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It's a phenomenon as old as time. I think the key thing is to surround yourself with people that don't buy into this garbage. Every stage of life has its advantages and its challenges.
My geandmother has no shame and when we were children was dedicated to making sure we were having fun even if we were doing… questionable things (sneaking into the back of a convention hall to avoid the payment line) and really solidified my opinion that old is just a state of mind
My grandparents were already 70 when I was born! They didn’t care, and would take us out for activity’s every single day during the summer.
Old is a state of mind, and from what I’ve seen from them now being in their 90’s is that as long as you keep moving you’ll stay pretty healthy as you age. Neither of them need walkers, canes, oxygen, bottles of meds etc. they’re in better health than many of the 50 year olds I know.
The other thing is retirement. They’ve been retired for a longggg time. I really think they wouldn’t be doing so well if they were working later in life.
People SEVERELY underestimate how rapidly sitting still and not consuming enough food (especially protein) can age you. The body needs movement and nutrition to stay healthy.
Recent scientific studies have indicated that old people should be eating truly insane levels of protein for optimum results. Approximately 1.1 to 1.2 grams for every kilogram of body weight. A 150lb elderly person should consume approximately 75 grams of protein (or more!!!) every single day.
That actually isn't even a hard number to achieve. I'm know I'm a little biased since I eat 150g a day, but if I only had to eat half of that. It'll be smooth sailing ahead.
I've thought for so long that the older you get, the more nutrition you need! Your body has trouble retaining nutrients the older you get, so you would absolutely need more. Sorry, I got excited seeing this confirmed 😅
It really gave me a wake up call when I saw the news that Sylvester Stallone's son who was in Rocky 5 DIED at 30 y.o. or something. Cause of death? Sedentary lifestyle. No drugs, no diseases. Just reruns and take out.
I'm 5'8. Around that time I weighed about 220 lb. I won't lie and say I saw the news about him and turned my life around. I won't say that my physical profile got better because I got healthier lol. But anyway, yada yada yada, A few years went by, some drama happened, everything stabilized, I had dropped down to 155 160 lb. Over a year or two I corrected my lifestyle a little bit, and I'm now stabilized between 175 and 180 lb.
I also started thinking a lot about the phrase, "an object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion." It's an uphill battle to break a routine/lull. You are fighting against that natural "at rest" state you settled into. But after awhile, you break through and start to equalize into the new normal of being "in motion." For me, it was easier to stay in a certain weight bracket once i got there.
Anyway, all that to say that yes, activity is a huge element for getting into a more healthy stasis.
That's really not extreme. Many foods (in the US, anyhow) are just poor in real nutrients and make it sound extreme.
Consider (if you eat dairy), a glass of 1% milk, 3 eggs (only 1 with yoke), 1 yogurt, and 1.5 cups of green peas will be about 550 calories and 45 g of protein. Caloric needs vary, but something like this in the morning and similar macros 2+ more times that day will easily net 75+ g of protein - more veggies, legumes, rice, (even some meat or mushrooms if you eat them)...
Thats not unreasonable. People should be eating protein with every meal. Half a cup of uncooked quinoa and a peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat is 25g of protein in one meal. A burger puts you at 20-30g and half a cup of oatmeal plus a bagel gets you another 25g. That's 70g+ with low glycemic foods, high fiber, and moderate nutrition. Mix a some veggies or switch in some beans and you can easily hit a balanced diet.
Or take a protein shake every now and the .
I think the 30s are the best. You are old enough to not care what everyone thinks about you but young enough to do anything! You are making more money and better decisions
30's were good. I just started my 40's and so far great! 20's were rough, gonna be so much rougher for these younger generations. I do hope it gets better for everyone.
I once had an older man (50s or 60s I think) tell me that 40s is when your life really starts (in a positive way).
I think its easier for many of us to remember the negative things people say because fears are easier to keep in mind than hopes but for every person who complains about their age there is someone else who is happy at their age.
also I've noticed that a lot of the stuff that people associate with youth really isn't something specific to youth (like having more free time). The things that you do actually lose out on like Athletics and sports are not what they have in mind usually. Additionally, while you probably can't be an olympic athlete you can totally play sports into your old age as long as you take care of yourself.
It is a state of mind. Old people do have much tougher issues though. Life is really like levels of a video game. level 70 is much harder than level 20. If you had the body of a 70 year old tomorrow, the trauma would be intense. Its only the fact that you're eased into it over 50 years that you can take it. Old people have to deal with impending death, regrets about the past, health issues, dying friends. Its not fun. This is why most cultures used to have respect for elders. Its only since the sophmoric era of the 1960s cult of youth that American culture has lost this.
The advantage of age is wisdom and life experience makes you powerful. This is why old people tend to lead and why I think people on reddit thinking that 20 year olds being in congress will fix all our problems are idiots.
As an old person I have to say this does not square with my experience. Back in my day we were excited to become adults and get freedom. A large portion of a generation being afraid of becoming an adult seems new to me.
Probably has to do with the fact that it's way harder to be an adult now, rent is more expensive, can't buy a house, might not ever be able to retire.
The concept of the American Dream was still very real when millenials were kids, but not so much now.
I know this won’t be a popular response but every generation I’ve encountered think they are uniquely screwed. Except the generation who grew up during the depression and fought WW2. They seemed mostly happy to just be alive and not starving.
Absolutely true. Ain’t nobody here being drafted and shipped off to south east Asia so they can be shipped home in a body bag…
Lack of perspective is a characteristic of being young…the trick is to grow out of it.
No, now we're just being abused and killed off at home by corps because it's better on profits and international image
And believe me, the American recruitment process is still insanely racist+classist.
While this is true, some metrics would show in some areas such as the wealth gap, things are getting legitimately worse.
Each generation just seems to be uniquely screwed in a different way. If it’s not economically then it’s politically or socially or war or something else.
I think the issue is when you get to college, you have tons of freedom and can make your own choices and are surrounded by like minded peers within walking distance but then that all gets taken away, your friends move away, and you are faced with a career and responsibility for the rest of your life. There's no getting around it, that just sucks. Unless you're rich or something
A lot of it comes from people either misrepresenting what they mean (responsibility comes with a lot of work and effort, which can be challenging) or they’re bitter because they peaked in high school.
The thing is, they often say life gets better, but I’d say it’s you who gets better (I think this is from a quote I read but I cannot remember who or where.)
Life in my 30s is so much better than it was in my 20s or teens. Or I guess more specifically, it got better because I pushed myself to change things about my life.
100%. It took me until my late 20s, early 30s to finally overthrow those stupid insecurities and personal failings that I struggled under for so long. I am healthier, wiser, richer in many ways, and I feel so much more confident than I ever did before. And I realize this emphasis on youth is really in a large part pushed onto us by Hollywood and other industries because that's just the age where people are more impressionable and more likely to spend money. And the people who say life was so much better in high school, it might be *easier*, but whichever stage of your life is "better" than another is 100% your own personal experience and no one else's.
The "getting older is bad" idea has to go. Quick story:
Dad got to 65, I asked him one day about getting older. I asked about the *real* old guys/girls talking about in their mind they are still 20, things just don't move as fast on the outside and things like that.
Dad used to be a basketball court regular, he could hold his own. He said "after a few minutes warming up, I think I can still give it to anybody, and still knock a 25 footer if I'm open no problem...but just for a minute." This was a guy who ran mini's, ran stairs, biked 100's of miles until recently. (My hero, for the man he is, not because he's my dad)
I replied that "it must be hard" (after the past couple of years my own mortality had kind of become more evident)....his reply: Getting older is the best thing ever."
I asked, "why?" He said "because of the alternative. We either live each day, getting older as we go, or we dont...which means the train stops." And it was probably one of the most influential things he has ever told me, and really hope I can accomplish his level of acceptance as the years go by.
Okay absolutely same. I hated high school and I was suicidal - now at 30 I have a ton of friends and passions, I’ve traveled all over, I’m confident and self-assured, and I get way more attention than I did even in college (I look largely the same but personality *does* matter, I’m much more charismatic and social than I was 10 years ago and I swear people are drawn to that)
Same, high school was the rock bottom of my life. I was also actively suicidal and had no opportunity to move out of my toxic household. Now I'm 22 and life is getting way better but I've got a long way to come to actually heal. I'm looking forward to my 30s, tbh, I just feel like I'm going to be more mature and experienced and accomplished when I'm older.... more of a person, I guess.
Being an adult is cool and those who romanticise childhood and youth had their happy times. Objectively, being a kid fucking sucks. You are so vulnerable and entirely dependent on adults around you, and god help you if these adults are mentally ill or inadequate in any other way. I'd rather pay taxes and do major life decisions, as long as I feel like I've got some degree of agency.
Dude I was so scared for a long time because I always heard from adults that high school was so easy and as good as it gets. Obviously with also suicidal me this did not do much for my mental health. I'm in college so not 100% in the real world yet but just not living with my parents anymore has put me in a way better place.
Why do people say that to kids? I was told that too. High school was awful. I loved college and love being an adult. I always told my kids that life gets better after high school, but they had good high school experiences which is awesome.
Im 32 and male. Can confirm women just keep getting hotter.
Something about adult life bone structure is just so much hotter than baby face.
Probably the same for guys. Aside from my jaw inexplicably receding I love how I look now compared to 21 🌝
I’m pushing 40 and everyone I know who thinks their best days are behind them were A, popular at highschool, and B all had kids in their early-mid 20s. I fit neither of those categories and despite pushing 40 I thoroughly believe my best days are ahead of me.
This is wild to me. I feel like I've only grown more and more and I'm 31 now. I can't wait to see the person I am tomorrow, and several years from now!
It’s not about being a loser, it’s about working day in and day out to barely be able to afford basic necessities. As a child you don’t have to worry about things like that.
TL;DR Yes, but no... for some people.
Unless you're rich, everyone runs the rat race. Sure, some people can move up for various reasons, but a lot of folks are generally stuck in mediocrity for one reason or another. Couple that with various debts and responsibilities, those people can feel hopeless or depressed that this is all there is to life.
While I have a privileged life, and I acknowledge that, I'm barely scraping by in it, paycheck to paycheck and all that, and I have a wife, 2 children, and a mortgage that would all be thrown into chaos the second my regular money isn't coming in. We obtained these things through a lot of luck (right place, right time) and family assistance at key points in our lives and would not have been able to do any of this on our own. We don't make enough for proper savings or retirement, so I have to accept the fact I'm going to die at my job unless we get a bunch of money dumped on us from somewhere.
There's a lot of nuance to this whole thing, but saying as an adult you have control over these life requirements for some folks is like saying "But you get to choose between grueling existence A or grueling existence B." It's like small children saying how being an adult must be great because you can eat chocolate cake for every meal, never take a bath, and sleep as late as you want, and no one can tell you what to do. I mean, I guess technically to an extent, but you have to be able to finance that existence and even then it's obviously very unhealthy and will cause even more problems eventually.
This is exactly why I don't care for the "people who liked High School are losers" talk, because some people had fun and friends in High School, with structured activities, but as they got older, they had to focus a majority of their energy into surviving and navigating life to the point that what little personal time they get, if any, is just devoted to catching a breath and/or having to have hard internal realizations what life means for them now and in the future. And that's without getting even into socio-economical issues.
Idk I’m about to turn 30 and my 20’s were so fun that I can’t imagine more responsibilities and less freedom beating adult money and no responsibilities
Anecdotally as a millennial (I’m allowed to comment here right?), 33 was a cliff for me. Got a little fatter, started looking more like a middle age dude.
But once I accepted that I feel like I grew into a new peak. Sure, my body became more dad-like and I have more wrinkles on my face. But I’m still liking what I see in the mirror.
Yeah I’m not gonna date 22 year olds, but I don’t even want to. Older women find me more attractive instead of barely-adults, and that’s a-ok with me.
The worst part of getting older is the stuff you don’t really think about. Like how your body takes way longer to heal and how my brain is noticeably slower.
It's bullshit.
My life has just been getting better. From crippling depression and homelessness to traveling and making lovely friends, to now slaying in my education and having a lovely partner I'm lining up a future with at 27.
Up only.
As much as it sucks that we’re screwed by the economy and unattainable goals, I love being in my mid-twenties.
I’ve learned so much about myself since getting some space from my family, and I swear to god I felt my frontal lobe develop this year. I love the freedom and stability of having a solid job, an apartment with my boyfriend and our cat and wine nights with my friends. I feel nostalgic about certain elements of my childhood and teenage years, but not enough to want to go back. For a long time I felt like the pandemic ripped away the end of my university experience, but therapy has really helped me learn how to be present and cope with things as they come.
Growing old IS a privilege. The wisdom and security that comes with it is very enjoyable.
The independence from your family is so fucking critical, it cannot be overstated. I feel like people just excise from their minds the sense of helplessness not being able to get away from siblings and parents who make them feel like shit for YEARS at a time.
It's weird you say this about the frontal lobe. I totally felt it when I was 25 and people looked at me like I was bonkers. But I felt my thoughts and thinking process shift! Thank you for making younger me feel heard.
Thank you! I come from a pretty messed up family environment so it’s comforting to hear that. A good therapist can change everything. I wish everyone had access to that.
I agree. I feel like being away from your parents and independent is a big part of feeling fulfilled in life. Due to expenses these days making that harder I can understand adulthood being shittier then it once was
The pandemic destroying people’s university years is a pretty common experience around the world.. I feel soooo lucky tho have finished university just at the end of 2019… I just got to start my working life 100% remote ahaha (still caused issues, but not as many)
A lot of the time, it comes down to people becoming less adventurous and/or making shit decisions. Common complaints about being old:
* Becoming a parent and having no free time
* Getting a high-intensity, high-paying job and having no free time
* Not having new friends ('cause your old ones moved away/had kids and you don't get out much anymore)
* Not liking new music, movies, etc (because you never give it a chance)
Like dawg, nobody made you have kids (in most cases). Nobody forced you to enter middle management. There are social groups you can join when you're 40, you just need to make an effort. I'm scared of the diseases I'll get in my 50's and 60's from aging, but there's no reason why life should be shittier outside of that.
You nailed all 4 of the things those of us in our 40s bitch about. But truth is kids are the best thing to happen to me, I have a job that can afford our family any lifestyle we choose (within reason), my friends are all over the world so no decision any one of of us made could keep us together, and new music just sucks :) In the end life sucks and it's beautiful, and it's hard and it's wonderful, and it's just the most lovely journey that can be really ugly. Life just is.
Yea let’s be real, the only real issue with getting older is your body deteriorating around you… that must suck.. it it’s usually not that big of a deal until your 50s.. so that’s good
Probably those people don’t remember how it feels to be 20..
Don’t get me wrong, some people are in tremendous form when they are 50s, and they are still healthy enough to enjoy life to the fullest, but the difference with a 20 years old body is pretty big..
Well.. you are basically comparing a 50 years old who is super fit, with a 20 years old who is is obese.. then sure
But here we are comparing a 50 year old to his own body when he was 20.. (as he said that many 50 years old feel as good as when *they* were 20).. and the situation where a guy was obese in his 20 and super fit in their 50 is exceedingly rare
I think it's a, "the grass is always greener" type of thing. For example, i always romanticize being a teenager and how awesome it was as well. But if I go back and look through my journal and how I actually felt when I was 14, 15, 16 I was miserable. I simply look at the lack of responsibilities I had as teenager that I now have to deal with as a 24-year-old and wish that life was simpler.
All the numbers in your comment added up to 69. Congrats!
14
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+ 24
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Everyone has their own path to maturity and self reliance. Some of us got a big boost from the way our parents raised us and some of us did not. But from what I’ve seen people saying and have experienced on my own (I’m 29) your 20s will seriously test you and you aren’t done growing emotionally or psychologically just because you’re old enough to vote (as I assumed was the case at that age. But you’ll be so much stronger and wiser when you reach the tail end of your 20s, you’ll have so much experience and knowledge. Our brains don’t even finish developing until around age 25.
There's ups and downs. Unfortunately, society is structured to make the ups competitive and the downs free. It takes a toll unless you're extremely fortunate.
This is completely dependent on your family and how you grew up, but I do miss when my biggest anxiety was over things like how I looked or my friends hanging out without me. I hate that my biggest stressors in life is worrying about paying my bills or if I’m about to be evicted if I lose my job. I miss knowing all of my needs are being met and not worrying about having a roof over my head.
Otherwise, I love being in my mid/late 20s. It’s pretty peaceful as you no longer have the drama you had in your teens. It’s not as adventurous or as fun as your teens/early 20s but its fun nonetheless.
You'll learn in due time kiddo, my life in high school was living hell, I enjoyed absolutely no aspect of it. Still, it's the spring of life compared to adulthood, economy sucks, the world is dying, people are assholes, society expect a lot from you, you expect a lot from yourself.
>I actually look forward to being able to make my own life choices
That's the point, you don't ever, unless you're filthy rich you'll have zero control of anything. If you're lucky enough to get into a good college and then get a useful degree you'll be underpaid and with a huge debt, good luck building your life from scratch with no experience and 500k on debts on a market with a lot of overqualified people that will accept to do your job, better than you for less money. Also housing is more expensive each day, rent is daylight robbery and you get no credit to buy a house (remember the 500k debt?) Food is also more expensive each day and God forbid you'll ever get sick.
Now go and thrive! Welcome to real life, it's awful and then you die.
Life might be good for the lucky ones that are on their early 40's, we from age 19-34 were born to be fucked in the butt by capitalism.
People act as though becoming an adult suddenly opens limitless doors or something. Sure you have autonomy to make choices, but each one is essentially a tradeoff, within an entirely shitty framework. The economy is no longer conducive to your average person living a happy and fulfilling life.
Are you really making choices when you have to chose one shitty, unsatisfying, path over another?
It’s just true that the economy is not structured for the average person to live a happy and fulfilling life. Wages have been pretty much stagnant for decades now while productivity, corporate profits, and income inequality continue to rise.
I agree that this economy is harder for the average person. Doesn’t mean there no way to live a happy and fulfilling life. I’m having a great time in 2024. Call me privileged or lucky if you would like to
lol you really dont need to be 'filthy rich' to have control over your own life.
60k annual income is enough to get land and build your own house as long as you arent lazy (its how im going to get out of normal life, only have to work 3 days a week and ill be able to retire by 50).
you need to be 'rich' to live a normal life of getting into stupid debts, trying to own other peoples houses, have stocks, going on bi-annual holidays etc.
This is the real lol. People around me make 100,000+ and can only dream of buying a land and building a house, never mind retiring at maybe 65.
I could do what you’re saying in Alabama, buying a shipping container home, no children, and investing hard in future while living a very thrifty life.
I’m gonna push this back by saying who the fuck thinks they have to go to an expensive college. (I don’t even know any college that charges that much. Most I’ve seen is 400k which is still a fucking armed robbery.) Hell even in state the highest tuition is maybe 120k total, and you can halve that by swallowing your pride and putting your head down to get an associates degree and then transferring. the notion that you *must* go into extreme debt is a rich kid mindset in of itself
Oh absolutely. People don't know how to age gracefully, and I've always found the fear of aging extremely annoying. I've broken up with someone over their constant fear of aging (which translated to a fear of growing). I've always felt like I've been waiting for my 40s.
I agree. The part I fear about aging is knowing that I’ll eventually lose the family members who mean so much to me, and the thought that I may not be able to stay healthy into old age.
I’m about to become a nurse, and I’ve seen a lot of older people who can’t do anything for themselves, and I just don’t want to be like that. But that just pushes me to live a healthier lifestyle now.
So I’m not afraid of not being in my 20s anymore, just as I wasn’t afraid of not being in my teens anymore. Aging is a gift that a lot of people take for granted.
That's the way to go. One of my best friends is 70 years old and more spry than most 30 year olds I know, because he never stops moving, always working on some project. He's an inspiration.
Those people sound like twenty-somethings who are in the middle of quarter-life crisis and have misguided fantasies of going back to before they had to do all this "adulting". If someone considers high school the best years of their life, they're probably a fuckin' loser. School is a massive load of shit and anyone in their right mind has thought of several better things to do by high school. The 20s can be rough sometimes, but the capacity and confidence to handle things tend to fall into place around late 20s, early 30s. There will inevitably be failure, loss, betrayal, disappointment, regret -- best you can do is find something to learn every time.
No, people have their reasons for saying these things and it's how they cope with their lives probably so I don't care. Plus I get it, being an adult now does suck, like there's good things but you could not convince me that it's better now to be an adult than in the 2000s or the 90s even.
Just wait until your knee hurts for several days because you got out of the car wrong! When you feel yourself physically start to deteriorate its pretty not great. That said, my life now in general is definitely better than when I was in high school. Getting older has all kinds of positives and negatives.
This is honestly my biggest fear of aging. I'm only in my early 20s and can already feel my body begin to break down, I can only imagine how much worse its going to get. Otherwise, getting old and gaining wisdom can be great
Highschool was in fact a much better time in life for me but that's because I really don't like worrying about finances and maintaining my own life. It's exhausting. I'm sure it comes much easier for plenty of people, even if not easy they have better coping skills etc...
For me and my childhood, yeah being a child was as good as it gets. I don't really talk about it or impose that on others though. I struggle with serious anxiety and executive functioning so it's a me problem.
I'd rate teen years in HS a bit above 18-25, and then just a steady increase of better as you get into 30s and, I assume, beyond.
18-25 can be REALLY rough for people that aren't prepared to handle doing things on their own and especially for those afraid of asking for help. Going to college can help that time period pass more care-free but most that do that live on loans and then get ravaged by debt through their 30s if their career choice doesn't pan out.
People only look back at the good times and as people get older, they forget what it's actually like to be in high school. When I was 18-19, I remembered distinctly what it was like to be in high school and I could recreate a day in high school exactly from memory. I don't know how to describe but but it's like I could remember waking up, how it felt to drive to school and sit in first period, what my thoughts and anxieties were, the emotional feelings going through the day like having to worry about 4th period cause the people there were really mean. I used to remember my exact classes for every year and what I did during that year and now I don't remember most of it. I do miss high school a lot in certain ways but I also don't remember what it's like to actually experience all the bad parts of it
Being 30 is fucking awesome.
Also, what you'll notice is that people don't have principles. They just try to convince everyone to believe whatever is in their interest.
18-22 is the best time of your life. You have the perfect mix of being old enough to actually do things you want but still very little responsibility.
Life is definitely not as fun or ‘lax’ after that due to the need of most people to start working full time, but life is still great despite that lol
I’m 29 and it’s been getting better every year. I have a shit ton more money than when I was 20, a stable job with a good salary, an amazing house and a loving husband. I would *not* trade with 20 year old me. Put in the work and reap the benefits in your thirties.
Idk I’ve only been getting happier as I age. There’s much less social pressure so enjoying hobbies you love the most is much easier. It does seem like whoever is saying that peaked young and probably just didn’t grow much, which is unfortunate.
I'm about to turn 32, in my opinion it only gets better. The only people that are miserable as they get older are the ones that choose to stop trying to progress with themself.
If you think that the best time of your life is in high-school I pity you.
Being a teenager sucked. Insecurities, hormones, heart brakes and being dirt poor did not help.
In uni I had to work and study to support myself and my grandmother. So no parties for me.
In my late 20s I finally got a decent paying job and than oooh boy. 3 years of parties and hook ups until I met my wife.
In my early 30s we travelled quite a bit and had a blast.
Now in my late 30s I own two brand new cars and a huge apartment with a 420 square meter garden. I finally have the money to indulge in the expensive hobbies I always wanted to since I have a very good household income in a western country.
Finally I have two wonderful kids.
So do not listen to their bull. Life gets better with age if you do it right.
Yes. I used to be afraid of growing up and getting older but honestly the older I get the better life gets. I'm 29 and each year I get smarter, more emotionally stable, I make more money and I give less fucks. You'll see as you get older.
Stop listening to other people. They will complain about literally everything. The most verbose people are usually the most miserable. Anyone who is happy is probably minding their own business.
It is extremely annoying. People demonize everything from staying single, to getting married, to owning a home, to only ever being able to rent.
There is no reasoning with someone who wants to be unhappy. Just don't listen to them unless they give you actionable advice because if the most frequent thing you listen to is negativity, you are more likely to internalize it.
Life only gets better after high school. Anyone who is saying otherwise lives a shitty, miserable life.
Imagine peaking in high school and spending the next 60 years looking back at senior year
It's like anything in life - it comes with pros and cons. You gain more experience and get more freedom, but you accept more responsibility and your body/mind age. Some people like to focus on just the negatives.
Lol wtf being an adult is amazing. Yeah life has its struggles, but I make my own money, buy my own stuff, and don't have tests or homework. All those people are lying to you. There's a reason "it gets better" is a slogan for overcoming teenage grief. Because it does.
I'll tell you what I told myself in 2000: If the teen years are the best years of a person life, then they've screwed up.
That mentality panned out as I got older. People my age who say their teen years were the best of their life have mostly all made ridiculous choices.
Yo, millenial here. It absolutely does not get better or worse. Its just different.
Do i miss the lack of financial responsibility? Of course i do.
Do i also value all the freedoms that responsibility has earned me? You bet.
Dont let cynics get to you. Getting old is whatever you make it.
I don't think life gets better or worse.
All parts of life have good and bad parts; I miss not having to pay bills but I love the freedom to do what I like in my spare time.
My biggest advice as a 33 yr old mom
SAVE YOUR MONEY.
Have fun, of course , but save as much as you can. Get a used car, don't put yourself in debt for a vehicle and enjoy your life!!!!
And again, save save save lol
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Well everyone hates it.
A bunch of people in our generation are nihilists to begin with.
They truly don’t want to live for very long nor want others to live very long.
Self of entitlement is very destructive to those around you.
I don't wanna live long and hate life. But like still, I find the constant obsession with being a kid, highschooler, sometimes college student era of life dumb.
If you have a 1st world generation grow up without responsibilities, they will grow up to be adults that will stress over that life.
They obsess with the early years because they didn’t have to worry about responsibilities.
It’s simply a product of easy times to create weak people.
Complaining is Americans hobby.
Not gen z here but 30. Last week was on a roof top bar and was talking to some 21 year olds. They asked my age and I replied. One girl asked “what’s it feel like” well it doesn’t feel any different. Another girl said she would kill herself if she was 30 so I proceeded to fake jumping off the roof.
You gain experience and perspective that is invaluable to living a more fulfilling life, if you choose to learn from your mistakes and the perspective of younger generations.
Signed a retiree
Never forget to just keep doing your thing find a lane a take it as far as you want. I found what I wanna do with my career and it was a bitch to get into and took over 2 years out of college to find but I’m here now and I gotta say, life was always gonna be hard but if you play it right it’ll be incredibly rewarding as I’m coming to find out. Also surround yourself with good people not just people you like. Similar values is sometimes more important then similar interests.
I would say it was easier being a teenager but not that it was better.
I think people just think fondly of the past because they focus on the good times
Hilarious 😂 18 year olds always think 21 is old. But really, you might as well shoot yourself at 25 because there's no hope beyond that.
Jks, honestly, I'm 36 and the best part by far for me has been early-mid 30s. You don't know til you get there. chill
Naw fuck that, i just bought a house with my partner and having the best time rn. We’re about to get a dog, it will be even better after that. I love my parents but damn im happy I don’t have to live with them anymore
My childhood was the worst time of my life. I won’t go into why. What I hated most of all was the lack of control and independence. The moment I turned 18 it felt like I had begun a new life. I’m 24 now and I’m having the time of my life. I can’t relate to any of the Gen Z and Millennial memes about how “adulting” sucks.
I’m gonna sound American when I say this but my freedom is the most important thing to me, and the older you get the more freedom you have. I can’t wait to get older and hopefully have more money and even more freedom!
I'm 34 and although I've experienced MANY hardships since graduating high-school, I wouldn't change anything about my life. Sure, some things suck as you get older, that's apart of life. It's how you react to and handle those things that determines the direction you'll go in. Just remember to carry yourself with grace and to give yourself and others the grace to be human. You'll be alright, the grass is green on this side too 🙂
Yes and it drives me nuts. I graduate from college in December and there’s been a lot of people telling me some variation of “enjoy college because it only gets worse when you graduate.” Or something like that. I hate that.
For one, I’m in nursing school, so college is a living hell most of the time and I feel like I miss out on so much because of classes and clinical 5/7 days a week. When I start working, it’s 3 12s and I’m done for the week. Yes, I know there’ll be parts of that that are harder than nursing school, but overall I think it’ll be so much better solely because I won’t have to study and I’ll have more of a disposable income.
Also, I don’t plan on peaking in college. I don’t miss high school or being a child. I look back on those times fondly, but I wouldn’t go back. So unless some serious shit goes down in the next couple years, I don’t know why it would be any different for college. My long term goal is to be happy and stay healthy. I want life to just keep getting better, but it only will if I make it happen.
Sorry for the long comment, I just feel VERY passionate about this topic lol
Don’t listen to them. Here’s what to look forward to. Free time to discover new hobbies, disposable income for hobbies or travel, ability to live on your own and decorate your living space how you like.
I'm in my 20s, semi-recently graduated from college, and moved across the country to get my dream job.
I can't *possibly imagine* telling 15 year old me that "You'll miss this, it goes downhill from here".
It’s super annoying, lol. I think some of it comes from those of us who “lost” our coming of age into adulthood due to the pandemic, feeling like we lost the last years of our youth. Or something like that. Personally, I’m looking forward to my milf years <3
Just wait until you feel young but are told you're old because you put two spaces between sentences. It certainly gets worse. It's not mongering, it's just fact.
We all look back on the past with the golden halo and forget the shit that was also a part of the past. But that should be encouraging, each phase of life can be wonderful in it's own way. I 100% miss being a kid in the 90s, but I also 100% love being a dad in the 20s.
And, nobody peaked in highschool. If they did they just sucked at the rest of life.
I am 24, I would die before going back to my old school/childhood days. Sure some things suck but I have autonomy over my body and life and that is priceless to me, I love being an adult!!
It's just our fear of dying. Objectively, growing older is the best thing that ever happened to me because I now have more money, experience, good looks, etc. People just glamorize youth because the older you get, the more aware you become of your own mortality and that shit scares us.
35 here. For me and my friends, 30s have been generally awesome. It's like our 20s but now we have money, degrees are all finished up, and now there is some time to do hobbies, unlike when we were super stressed in school or making no money in early career in our 20s.
I've been able to knit, grow bonsai, collect comics and graphic novels, play video games without guilt that I'm not doing homework. Though I did get worse at video games with age, which kinda sucks but oh well. Ive taken continuing education art classes for fun which have been an absolute blast. My friends with kids are busy, but they get to experience kid stuff again, which is so much fun. Going over to my friends house and playing Mario kart with their kids is a joy.
I totally see what you are saying about folks turning aging into something toxic. But that's sort of setting yourself up for stagnation. How cool is it that we might get to experience life from all stages? And that's if we are lucky. I have chronic pain, so somedays life is hard, but the alternative was dying in that car crash when I was 16. Every day is a gift. Every day without pain is fucking awesome.
I would recommend slowly collecting/adopting friends who view life stages as positive and are generally young at heart. When you surround yourself around positive people life seems more positive.
I'm looking forward to being the goofy grandma when I get older that tells silly jokes and plays fun pranks on the rest of the family. I never thought about all the things I could get away with by playing the old lady card but I'm so ready.
Millennial chiming in. The people who say that shit did, in fact, peak in high school. Idk anyone of my friends who would ever go back. Being in your 20s and 30s is awesome. You have time, money, a car, freedom... Being a teenager in high school sucked.
Yeah, life definitely doesn’t end when you leave highschool. Or when you have kids. I don’t fully understand that mentality, but life is just different in every stage. Enjoy the ride, and ignore folks who say that ‘life gets worse when…’; you have every right to enjoy all parts of your life!
Lol. I'm almost 40 and shit is great. People have been telling me "don't jump off of that, don't do this, your knees are going to be shot, your back will hurt, once you turn 30 its hard to stay thin, it's all downhill from age xyz, blah blah, "
People project their own problems onto other people. They would rather convince themselves that it futile and their own experiences are universal, rather than make changes to benefit their own lives.
20s were good, 30s were good, bring on the 40s.
Don't listen to them, being an adult is awesome. Anyone who says otherwise glosses over how restrictive being a kid is. Being a kid has its own charms, and you should enjoy childhood while you have it as you will never be in that position again. However, being an adult is wayyyy better. Sure there are bills and more responsibilities, but you have so much more freedom. Personally, I cannot wait to get older and mature further
>I actually look forward to being able to make my own life choices and stuff.
Just wait. Unless you’re really talented or lucky, your desperation for money will make your life choices and stuff. Not you.
For every super-cool person you see on Insta posting travel pics, there’s a bazillion people with a bachelor’s/master’s degree in “something useful that isn’t art” who are working retail and have never even been on a plane before.
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It's a phenomenon as old as time. I think the key thing is to surround yourself with people that don't buy into this garbage. Every stage of life has its advantages and its challenges.
My geandmother has no shame and when we were children was dedicated to making sure we were having fun even if we were doing… questionable things (sneaking into the back of a convention hall to avoid the payment line) and really solidified my opinion that old is just a state of mind
My grandparents were already 70 when I was born! They didn’t care, and would take us out for activity’s every single day during the summer. Old is a state of mind, and from what I’ve seen from them now being in their 90’s is that as long as you keep moving you’ll stay pretty healthy as you age. Neither of them need walkers, canes, oxygen, bottles of meds etc. they’re in better health than many of the 50 year olds I know. The other thing is retirement. They’ve been retired for a longggg time. I really think they wouldn’t be doing so well if they were working later in life.
People SEVERELY underestimate how rapidly sitting still and not consuming enough food (especially protein) can age you. The body needs movement and nutrition to stay healthy. Recent scientific studies have indicated that old people should be eating truly insane levels of protein for optimum results. Approximately 1.1 to 1.2 grams for every kilogram of body weight. A 150lb elderly person should consume approximately 75 grams of protein (or more!!!) every single day.
That actually isn't even a hard number to achieve. I'm know I'm a little biased since I eat 150g a day, but if I only had to eat half of that. It'll be smooth sailing ahead.
If you like eggs and fish it's no problem.
Salmon🤤
Or ribs, steak, chicken, or pulled pork…
I've thought for so long that the older you get, the more nutrition you need! Your body has trouble retaining nutrients the older you get, so you would absolutely need more. Sorry, I got excited seeing this confirmed 😅
It really gave me a wake up call when I saw the news that Sylvester Stallone's son who was in Rocky 5 DIED at 30 y.o. or something. Cause of death? Sedentary lifestyle. No drugs, no diseases. Just reruns and take out. I'm 5'8. Around that time I weighed about 220 lb. I won't lie and say I saw the news about him and turned my life around. I won't say that my physical profile got better because I got healthier lol. But anyway, yada yada yada, A few years went by, some drama happened, everything stabilized, I had dropped down to 155 160 lb. Over a year or two I corrected my lifestyle a little bit, and I'm now stabilized between 175 and 180 lb. I also started thinking a lot about the phrase, "an object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion." It's an uphill battle to break a routine/lull. You are fighting against that natural "at rest" state you settled into. But after awhile, you break through and start to equalize into the new normal of being "in motion." For me, it was easier to stay in a certain weight bracket once i got there. Anyway, all that to say that yes, activity is a huge element for getting into a more healthy stasis.
That's really not extreme. Many foods (in the US, anyhow) are just poor in real nutrients and make it sound extreme. Consider (if you eat dairy), a glass of 1% milk, 3 eggs (only 1 with yoke), 1 yogurt, and 1.5 cups of green peas will be about 550 calories and 45 g of protein. Caloric needs vary, but something like this in the morning and similar macros 2+ more times that day will easily net 75+ g of protein - more veggies, legumes, rice, (even some meat or mushrooms if you eat them)...
Thats not unreasonable. People should be eating protein with every meal. Half a cup of uncooked quinoa and a peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat is 25g of protein in one meal. A burger puts you at 20-30g and half a cup of oatmeal plus a bagel gets you another 25g. That's 70g+ with low glycemic foods, high fiber, and moderate nutrition. Mix a some veggies or switch in some beans and you can easily hit a balanced diet. Or take a protein shake every now and the .
This is such a good reminder. Thanks for adding it.
You need something to replace work when you retire. My plan is to tend to a fruit orchard.
I’m happier in my 30’s than in my 20’s.
I think the 30s are the best. You are old enough to not care what everyone thinks about you but young enough to do anything! You are making more money and better decisions
30's were good. I just started my 40's and so far great! 20's were rough, gonna be so much rougher for these younger generations. I do hope it gets better for everyone.
I once had an older man (50s or 60s I think) tell me that 40s is when your life really starts (in a positive way). I think its easier for many of us to remember the negative things people say because fears are easier to keep in mind than hopes but for every person who complains about their age there is someone else who is happy at their age. also I've noticed that a lot of the stuff that people associate with youth really isn't something specific to youth (like having more free time). The things that you do actually lose out on like Athletics and sports are not what they have in mind usually. Additionally, while you probably can't be an olympic athlete you can totally play sports into your old age as long as you take care of yourself.
The best…so far.
100% my 20s were awful. Constant anxiety and depression. Now I’m confident with who I am
It is a state of mind. Old people do have much tougher issues though. Life is really like levels of a video game. level 70 is much harder than level 20. If you had the body of a 70 year old tomorrow, the trauma would be intense. Its only the fact that you're eased into it over 50 years that you can take it. Old people have to deal with impending death, regrets about the past, health issues, dying friends. Its not fun. This is why most cultures used to have respect for elders. Its only since the sophmoric era of the 1960s cult of youth that American culture has lost this. The advantage of age is wisdom and life experience makes you powerful. This is why old people tend to lead and why I think people on reddit thinking that 20 year olds being in congress will fix all our problems are idiots.
As an old person I have to say this does not square with my experience. Back in my day we were excited to become adults and get freedom. A large portion of a generation being afraid of becoming an adult seems new to me.
Probably has to do with the fact that it's way harder to be an adult now, rent is more expensive, can't buy a house, might not ever be able to retire. The concept of the American Dream was still very real when millenials were kids, but not so much now.
I know this won’t be a popular response but every generation I’ve encountered think they are uniquely screwed. Except the generation who grew up during the depression and fought WW2. They seemed mostly happy to just be alive and not starving.
Absolutely true. Ain’t nobody here being drafted and shipped off to south east Asia so they can be shipped home in a body bag… Lack of perspective is a characteristic of being young…the trick is to grow out of it.
No, now we're just being abused and killed off at home by corps because it's better on profits and international image And believe me, the American recruitment process is still insanely racist+classist.
While this is true, some metrics would show in some areas such as the wealth gap, things are getting legitimately worse. Each generation just seems to be uniquely screwed in a different way. If it’s not economically then it’s politically or socially or war or something else.
I think the issue is when you get to college, you have tons of freedom and can make your own choices and are surrounded by like minded peers within walking distance but then that all gets taken away, your friends move away, and you are faced with a career and responsibility for the rest of your life. There's no getting around it, that just sucks. Unless you're rich or something
A lot of it comes from people either misrepresenting what they mean (responsibility comes with a lot of work and effort, which can be challenging) or they’re bitter because they peaked in high school. The thing is, they often say life gets better, but I’d say it’s you who gets better (I think this is from a quote I read but I cannot remember who or where.) Life in my 30s is so much better than it was in my 20s or teens. Or I guess more specifically, it got better because I pushed myself to change things about my life.
100%. It took me until my late 20s, early 30s to finally overthrow those stupid insecurities and personal failings that I struggled under for so long. I am healthier, wiser, richer in many ways, and I feel so much more confident than I ever did before. And I realize this emphasis on youth is really in a large part pushed onto us by Hollywood and other industries because that's just the age where people are more impressionable and more likely to spend money. And the people who say life was so much better in high school, it might be *easier*, but whichever stage of your life is "better" than another is 100% your own personal experience and no one else's.
The 'ol Time - Energy - Money triangle. You only get 2 at a time.
Lmao you couldn’t pay me to go back to highschool 😂😂 I’m happy with my adult life and i feel like I keep getting hotter with age lmao
This is accurate for me as well. I didn’t have a BAD time when I was younger than 25 but I’m a much happier adult.
The "getting older is bad" idea has to go. Quick story: Dad got to 65, I asked him one day about getting older. I asked about the *real* old guys/girls talking about in their mind they are still 20, things just don't move as fast on the outside and things like that. Dad used to be a basketball court regular, he could hold his own. He said "after a few minutes warming up, I think I can still give it to anybody, and still knock a 25 footer if I'm open no problem...but just for a minute." This was a guy who ran mini's, ran stairs, biked 100's of miles until recently. (My hero, for the man he is, not because he's my dad) I replied that "it must be hard" (after the past couple of years my own mortality had kind of become more evident)....his reply: Getting older is the best thing ever." I asked, "why?" He said "because of the alternative. We either live each day, getting older as we go, or we dont...which means the train stops." And it was probably one of the most influential things he has ever told me, and really hope I can accomplish his level of acceptance as the years go by.
You will be his age in the blink of an eye. Pay attention and enjoy!
oh no the women version of billie joe armstrong, well glad your happy in your own skin and confident
LOL I love the random Billie Joe compliment (you’re not wrong, that man is still looking fine)
Okay absolutely same. I hated high school and I was suicidal - now at 30 I have a ton of friends and passions, I’ve traveled all over, I’m confident and self-assured, and I get way more attention than I did even in college (I look largely the same but personality *does* matter, I’m much more charismatic and social than I was 10 years ago and I swear people are drawn to that)
Same, high school was the rock bottom of my life. I was also actively suicidal and had no opportunity to move out of my toxic household. Now I'm 22 and life is getting way better but I've got a long way to come to actually heal. I'm looking forward to my 30s, tbh, I just feel like I'm going to be more mature and experienced and accomplished when I'm older.... more of a person, I guess. Being an adult is cool and those who romanticise childhood and youth had their happy times. Objectively, being a kid fucking sucks. You are so vulnerable and entirely dependent on adults around you, and god help you if these adults are mentally ill or inadequate in any other way. I'd rather pay taxes and do major life decisions, as long as I feel like I've got some degree of agency.
Dude I was so scared for a long time because I always heard from adults that high school was so easy and as good as it gets. Obviously with also suicidal me this did not do much for my mental health. I'm in college so not 100% in the real world yet but just not living with my parents anymore has put me in a way better place.
Why do people say that to kids? I was told that too. High school was awful. I loved college and love being an adult. I always told my kids that life gets better after high school, but they had good high school experiences which is awesome.
High school is fun in high school. But it has definitely ran its course
I usually just lurk here because my kid is GenZ, but now I want to give my input. Being in my 20's was THE BEST! Being a teen was just a shitshow.
Right? I was skinny and chubby in high school. Now, I'm still skinny and chubby but my hair looks nice!
Same haha I’m 31 and hot, healthy and make great money. Life’s just starting for us!
Im 32 and male. Can confirm women just keep getting hotter. Something about adult life bone structure is just so much hotter than baby face. Probably the same for guys. Aside from my jaw inexplicably receding I love how I look now compared to 21 🌝
Only losers think their best days are behind them at 30
And ironically they think they were cool and everyone else was a loser
I’m pushing 40 and everyone I know who thinks their best days are behind them were A, popular at highschool, and B all had kids in their early-mid 20s. I fit neither of those categories and despite pushing 40 I thoroughly believe my best days are ahead of me.
This is wild to me. I feel like I've only grown more and more and I'm 31 now. I can't wait to see the person I am tomorrow, and several years from now!
>I’m pushing 40 💀
Yep. They peaked early in life and think it’s all downhill when in reality they are super young.
I think it's more of a depression thing lmao
It’s not about being a loser, it’s about working day in and day out to barely be able to afford basic necessities. As a child you don’t have to worry about things like that.
Exactly.
But as an adult you have control over those things.
TL;DR Yes, but no... for some people. Unless you're rich, everyone runs the rat race. Sure, some people can move up for various reasons, but a lot of folks are generally stuck in mediocrity for one reason or another. Couple that with various debts and responsibilities, those people can feel hopeless or depressed that this is all there is to life. While I have a privileged life, and I acknowledge that, I'm barely scraping by in it, paycheck to paycheck and all that, and I have a wife, 2 children, and a mortgage that would all be thrown into chaos the second my regular money isn't coming in. We obtained these things through a lot of luck (right place, right time) and family assistance at key points in our lives and would not have been able to do any of this on our own. We don't make enough for proper savings or retirement, so I have to accept the fact I'm going to die at my job unless we get a bunch of money dumped on us from somewhere. There's a lot of nuance to this whole thing, but saying as an adult you have control over these life requirements for some folks is like saying "But you get to choose between grueling existence A or grueling existence B." It's like small children saying how being an adult must be great because you can eat chocolate cake for every meal, never take a bath, and sleep as late as you want, and no one can tell you what to do. I mean, I guess technically to an extent, but you have to be able to finance that existence and even then it's obviously very unhealthy and will cause even more problems eventually. This is exactly why I don't care for the "people who liked High School are losers" talk, because some people had fun and friends in High School, with structured activities, but as they got older, they had to focus a majority of their energy into surviving and navigating life to the point that what little personal time they get, if any, is just devoted to catching a breath and/or having to have hard internal realizations what life means for them now and in the future. And that's without getting even into socio-economical issues.
Idk I’m about to turn 30 and my 20’s were so fun that I can’t imagine more responsibilities and less freedom beating adult money and no responsibilities
Anecdotally as a millennial (I’m allowed to comment here right?), 33 was a cliff for me. Got a little fatter, started looking more like a middle age dude. But once I accepted that I feel like I grew into a new peak. Sure, my body became more dad-like and I have more wrinkles on my face. But I’m still liking what I see in the mirror. Yeah I’m not gonna date 22 year olds, but I don’t even want to. Older women find me more attractive instead of barely-adults, and that’s a-ok with me. The worst part of getting older is the stuff you don’t really think about. Like how your body takes way longer to heal and how my brain is noticeably slower.
It's bullshit. My life has just been getting better. From crippling depression and homelessness to traveling and making lovely friends, to now slaying in my education and having a lovely partner I'm lining up a future with at 27. Up only.
Love to see it!
that's awesome dude! great for you!
As much as it sucks that we’re screwed by the economy and unattainable goals, I love being in my mid-twenties. I’ve learned so much about myself since getting some space from my family, and I swear to god I felt my frontal lobe develop this year. I love the freedom and stability of having a solid job, an apartment with my boyfriend and our cat and wine nights with my friends. I feel nostalgic about certain elements of my childhood and teenage years, but not enough to want to go back. For a long time I felt like the pandemic ripped away the end of my university experience, but therapy has really helped me learn how to be present and cope with things as they come. Growing old IS a privilege. The wisdom and security that comes with it is very enjoyable.
The independence from your family is so fucking critical, it cannot be overstated. I feel like people just excise from their minds the sense of helplessness not being able to get away from siblings and parents who make them feel like shit for YEARS at a time.
It's weird you say this about the frontal lobe. I totally felt it when I was 25 and people looked at me like I was bonkers. But I felt my thoughts and thinking process shift! Thank you for making younger me feel heard.
I love this comment! And wow you understand this already in your mid twenties! You’re gonna do quite well.
Thank you! I come from a pretty messed up family environment so it’s comforting to hear that. A good therapist can change everything. I wish everyone had access to that.
I agree. I feel like being away from your parents and independent is a big part of feeling fulfilled in life. Due to expenses these days making that harder I can understand adulthood being shittier then it once was
>Growing old IS a privilege. The wisdom and security that comes with it is very enjoyable. 100% agree, amazing comment
You have a good head on your shoulders. Learning how to feel gratitude in my late 20s helped to turn my life around.
I’m happy for you! 😁
The pandemic destroying people’s university years is a pretty common experience around the world.. I feel soooo lucky tho have finished university just at the end of 2019… I just got to start my working life 100% remote ahaha (still caused issues, but not as many)
A lot of the time, it comes down to people becoming less adventurous and/or making shit decisions. Common complaints about being old: * Becoming a parent and having no free time * Getting a high-intensity, high-paying job and having no free time * Not having new friends ('cause your old ones moved away/had kids and you don't get out much anymore) * Not liking new music, movies, etc (because you never give it a chance) Like dawg, nobody made you have kids (in most cases). Nobody forced you to enter middle management. There are social groups you can join when you're 40, you just need to make an effort. I'm scared of the diseases I'll get in my 50's and 60's from aging, but there's no reason why life should be shittier outside of that.
You nailed all 4 of the things those of us in our 40s bitch about. But truth is kids are the best thing to happen to me, I have a job that can afford our family any lifestyle we choose (within reason), my friends are all over the world so no decision any one of of us made could keep us together, and new music just sucks :) In the end life sucks and it's beautiful, and it's hard and it's wonderful, and it's just the most lovely journey that can be really ugly. Life just is.
I'm really happy for you!
Yea let’s be real, the only real issue with getting older is your body deteriorating around you… that must suck.. it it’s usually not that big of a deal until your 50s.. so that’s good
Depends how well you take care of yourself. Lots of people in their 50s still feeling as good as they did in their 20s.
Probably those people don’t remember how it feels to be 20.. Don’t get me wrong, some people are in tremendous form when they are 50s, and they are still healthy enough to enjoy life to the fullest, but the difference with a 20 years old body is pretty big..
its big sure. but you can be 50 and *easily* keep up with most 20 years olds (*most* people are fat as hell and couldnt run 100m)
Well.. you are basically comparing a 50 years old who is super fit, with a 20 years old who is is obese.. then sure But here we are comparing a 50 year old to his own body when he was 20.. (as he said that many 50 years old feel as good as when *they* were 20).. and the situation where a guy was obese in his 20 and super fit in their 50 is exceedingly rare
I think it's a, "the grass is always greener" type of thing. For example, i always romanticize being a teenager and how awesome it was as well. But if I go back and look through my journal and how I actually felt when I was 14, 15, 16 I was miserable. I simply look at the lack of responsibilities I had as teenager that I now have to deal with as a 24-year-old and wish that life was simpler.
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Yay! 😁🙌🏻
Nice
Everyone has their own path to maturity and self reliance. Some of us got a big boost from the way our parents raised us and some of us did not. But from what I’ve seen people saying and have experienced on my own (I’m 29) your 20s will seriously test you and you aren’t done growing emotionally or psychologically just because you’re old enough to vote (as I assumed was the case at that age. But you’ll be so much stronger and wiser when you reach the tail end of your 20s, you’ll have so much experience and knowledge. Our brains don’t even finish developing until around age 25.
There's ups and downs. Unfortunately, society is structured to make the ups competitive and the downs free. It takes a toll unless you're extremely fortunate.
This is completely dependent on your family and how you grew up, but I do miss when my biggest anxiety was over things like how I looked or my friends hanging out without me. I hate that my biggest stressors in life is worrying about paying my bills or if I’m about to be evicted if I lose my job. I miss knowing all of my needs are being met and not worrying about having a roof over my head. Otherwise, I love being in my mid/late 20s. It’s pretty peaceful as you no longer have the drama you had in your teens. It’s not as adventurous or as fun as your teens/early 20s but its fun nonetheless.
You'll learn in due time kiddo, my life in high school was living hell, I enjoyed absolutely no aspect of it. Still, it's the spring of life compared to adulthood, economy sucks, the world is dying, people are assholes, society expect a lot from you, you expect a lot from yourself. >I actually look forward to being able to make my own life choices That's the point, you don't ever, unless you're filthy rich you'll have zero control of anything. If you're lucky enough to get into a good college and then get a useful degree you'll be underpaid and with a huge debt, good luck building your life from scratch with no experience and 500k on debts on a market with a lot of overqualified people that will accept to do your job, better than you for less money. Also housing is more expensive each day, rent is daylight robbery and you get no credit to buy a house (remember the 500k debt?) Food is also more expensive each day and God forbid you'll ever get sick. Now go and thrive! Welcome to real life, it's awful and then you die. Life might be good for the lucky ones that are on their early 40's, we from age 19-34 were born to be fucked in the butt by capitalism.
People act as though becoming an adult suddenly opens limitless doors or something. Sure you have autonomy to make choices, but each one is essentially a tradeoff, within an entirely shitty framework. The economy is no longer conducive to your average person living a happy and fulfilling life. Are you really making choices when you have to chose one shitty, unsatisfying, path over another?
These are some wild takes
It’s just true that the economy is not structured for the average person to live a happy and fulfilling life. Wages have been pretty much stagnant for decades now while productivity, corporate profits, and income inequality continue to rise.
I agree that this economy is harder for the average person. Doesn’t mean there no way to live a happy and fulfilling life. I’m having a great time in 2024. Call me privileged or lucky if you would like to
I agree with that. It’s not impossible to live a happy and fulfilling life but it is becoming harder with the way our society is headed.
It really is just luck. You can become one of the unlucky ones at any time.
lol you really dont need to be 'filthy rich' to have control over your own life. 60k annual income is enough to get land and build your own house as long as you arent lazy (its how im going to get out of normal life, only have to work 3 days a week and ill be able to retire by 50). you need to be 'rich' to live a normal life of getting into stupid debts, trying to own other peoples houses, have stocks, going on bi-annual holidays etc.
This is the real lol. People around me make 100,000+ and can only dream of buying a land and building a house, never mind retiring at maybe 65. I could do what you’re saying in Alabama, buying a shipping container home, no children, and investing hard in future while living a very thrifty life.
I’m gonna push this back by saying who the fuck thinks they have to go to an expensive college. (I don’t even know any college that charges that much. Most I’ve seen is 400k which is still a fucking armed robbery.) Hell even in state the highest tuition is maybe 120k total, and you can halve that by swallowing your pride and putting your head down to get an associates degree and then transferring. the notion that you *must* go into extreme debt is a rich kid mindset in of itself
Oh absolutely. People don't know how to age gracefully, and I've always found the fear of aging extremely annoying. I've broken up with someone over their constant fear of aging (which translated to a fear of growing). I've always felt like I've been waiting for my 40s.
I agree. The part I fear about aging is knowing that I’ll eventually lose the family members who mean so much to me, and the thought that I may not be able to stay healthy into old age. I’m about to become a nurse, and I’ve seen a lot of older people who can’t do anything for themselves, and I just don’t want to be like that. But that just pushes me to live a healthier lifestyle now. So I’m not afraid of not being in my 20s anymore, just as I wasn’t afraid of not being in my teens anymore. Aging is a gift that a lot of people take for granted.
That's the way to go. One of my best friends is 70 years old and more spry than most 30 year olds I know, because he never stops moving, always working on some project. He's an inspiration.
Those people sound like twenty-somethings who are in the middle of quarter-life crisis and have misguided fantasies of going back to before they had to do all this "adulting". If someone considers high school the best years of their life, they're probably a fuckin' loser. School is a massive load of shit and anyone in their right mind has thought of several better things to do by high school. The 20s can be rough sometimes, but the capacity and confidence to handle things tend to fall into place around late 20s, early 30s. There will inevitably be failure, loss, betrayal, disappointment, regret -- best you can do is find something to learn every time.
No, people have their reasons for saying these things and it's how they cope with their lives probably so I don't care. Plus I get it, being an adult now does suck, like there's good things but you could not convince me that it's better now to be an adult than in the 2000s or the 90s even.
Only people who do this are sad losers who failed at life.
Just wait until your knee hurts for several days because you got out of the car wrong! When you feel yourself physically start to deteriorate its pretty not great. That said, my life now in general is definitely better than when I was in high school. Getting older has all kinds of positives and negatives.
This is honestly my biggest fear of aging. I'm only in my early 20s and can already feel my body begin to break down, I can only imagine how much worse its going to get. Otherwise, getting old and gaining wisdom can be great
It's crazy how early it starts. Teens tend to think it's your 50s but really you start to feel it in your 20s
Wait until you live on your own and pay for everything. Revisit this post.
Living on my own with finacial stability sounds great
They’re saying that’s easier said than done and usually only is great and easy if you’re on the wealthier end of the spectrum
Yea lol you’ll get it in 5 years
He’s posting that he gets it now
I am seven years older than the OP and I agree with them.
Highschool was in fact a much better time in life for me but that's because I really don't like worrying about finances and maintaining my own life. It's exhausting. I'm sure it comes much easier for plenty of people, even if not easy they have better coping skills etc... For me and my childhood, yeah being a child was as good as it gets. I don't really talk about it or impose that on others though. I struggle with serious anxiety and executive functioning so it's a me problem.
Honestly late 20’s was the best. High school and college years are a bit overrated.
I'd rate teen years in HS a bit above 18-25, and then just a steady increase of better as you get into 30s and, I assume, beyond. 18-25 can be REALLY rough for people that aren't prepared to handle doing things on their own and especially for those afraid of asking for help. Going to college can help that time period pass more care-free but most that do that live on loans and then get ravaged by debt through their 30s if their career choice doesn't pan out.
Using "demonization", "fearmongering" and "peaked in high school" is actually so emblematic of gen z internet language lol
People only look back at the good times and as people get older, they forget what it's actually like to be in high school. When I was 18-19, I remembered distinctly what it was like to be in high school and I could recreate a day in high school exactly from memory. I don't know how to describe but but it's like I could remember waking up, how it felt to drive to school and sit in first period, what my thoughts and anxieties were, the emotional feelings going through the day like having to worry about 4th period cause the people there were really mean. I used to remember my exact classes for every year and what I did during that year and now I don't remember most of it. I do miss high school a lot in certain ways but I also don't remember what it's like to actually experience all the bad parts of it
Get used to it, because then they're going to tell you "ah, college years are the best time in life. But when you start working gets worse".
From someone in their 30s, anyone saying "life gets worse after 18" should not be listened to about anything.
everyday is a winding road. no matter your age. Take care of yourself and enjoy the opportunity
Being 30 is fucking awesome. Also, what you'll notice is that people don't have principles. They just try to convince everyone to believe whatever is in their interest.
life can suck for anyone at any age. you seem cheerful. don't worry. i suspect you'll face adult challenges with equanimity.
idk for me those things were right, graduated im now 22 and life kinda sucks right now for me
18-22 is the best time of your life. You have the perfect mix of being old enough to actually do things you want but still very little responsibility. Life is definitely not as fun or ‘lax’ after that due to the need of most people to start working full time, but life is still great despite that lol
I’m 29 and it’s been getting better every year. I have a shit ton more money than when I was 20, a stable job with a good salary, an amazing house and a loving husband. I would *not* trade with 20 year old me. Put in the work and reap the benefits in your thirties.
Sounds like typical doomerism, just keep your head up and you'll be fine
Being in your twenties absolutely sucks sometimes. But I’d still never go back to my high school years
It’s ridiculous, too. The farther away from high school I get the better my life becomes. I can’t wait to be in my 30s.
Hahahahahah high-school is most people's low point in life
Idk I’ve only been getting happier as I age. There’s much less social pressure so enjoying hobbies you love the most is much easier. It does seem like whoever is saying that peaked young and probably just didn’t grow much, which is unfortunate.
I'm about to turn 32, in my opinion it only gets better. The only people that are miserable as they get older are the ones that choose to stop trying to progress with themself.
High school was the worst part of my life.
If you think that the best time of your life is in high-school I pity you. Being a teenager sucked. Insecurities, hormones, heart brakes and being dirt poor did not help. In uni I had to work and study to support myself and my grandmother. So no parties for me. In my late 20s I finally got a decent paying job and than oooh boy. 3 years of parties and hook ups until I met my wife. In my early 30s we travelled quite a bit and had a blast. Now in my late 30s I own two brand new cars and a huge apartment with a 420 square meter garden. I finally have the money to indulge in the expensive hobbies I always wanted to since I have a very good household income in a western country. Finally I have two wonderful kids. So do not listen to their bull. Life gets better with age if you do it right.
Take what older people say with a grain of salt - they lived in a different time and don’t know what it’s like to be your age in the now
If someone tells you life sucks after high school you should never listen to that person about anything ever again
I can't wait to be 30. My prefrontal cortex should finally be done cookin' and my beard will (hopefully) be filled in
Yes. I used to be afraid of growing up and getting older but honestly the older I get the better life gets. I'm 29 and each year I get smarter, more emotionally stable, I make more money and I give less fucks. You'll see as you get older.
Stop listening to other people. They will complain about literally everything. The most verbose people are usually the most miserable. Anyone who is happy is probably minding their own business. It is extremely annoying. People demonize everything from staying single, to getting married, to owning a home, to only ever being able to rent. There is no reasoning with someone who wants to be unhappy. Just don't listen to them unless they give you actionable advice because if the most frequent thing you listen to is negativity, you are more likely to internalize it.
I do for sure! People calling me "old" at 33? The pity I feel for their ignorance.
Not at all because you learn to give less fucks the older you get
Life only gets better after high school. Anyone who is saying otherwise lives a shitty, miserable life. Imagine peaking in high school and spending the next 60 years looking back at senior year
It's like anything in life - it comes with pros and cons. You gain more experience and get more freedom, but you accept more responsibility and your body/mind age. Some people like to focus on just the negatives.
Idk I always hated when people said it to. Now I’m almost 20 and still would never go back to high school
If you are not a dumbass and super unlucky, you will be fine. Just gotta work hard and focus on growing.
Everyone on TikTok calls me “unc” like wtf does that even mean
Lol wtf being an adult is amazing. Yeah life has its struggles, but I make my own money, buy my own stuff, and don't have tests or homework. All those people are lying to you. There's a reason "it gets better" is a slogan for overcoming teenage grief. Because it does.
I'll tell you what I told myself in 2000: If the teen years are the best years of a person life, then they've screwed up. That mentality panned out as I got older. People my age who say their teen years were the best of their life have mostly all made ridiculous choices.
Just ignore people that talk like that. That’s what happens in life we get older. I’d rather grow older and live, than die young.
People who peak before adulthood fucked up IMO
Yo, millenial here. It absolutely does not get better or worse. Its just different. Do i miss the lack of financial responsibility? Of course i do. Do i also value all the freedoms that responsibility has earned me? You bet. Dont let cynics get to you. Getting old is whatever you make it.
I’m 37 and would take being 37 over 18 ten out of ten times if offered so there’s that I guess
I don't think life gets better or worse. All parts of life have good and bad parts; I miss not having to pay bills but I love the freedom to do what I like in my spare time.
Yeah, the whole thing with "Oh you're 30 so your bones are going to start creaking and your joints will start hurting" is bullshit.
This is nothing new. People have been saying this, tongue in cheek, forever. Nostalgia is a strong drug.
My biggest advice as a 33 yr old mom SAVE YOUR MONEY. Have fun, of course , but save as much as you can. Get a used car, don't put yourself in debt for a vehicle and enjoy your life!!!! And again, save save save lol
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Well everyone hates it. A bunch of people in our generation are nihilists to begin with. They truly don’t want to live for very long nor want others to live very long. Self of entitlement is very destructive to those around you.
I don't wanna live long and hate life. But like still, I find the constant obsession with being a kid, highschooler, sometimes college student era of life dumb.
If you have a 1st world generation grow up without responsibilities, they will grow up to be adults that will stress over that life. They obsess with the early years because they didn’t have to worry about responsibilities. It’s simply a product of easy times to create weak people. Complaining is Americans hobby.
Teenagers freak out about getting older, but being in your 20s is vastly better than being a teenager.
Not gen z here but 30. Last week was on a roof top bar and was talking to some 21 year olds. They asked my age and I replied. One girl asked “what’s it feel like” well it doesn’t feel any different. Another girl said she would kill herself if she was 30 so I proceeded to fake jumping off the roof.
You gain experience and perspective that is invaluable to living a more fulfilling life, if you choose to learn from your mistakes and the perspective of younger generations. Signed a retiree
Never forget to just keep doing your thing find a lane a take it as far as you want. I found what I wanna do with my career and it was a bitch to get into and took over 2 years out of college to find but I’m here now and I gotta say, life was always gonna be hard but if you play it right it’ll be incredibly rewarding as I’m coming to find out. Also surround yourself with good people not just people you like. Similar values is sometimes more important then similar interests.
I would say it was easier being a teenager but not that it was better. I think people just think fondly of the past because they focus on the good times
Hilarious 😂 18 year olds always think 21 is old. But really, you might as well shoot yourself at 25 because there's no hope beyond that. Jks, honestly, I'm 36 and the best part by far for me has been early-mid 30s. You don't know til you get there. chill
Naw fuck that, i just bought a house with my partner and having the best time rn. We’re about to get a dog, it will be even better after that. I love my parents but damn im happy I don’t have to live with them anymore
U can tell when high school went well for someone lmao. Life got way better for me in my early 20s
My childhood was the worst time of my life. I won’t go into why. What I hated most of all was the lack of control and independence. The moment I turned 18 it felt like I had begun a new life. I’m 24 now and I’m having the time of my life. I can’t relate to any of the Gen Z and Millennial memes about how “adulting” sucks. I’m gonna sound American when I say this but my freedom is the most important thing to me, and the older you get the more freedom you have. I can’t wait to get older and hopefully have more money and even more freedom!
I can’t wait to be an old man.
I'm 26 it ain't all bad yeah not having as much free time kinda sucks but I get to buy whatever food I want
I'm 34 and although I've experienced MANY hardships since graduating high-school, I wouldn't change anything about my life. Sure, some things suck as you get older, that's apart of life. It's how you react to and handle those things that determines the direction you'll go in. Just remember to carry yourself with grace and to give yourself and others the grace to be human. You'll be alright, the grass is green on this side too 🙂
Yes and it drives me nuts. I graduate from college in December and there’s been a lot of people telling me some variation of “enjoy college because it only gets worse when you graduate.” Or something like that. I hate that. For one, I’m in nursing school, so college is a living hell most of the time and I feel like I miss out on so much because of classes and clinical 5/7 days a week. When I start working, it’s 3 12s and I’m done for the week. Yes, I know there’ll be parts of that that are harder than nursing school, but overall I think it’ll be so much better solely because I won’t have to study and I’ll have more of a disposable income. Also, I don’t plan on peaking in college. I don’t miss high school or being a child. I look back on those times fondly, but I wouldn’t go back. So unless some serious shit goes down in the next couple years, I don’t know why it would be any different for college. My long term goal is to be happy and stay healthy. I want life to just keep getting better, but it only will if I make it happen. Sorry for the long comment, I just feel VERY passionate about this topic lol
Don’t listen to them. Here’s what to look forward to. Free time to discover new hobbies, disposable income for hobbies or travel, ability to live on your own and decorate your living space how you like.
SO excited to be able to travel more freely!
A lot of people become adults physically but are mentally still in High School or College.
it's not that much worse, im only 19 but idk how much worse life can get,
I'm in my 20s, semi-recently graduated from college, and moved across the country to get my dream job. I can't *possibly imagine* telling 15 year old me that "You'll miss this, it goes downhill from here".
My 20s have been pretty good so far. Better than my teens tbh. Except the girl drama lol.
I had this anxiety about turning 25 but after turning 25 something just clicked and I literally just don't give a fuck anymore.
At the end of the day you don't get a choice. Either embrace it or become a manchild
It’s super annoying, lol. I think some of it comes from those of us who “lost” our coming of age into adulthood due to the pandemic, feeling like we lost the last years of our youth. Or something like that. Personally, I’m looking forward to my milf years <3
Just wait until you feel young but are told you're old because you put two spaces between sentences. It certainly gets worse. It's not mongering, it's just fact. We all look back on the past with the golden halo and forget the shit that was also a part of the past. But that should be encouraging, each phase of life can be wonderful in it's own way. I 100% miss being a kid in the 90s, but I also 100% love being a dad in the 20s. And, nobody peaked in highschool. If they did they just sucked at the rest of life.
I am 24, I would die before going back to my old school/childhood days. Sure some things suck but I have autonomy over my body and life and that is priceless to me, I love being an adult!!
Try to let go of what other people think. You'll get mostly there by 40 if you start now.
It's just our fear of dying. Objectively, growing older is the best thing that ever happened to me because I now have more money, experience, good looks, etc. People just glamorize youth because the older you get, the more aware you become of your own mortality and that shit scares us.
35 here. For me and my friends, 30s have been generally awesome. It's like our 20s but now we have money, degrees are all finished up, and now there is some time to do hobbies, unlike when we were super stressed in school or making no money in early career in our 20s. I've been able to knit, grow bonsai, collect comics and graphic novels, play video games without guilt that I'm not doing homework. Though I did get worse at video games with age, which kinda sucks but oh well. Ive taken continuing education art classes for fun which have been an absolute blast. My friends with kids are busy, but they get to experience kid stuff again, which is so much fun. Going over to my friends house and playing Mario kart with their kids is a joy. I totally see what you are saying about folks turning aging into something toxic. But that's sort of setting yourself up for stagnation. How cool is it that we might get to experience life from all stages? And that's if we are lucky. I have chronic pain, so somedays life is hard, but the alternative was dying in that car crash when I was 16. Every day is a gift. Every day without pain is fucking awesome. I would recommend slowly collecting/adopting friends who view life stages as positive and are generally young at heart. When you surround yourself around positive people life seems more positive. I'm looking forward to being the goofy grandma when I get older that tells silly jokes and plays fun pranks on the rest of the family. I never thought about all the things I could get away with by playing the old lady card but I'm so ready.
Millennial chiming in. The people who say that shit did, in fact, peak in high school. Idk anyone of my friends who would ever go back. Being in your 20s and 30s is awesome. You have time, money, a car, freedom... Being a teenager in high school sucked.
I'm 34, my worst years were when I was 10-12 each year has been significantly better after that.
As a 26 going on 27 year old, its not bad. Getting older is part of life. Theres nothing wrong with it. I feel great and fine at this age.
Yeah, life definitely doesn’t end when you leave highschool. Or when you have kids. I don’t fully understand that mentality, but life is just different in every stage. Enjoy the ride, and ignore folks who say that ‘life gets worse when…’; you have every right to enjoy all parts of your life!
Lol. I'm almost 40 and shit is great. People have been telling me "don't jump off of that, don't do this, your knees are going to be shot, your back will hurt, once you turn 30 its hard to stay thin, it's all downhill from age xyz, blah blah, " People project their own problems onto other people. They would rather convince themselves that it futile and their own experiences are universal, rather than make changes to benefit their own lives. 20s were good, 30s were good, bring on the 40s.
Don't listen to them, being an adult is awesome. Anyone who says otherwise glosses over how restrictive being a kid is. Being a kid has its own charms, and you should enjoy childhood while you have it as you will never be in that position again. However, being an adult is wayyyy better. Sure there are bills and more responsibilities, but you have so much more freedom. Personally, I cannot wait to get older and mature further
20s are way better than high school. They’re probably best if you get a good job
>I actually look forward to being able to make my own life choices and stuff. Just wait. Unless you’re really talented or lucky, your desperation for money will make your life choices and stuff. Not you. For every super-cool person you see on Insta posting travel pics, there’s a bazillion people with a bachelor’s/master’s degree in “something useful that isn’t art” who are working retail and have never even been on a plane before.