What has changed for you?

Let's see: In most of high school I would say politically I was more of the libertarian mindset, though gradually my senior year and moreso in college I started swinging further and further to the left. But before I met my high school/college girlfriend I wasn't particularly politically-minded really. She was a political junky and I kind of picked that up from her, and as I got more exposure to how things work and what goes on, I've moved further to the left. I live in the Seattle area now, which has a TON of very far left liberals, but I wouldn't say I'm that far over. But I wouldn't exactly call myself centrist either. I kind of swing both directions depending on the issue. I used to be a hard partier. Go to house parties, smoke a bunch of weed, get cross-faded. No more. I'll have a couple drinks from time to time, but most of the time I'm stone sober. I do like to vape weed from time to time, but it's more of a rare treat than a regular thing. I don't keep any booze in the house because I have no need or desire, plus my wife is in recovery. When I was a teenager I had a bit of a chip on my shoulder. I was quite angsty and would rebel against cliques and the like, and I had a very poor opinion of most of my peers. These days I still have a poor opinion of many people, but your average person I come across is just another person trying to live their life. And I rather enjoy people watching and seeing how they go about their day. I was not the most studious person in school. I didn't see the value since I wasn't planning on doing anything crazy or going to an elite college or anything like that. I'd regularly shirk my school duties in favor of going out with girls or going to parties and stuff like that. Now, I stay on my kid to do well in school, making sure he's invested, and guiding him toward excellence in school. He wants to be a veterinarian, and so I'm doing everything in my power to make sure he's successful in that endeavor. So I'm helping him with SAT prep, helping him choose classes in school and giving him assistance when needed, letting him join any clubs or other activities he wants (he's currently in robotics, esports, which he lettered in, and rock drum lessons). As an adult in my 20s through 30s, I spent a lot of time either keeping afloat as a young parent, or hustling to get ahead. Now, in my 40s I have a great career with great pay. I'm finally in a place of contentment where I just don't feel the need to get ahead anymore. If I do, that's great, and I'll gladly take more money and prestige. But I am perfectly happy to do my 8 hours a day, and instead of doing more schooling or studying, or working extra hours, spend time with my family. I'm more cognizant of my health. I'm not always successful in improving (still trying to lose those pounds I gained as a poor person with a poor diet), but I keep improving and doing better. I lost 5 pounds recently. I had some health scares over the last few years, so it put the fear of god in me (not literally). I still have a lot left to do and see on this green earth, so before I shuffle off into the aether, I want to make sure I'm giving myself every minute possible to get it all done. The funny thing about those health scares, though, is that while I don't want to die and will do anything I can to prolong my life, I no longer fear death. When my time comes, I feel like I'll be okay with that.