterparts. So, for women who are not only self-assured but secure in their own identities, it's easier to craft a life focused on their needs, best interests, and happiness.

They're not constantly seeking attention from others, trying to shape-shift themselves to fit societal standards, or framing all of their choices and decisions around external validation. They don't tolerate other people's nonsense to protect the peace or their own social acceptance and comfort, but rather, set boundaries and focus on how they can craft a life that puts them first.

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7. They protect their energy

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Being around "energy vampires," toxic workplace cultures, and habits that don't serve them are all ways women drain their energy, especially as they get older. However, women who don't tolerate anyone's nonsense as they get older may be doing so to protect themselves from fatigue and emotional exhaustion.

While mental and emotional fatigue tends to worsen as people get older, especially without healthy habits, boundaries, or emotional intelligence, women who protect their energy focus on crafting a routine that serves their best interests. Whether it's walking away from people who drain them, crafting de-stressing habits and hobbies, or cultivating social interactions and communities that reinvigorate them — they're not afraid to put their own energetic and personal needs first.

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8. They love their lives

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Whether it's a professional career, an intimate partner, a secure circle of friends, or their relationship with themselves, women who don't tolerate anyone's nonsense as they get older usually have these reasons: they already enjoy their life as it is. If they don't have to bring someone else into it, especially someone who drains their energy and sabotages their health, they won't.

Of course, new social connections and interactions can help people to live longer, happier, and healthier lives, like experts from Harvard Health agree, but these women already have relationships that bolster their energy levels and add value to their lives. They don't mind investing time, energy, and space for these deep connections and meaningful relationships that they've already built trust with.

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9. They refuse to accept disrespect

woman who refuses to tolerate disrespect talking on the phone Miljan Zivkovic | Shutterstock

From the workplace to society at large, ageism is one of the most commonly accepted prejudices, which is why aging people, especially women, tend to face more disrespect than their younger counterparts. However, just because they're faced with more disrespectful language and behaviors doesn't mean these women tolerate them.

In fact, refusing to accept disrespect and calling out people's behaviors is one of the reasons why specific women don't tolerate anyone's nonsense as they get older. They're not afraid to take up space, carve it out for themselves, and set boundaries with people who try to drain their energy or diminish their self-worth.

RELATED: 10 Behaviors Of The Most Naturally Confident And Respected People, According To Psychology

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10. They're authentic

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Women who don't tolerate anyone's nonsense as they get older usually prioritize their own authenticity and genuine nature. They're no longer associated with or pressured into following society's standards and norms — especially around aging and getting older — so they can redefine their priorities without the shadow of judgement or expectation.

Of course, like a study from Personality and Individual Differences explains, it's these same women that prioritize their authenticity that also thrive in other aspects of their lives — from cultivating better mental health, to crafting habits that protect their physical health, and safeguarding their general social and personal well-being.

RELATED: 10 Tiny Signs You're A Truly Authentic Person, According To A Psychologist

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11. They've had toxic relationships before

woman reminiscing on her toxic relationships DimaBerlin | Shutterstock

Even in times of hardship, adversity, discomfort, and heartbreak, there's one saving grace that can help to mediate the hurt: you'll be more resilient and equipped to handle difficult situations on the other side. Like a study from Frontiers in Psychiatry explains, people who face adversity are often more resilient after navigating their challenges, whether it's childhood trauma, a toxic relationship, or self-esteem battles.

That's exactly why women who don't tolerate anyone's nonsense anymore often name their past as the reason. They've been in the shoes of someone who's given up themselves, their energy, and their worth for a toxic person or relationship and they won't do it again.

RELATED: 11 Things Highly Intelligent People Stop Caring About After A Certain Age

Zayda Slabbekoorn is a staff writer with a bachelor’s degree in social relations & policy and gender studies who focuses on psychology, relationships, self-help, and human interest stories.

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