Yes, as you reach the golden years, you get to care less what people think since you want to be your authentic self. You've "been there, done that". I am all for that.
What I have an issue on is when certain people use old age as an excuse to be grumpy, just because they don't have patience anymore to be considerate of others' feelings. Their excuse is that they've earned this right from having lived for more than half a century.
Today, I initially blamed myself for being too transparent then getting scorned at as a consequence. Then I realized, why am I taking the fault when I'm just being honest about my own feelings? Why am I thinking of clamming up because of someone's bitterness in their own life? It is them who need to reflect on themselves.
I really hope I do not turn into one of them. I have my bitterness about life but I won't let it make me lose my empathy, especially to my friends who give their trust to me by showing me their vulnerability. Compassion is what is needed, not judgement.
Trust shall be revoked from ye of no faith.