The neverending stream of intrusive thoughts of past mistakes no matter how minor or major is not what I expected in my 40's
Sure, there is the physical pain; body aches, the random health condition changes, dental pain, fatigue
I was expecting that, but what I wasn't expecting was the visceral and constant flood of my past fuck ups (the full spectrum of big and small) popping into my head at the most inopportune moments. Some of which are so acute that they give me momentary tourettes as I shout an expletive as a reflex action to answer them.
Most of which are just memories of me saying the wrong thing and reliving the cringiest moments of "Why the fuck did I say that?!?"
I often have to calm myself down and answer the moment with "Nobody remembers that but me, so I don't have to either" with the hopes of letting the memory go so it doesn't come back again.
Is this just me, or is it a natural part of being 40+?