📝 Becoming More Introverted as I Get Older. And There’s Nothing Wrong With That!

 Becoming More Introverted as I Get Older. And There’s Nothing Wrong With That!

As I get older, I seem to be becoming more of an introvert. Now, for those of you who don't know me, you might think that's perfectly normal. After all, we tend to slow down a bit as the years roll by. But for me, it's a little more complicated than that.

Throughout most of my life, right up until the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, I was a very social and outgoing person. Whether it was work, hobbies, socialising with friends, or simply having a good old natter, I was never one to shy away from people. I enjoyed being out and about, meeting people, and getting involved in life.

So, what's changed?

I don't think there's one single answer. Instead, I believe it's a combination of societal changes, a shift in my own priorities, and perhaps a natural change in outlook as I've gotten older.

Has Society Changed, or Have I?

One thing I've noticed is just how fast-paced life has become. Everybody appears to be rushing around, chasing the next thing, juggling commitments, and trying to keep up with everything going on around them.

There's always something demanding our attention. Mobile phones are constantly pinging, social media never stops, and even when we have some free time, there's often a feeling that we ought to be doing something with it.

Perhaps I'm simply becoming less tolerant of all the noise and nonsense that comes with modern life. Or maybe, having experienced a fair bit of it myself, I'm beginning to realise that I don't need to be involved in everything.

There was a time when I would happily throw myself into social situations without giving it a second thought. These days, I find myself being far more selective about how I spend my time and who I spend it with.

And do you know what? I'm quite comfortable with that.

I'm not suggesting that everyone has changed for the worse, or that there's anything wrong with being sociable. Far from it. But I do think our priorities can change as we get older, and things that once seemed important don't necessarily hold the same appeal.

Rediscovering the Simple Pleasures of Life

Another big part of this change has been the rekindling of my love of nature and the great outdoors.

There's something rather special about getting away from the hustle and bustle, finding a quiet spot beside a river, taking a gentle walk through the countryside, or visiting a quaint old village with a bit of history behind it.

I enjoy those moments when I can slow down, take in my surroundings, and simply enjoy being there.

I don't need a crowd, loud music, or a packed social calendar to enjoy myself. Sometimes, a quiet walk, the sound of birdsong, or sitting beside the water is more than enough.

Perhaps it's because nature allows me to escape the constant demands of everyday life. There's no pressure to keep up appearances, no expectation to make conversation, and no need to be anywhere in particular by a certain time.

I can just be myself.

As I've got older, I've come to appreciate these simple pleasures far more than I once did. I suppose it's a case of realising that a fulfilling life doesn't necessarily have to be a busy one.

In fact, sometimes the quieter moments are the ones we remember most.

But You're an Extrovert! You Make YouTube Videos!

This is where things get interesting.

Every now and then, someone will ask me something along the lines of, "But you're an extrovert, aren't you? You make YouTube videos!"

And I can understand why they might think that.

After all, I put myself in front of a camera, talk about my interests and hobbies, share my experiences, and publish videos for other people to watch. Surely that makes me an extrovert?

Well, not necessarily.

For me, there's a big difference between sharing my interests with an audience through YouTube and sharing my personal space with other people in everyday life.

When I'm making a video, I'm doing something I enjoy on my own terms. I can research a subject, plan what I want to say, get out and about with my camera, and share the finished result with people who might find it interesting.

I don't have to be in a busy room, engage in small talk, or keep up with the pace of a group conversation. I can enjoy my own company while still connecting with others through something I'm passionate about.

And that, to me, is an important distinction.

Making videos gives me an opportunity to express myself creatively, share my experiences, and perhaps encourage others to get out and enjoy life in their own way.

It doesn't mean I want to spend every waking hour surrounded by people.

Besides, being an introvert doesn't automatically mean you're shy, antisocial, or afraid of a camera. Introversion and extroversion are not simply a case of being able to talk to people or not. It's also about what we enjoy, how we interact with others, and where we find our energy.

I can quite happily talk to a camera for a video, yet still prefer a quiet afternoon on my own rather than a busy social gathering.

There's no contradiction in that.

Finding My Own Kind of Community

One of the things I particularly enjoy about YouTube is that it allows me to connect with people who share similar interests and outlooks.

Although I might be sitting at home editing a video or recording a voiceover, I'm still part of a wider community. People watch, comment, share their experiences, and sometimes tell me that something I've made has encouraged them to try something themselves.

I find that genuinely rewarding.

I suspect that many of the people who regularly follow my channel are drawn to it because they appreciate a similar pace of life. They enjoy the outdoors, local history, exploring interesting places, or simply watching someone getting on with their retirement and making the most of what life has to offer.

We don't all have to be the same, of course. But there seems to be a common thread running through the community, and I like that.

It gives me the opportunity to connect with people without feeling that I have to be constantly available or socially active.

I can share something I'm interested in, have a conversation with someone in the comments, and then return to my own little world.

For me, that's a comfortable balance between enjoying my own company and maintaining connections with other people.

And perhaps that's one of the great advantages of modern technology when it's used in a way that suits us. It can bring people together without requiring us to be physically together all the time.

Getting Older Means Doing Things Differently

I also think there's a natural element to all of this.

As we get older, our priorities often change. We become more aware that our time and energy are valuable, and we may become less inclined to spend them on things that don't bring us much enjoyment.

Things that once seemed important can lose their appeal, while the little things we might previously have overlooked become much more meaningful.

For me, it's about finding a pace of life that works for me now, rather than trying to live the way I did twenty or thirty years ago.

That doesn't mean I've stopped being interested in people or the world around me. I still enjoy exploring, learning new things, creating videos, and sharing my experiences.

I simply don't feel the same need to fill every spare moment with activity or social interaction.

And I don't believe there's anything wrong with that.

We all change as we move through life. Our interests evolve, our circumstances change, and the things that make us happy can shift along the way.

Why should our social lives be any different?

Introversion Isn't an Illness

Perhaps the most important point I want to make is this: becoming more introverted as I get older isn't an illness. It's a personal choice about how I want to live my life.

I'm not unhappy because I enjoy my own company. I'm not sitting at home wishing I had a busy social calendar. And I'm certainly not suggesting that everyone should follow the same path.

I'm simply discovering that I get a great deal of satisfaction from a quieter, slower, and more considered way of living.

Of course, there's a difference between choosing solitude because you enjoy it and feeling isolated or lonely when you'd rather have company. Those are two very different things. But when you genuinely enjoy your own space, there's no reason to regard that as a problem that needs fixing.

I think we sometimes put too much pressure on ourselves to fit into society's idea of what a happy, successful, or fulfilling life should look like.

We're encouraged to stay busy, socialise regularly, keep up with trends, and always have something going on.

But what if happiness means doing less? What if it means having fewer commitments, spending more time outdoors, pursuing your hobbies, and being comfortable with your own thoughts?

Surely that's just as valid.

For me, retirement has provided an opportunity to reconsider what matters most. I want to spend my time doing things I enjoy, exploring the world around me at my own pace, and sharing a little of that journey with others.

If that makes me more of an introvert than I used to be, then so be it.

I'm not trying to turn the clock back to the person I was before 2020. I'm simply getting to know the person I've become.

And I'm rather enjoying his company!

So, Has Getting Older Changed Me?

Yes, I think it has. But perhaps not in the way some people might imagine.

I'm still curious about the world. I still have hobbies, interests, and ideas for things I'd like to do. I still enjoy making YouTube videos and connecting with people who appreciate what I share.

What has changed is my relationship with time, people, and the world around me.

I value peace and tranquillity more than I once did. I appreciate the freedom to do things at my own pace. And I'm increasingly comfortable with the idea that I don't have to be constantly surrounded by people to lead a fulfilling life.

Maybe society has changed. Maybe I've changed. Most likely, it's a bit of both.

Whatever the reason, I've reached a point where I'm happy to follow my own path rather than feel obliged to follow everyone else's.

And if there's one thing I've learnt, it's that getting older doesn't necessarily mean giving things up. Sometimes it means discovering what you really want to keep.

For me, that's the freedom to enjoy life on my own terms, appreciate the quieter moments, and share my little corner of the world with those who want to come along for the ride.

After all, being comfortable in your own company isn't the same as being alone. And choosing a quieter life doesn't mean you've stopped living.

Sometimes, it simply means you've finally found your own pace.

The Home Truths About Becoming a YouTube Creator 😂

If you are thinking about becoming a YouTube creator because you have visions of fame, fortune, thousands of subscribers, and money rolling into your bank account while you sit back and admire your success, let me give you a few home truths.

It probably isn't going to happen quite like that. 😂

I'm speaking from experience.

Take one of my recent videos. It has now been live on YouTube for six days. Without going into all the finer details, it took me around five days, or approximately 40 hours, to produce.

That included researching the subject, writing the script, travelling to the location, filming, capturing aerial footage, recording everything I needed, travelling home, editing the video and doing all the post-production that goes on behind the scenes.

Then there is the cost of actually getting there.

With the current price of petrol, the journey there and back cost me approximately £25 in fuel.

So, after around 40 hours of work and £25 spent on fuel, what did I get for my efforts?

Well... 233 views.

And approximately 600 minutes of watch time.

And my financial reward?

A magnificent 18 pence. Yes, eighteen whole pence.

I could almost hear the champagne corks popping. 😂

Welcome to YouTube

This is where anyone thinking about becoming a YouTube creator needs to understand something.

YouTube isn't simply a case of picking up a camera, making a few videos and waiting for the money to roll in.

There are millions of videos being uploaded, and you are competing for people's attention against professional production companies, television programmes, celebrities, influencers and thousands upon thousands of other ordinary people doing exactly what you are doing.

Getting noticed is difficult.

Getting subscribers is difficult.

Getting consistent views is difficult.

And making meaningful money from it?

That's a whole different ball game.

My problem is that I don't have just one niche

There is another potential problem with what I do.

I don't really have a single, neatly defined YouTube niche.

David Wilson Out and About is about... well, me going out and about. 😂

One week, I might be exploring a Kent village and researching its history.

Next, I might be visiting an ancient church or historic building.

Another video might involve a day hike through the Kent countryside.

Then I could be out kayaking along the River Medway or exploring another stretch of water.

I might be filming a historic location, investigating an old building, visiting a place I've driven past for decades, or simply getting out into the countryside with a camera.

Then there is my fishkeeping hobby, which occasionally makes its way into my content as well.

I also have an ongoing interest in cameras, drones, and other equipment that help me pursue all of these interests.

In other words, I don't have a channel where every video is aimed at precisely the same audience.

From a purely commercial YouTube perspective, that probably isn't the cleverest strategy.

But there is a reason for it.

I'm not creating content simply to satisfy an algorithm.

I'm creating videos about the things that interest me.

I'm not interested in the YouTube conveyor belt

And there is another thing I deliberately don't do.

I don't churn out endless copycat-style review videos simply because a particular product is currently getting views.

You know the sort of thing.

A new gadget is released.

Within days, there are dozens of almost identical videos appearing.

"10 Things You Need to Know!"

"My Honest Review!"

"You Won't Believe This!"

"Is It Actually Worth Buying?"

Then another product comes along, and the whole process starts again.

For some creators, that's their business, and fair play to them. If it works, it works.

But it isn't me.

I don't want to sit on a conveyor belt producing one review after another simply because that's what the algorithm appears to favour that week.

If I review something, it is generally because I've actually bought it, used it, and have something genuine to say about it.

The same applies to the places I visit.

I don't want to manufacture videos simply because I think YouTube needs another upload.

I'd rather spend several days researching something properly, go out and experience it for myself, film it properly, and then produce something I'm genuinely proud of.

That takes time.

Quite a lot of time.

And it doesn't necessarily produce a lot of views.

My age doesn't exactly help either

Then there is the small matter of my age.

I'm in my late sixties.

I'm not a 25-year-old social media influencer with an enormous following and a team of people behind me.

I'm a retired bloke who spends his spare time driving around Kent with cameras and drones, walking through villages, exploring historic locations, going hiking, kayaking, keeping fish, and generally finding excuses to get out of the house.

I'm certainly not going to pretend to be something I'm not simply because it might perform better on YouTube.

And perhaps that is one of the reasons my channel has grown organically.

People know what they're getting.

Me.

No manufactured persona.

No fake enthusiasm.

No pretending that every £20 gadget has changed my life.

No jumping on every passing internet trend.

Just a bloke who enjoys getting out and about and sharing what he discovers along the way.

And yes, I'm male

There is also the reality that I'm a bloke.

That might sound strange to mention, but demographics matter on social media.

There are certain niches where younger creators, female creators, or particular personalities naturally attract larger audiences.

Being an older male creator producing content about Kentish villages, historic churches, countryside walks, kayaking, local history, buildings, fishkeeping, and assorted adventures probably isn't the recipe for instant viral success.

But again, I'm not particularly bothered.

I'd rather have a smaller audience who genuinely enjoy what I do than build a huge audience by turning myself into somebody I'm not.

And my subject matter isn't exactly mainstream

Let's face it, there isn't a huge worldwide audience desperately waiting for a 20-minute documentary about a small village in Kent.

There are only so many people who are interested in the history of an obscure church, an old bridge, a historic building, or a particular stretch of the River Medway.

That's the downside of having a fairly specialised subject.

The potential audience is smaller.

But the upside is that the people who do watch are often genuinely interested.

And that's far more rewarding than having thousands of people click on a video, watch for 30 seconds, and disappear.

The algorithm doesn't care about your petrol bill

This is another thing aspiring creators soon discover.

YouTube doesn't care how long your video took to make.

It doesn't know that you spent five days researching it.

It doesn't care that you drove for an hour and spent £25 on fuel.

It doesn't know that you spent hours filming.

It doesn't care that you stood around waiting for the right light.

It doesn't know that you've spent another ten hours editing the footage.

It certainly doesn't care that you've spent hundreds or thousands of pounds over the years on cameras, drones, microphones, computers, storage, and everything else required to produce the content.

The algorithm sees a video.

It looks at things such as whether people click on it, how long they watch, whether they continue watching, and how viewers respond.

That's it.

You can spend 40 hours producing something you're immensely proud of, and YouTube can effectively say:

"That's nice. 233 people watched it."😂

So why bother?

That's probably the most important question.

Why would anybody spend 40 hours producing a video that earns 18 pence?

Because I enjoy it.

And that completely changes the equation.

I classify what I do as a hobby, not a business.

Like most hobbies, it costs me money.

Someone might spend their spare time playing golf and spend hundreds of pounds on clubs, memberships, and green fees.

Someone else might go fishing and spend money on rods, reels, and tackle.

Someone might restore an old car and pour thousands of pounds into it.

I spend my spare time driving around Kent, exploring villages, historic locations, and buildings, walking through the countryside, kayaking, keeping fish, researching local history, taking photographs, flying drones, and making videos.

And yes, it costs me money.

But so do most hobbies.

The difference is that occasionally YouTube gives me a few pennies back.

Very occasionally. 😂

The 40 hours don't matter

People sometimes look at the amount of time I spend producing a video and say:

"You spent five days making that? You could never make money at that rate."

And they're absolutely right.

If I were treating this as a business, I'd probably have given up a long time ago.

But I'm not.

The 40 hours don't matter because I wasn't sitting there thinking:

"I must make 40 hours' worth of wages from this."

I was doing something I enjoy.

I was learning something.

I was exploring somewhere.

I was getting out into the countryside.

I was kayaking.

I was walking.

I was researching history.

I was filming.

I was flying the drone.

I was playing with cameras.

I was keeping fish.

And eventually I ended up with a video that I could share with other people.

That's the reward.

The 18 pence is merely the icing on a very, very small cake. 😂

Don't start YouTube expecting fame and fortune

So if you're thinking about becoming a YouTube creator, by all means, give it a go.

But don't start because you think it's an easy way to make money.

Don't buy £3,000 worth of camera equipment before you've made your first video.

Don't assume that because somebody else has 500,000 subscribers, you will too.

Don't expect the algorithm to suddenly discover you.

And don't measure your enjoyment of creating content entirely by the number of views you receive.

Most importantly, don't assume that you have to become a human content factory.

You don't have to churn out three videos a week.

You don't have to jump on every trend.

You don't have to make endless copycat reviews.

You don't have to turn your hobby into a conveyor belt simply because someone tells you that's what the YouTube algorithm wants.

Sometimes it is perfectly acceptable to spend several days making one video you are genuinely proud of.

Because you might spend five days making something you're incredibly proud of and six days later, discover that 233 people have watched it and you've earned 18 pence. 😂

But if you enjoyed making it, learned something, explored somewhere new, and produced something you're proud of, perhaps you've already got your money's worth.

That's how I look at David Wilson Out and About.

It's not a business empire.

It's not a get-rich-quick scheme.

It's not a quest for fame.

And it's certainly not a conveyor-belt content factory.

It's simply an extension of the things I enjoy doing.

I get to explore Kent, discover its history, visit beautiful villages and churches, walk the countryside, go kayaking, investigate historic locations and buildings, keep my fish, experiment with cameras and drones, and share my experiences with whoever happens to be interested.

And if YouTube occasionally throws a few pennies my way, well...

I'll put the kettle on. 😂

Because at the end of the day, the most important thing isn't how much money I make from doing it.

I enjoy it.

And that's what makes it a hobby. 😁

Eynsford: A Walk Through A Village With A Big History.

 

Come along with me for a wander around Eynsford, Kent, a beautiful village in the Darent Valley with a surprisingly long history. And the best bit is, Eynsford is only about 3 miles from my own village, yet there was still plenty for me to discover.

On this walk, we'll explore the River Darent, the old river crossing and bridge, St Martin's Church, and the impressive remains of Eynsford Castle, an unusually early Norman castle dating back to shortly after the Norman Conquest. I'll also take a look at some of the interesting people connected with Eynsford, including the writer Arthur Mee, the composers Peter Warlock and E. J. Moeran, and the aviation pioneer Percy Pilcher.

Then we'll head beyond the village to explore the fascinating history of Lullingstone Roman Villa and Lullingstone Castle, before taking to the air with the DJI Mini 4 Pro for some aerial views of Eynsford and the surrounding Darent Valley.

What I particularly like about places such as Eynsford is that the history isn't locked away in a museum. It's all around you. The river, the church, the castle, the old buildings, the countryside, and the roads have connected these communities for centuries. And despite all that history, Eynsford is still a living, working village.

So grab yourself a cuppa, sit back, and come for a walk with me.

Thanks for watching, and I hope you enjoy exploring Eynsford with me.

📍 Eynsford, Kent

🎥 DJI Pocket 3,  DJI Mini 4 Pro.

🚶 Walking • History • Countryside • Aerial Cinematography

The Little Church In The Marsh | St Thomas Becket Church, Fairfield, Kent

 

Hidden away in the wide open landscape of Romney Marsh, near Fairfield in Kent, stands a remarkably small and fascinating church, St Thomas à Becket Church.

In this video, we take a closer look at this unusual little church, its relationship with the surrounding marsh, and the centuries of history contained within its walls. From the isolated landscape and historic drainage ditches to the Georgian box pews, remarkable triple-decker pulpit, medieval timber roof, and unusual font, Fairfield Church reveals layer after layer of Kent's past.

The church has faced some very difficult conditions over the centuries, particularly the damp and waterlogged environment of the Romney Marsh. It has been repaired, restored, and adapted, yet somehow retains the character of a much older building. There's also the fascinating connection with St Thomas à Becket, along with local traditions and stories surrounding the church and the marsh.

What I particularly enjoy about Fairfield is that the building and the landscape are inseparable. You don't simply visit an old church here — you experience it within the huge, open landscape that helped shape its history.

So join me as we explore St Thomas à Becket Church, Fairfield, Kent, and discover the story behind one of Romney Marsh's most intriguing little churches.

If you enjoy exploring historic churches, forgotten places, villages, landscapes, and the lesser-known stories of Kent, consider subscribing to the channel.

Thanks for watching!