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Aging is a natural part of life—but we don’t necessarily have to look or feel our age. If you’re taking care of your body and mind, and have an active social life, then you probably feel on top of the world. However, even small reminders can shock you that you’re actually living in the year 20XX. Like someone pointing out that we’re closer to the year 2050 than 1995…
Redditor u/Halloween-365 served up a big dose of reality when they asked the internet to share all the things that make them feel old as heck. We’ve collected their answers to share with you, Pandas. Read on to check them out. Warning: Apparently, there are some inconsiderate youngsters who think that Harry Potter is an ‘old people thing,’ so just keep that in mind so you don’t faint, Pandas!
Bored Panda got in touch with Alan Castel, Ph.D., a UCLA psychology professor and the author of 'Better with Age: The Psychology of Successful Aging.' He shed some light on the shock that people feel when they realize that they're getting older, and shared his thoughts on why some people have a different sense of the passing of time.
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#1
Having to scroll and scroll and fecking scroll to find my birth year when completing an online form
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#2
I recently stopped smoking… one of the lasses I work with asked how long I’d smoked for. She’s 21 and I’d smoked longer than she’d been alive :/ Positive news 3 weeks without a cigarette
#3
The 90s wasn't actually ten years ago.
Bored Panda wanted to get to grips with the fact that some people are shocked when they slow down and suddenly realize how old they actually are. Dr. Castel, from UCLA, shared his thoughts on this.
"It can sometimes come as a surprise when we notice some effects of aging, and often this coincides with life events such as having children, grey hairs, or the need to go to bed earlier," he told us via email.
"However, we can also interpret these changes as important milestones and stages in life that we adapt to (and enjoy) by focusing on what is most important, such as family, friends, staying active, and being involved in what interests us the most, especially when we become more aware that time is limited," the psychology professor said.
#4
I make a noise when I sit down/get up
#5
TikTok. I'm too old for this s**t.
#6
The fact that we're closer to 2050 than we are to 1995.
In the meantime, we wanted to get the professor's thoughts on why some people may have a slightly warped perception of time, e.g. believing that the year 2000 was merely 10 years ago or being unable to fathom how it's already 2023 (hi!).
"It can often feel that time passes quickly, and that many older adults might remember dated events as feeling more recent," Dr. Castel, the author of 'Better with Age,' told us.
"This shows that our sense of time isn't always linear, and this might be because our memory provides a biased representation of the past," he explained.
"Sometimes more memorable life events become better consolidated and frequently retrieved, making them feel like they were not that long ago."
#7
I tried to pull something remotely similar to an all nighter recently and got about 3 hours of sleep.
I want to die.
#8
When people say, "30 years ago", and they mean the 1990s, not the 1960s.
AndThenICommented 2 years ago
30 years ago doesn’t seem so long ago now too. The 60’s felt like an ancient, mythical time to me in 1990’s 🤦🏽♀️
#9
My Hotmail account is older than most of my coworkers
No matter what anyone tells you, age really is just a number. What matters isn’t how many years you’ve lived but how you’ve lived them. With courage and curiosity? Passion and purpose? Energy and drive? It doesn’t matter that the younger generations think Nirvana and Harry Potter are ‘old as dirt’ when you’re having the time of your life.
But if you’re filled with regret, well, we genuinely believe that it’s never too late to learn something new, chase your dreams, and live to the fullest.
But in order to do all of that, it only makes sense to take good care of yourself. You’ve got to get the basic healthy habits right. Including getting enough sleep, drinking lots of water throughout the day, eating healthy and nutritious food, and moving a lot throughout the week. On top of that, it’s best to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. And if you want your skin to look young, you’d best become fast friends with sunscreen.
#10
I showed my nephew the matrix. We are a few minutes in and he is frowning. I’m like, “what’s wrong?” And he asks, “why are the phones ringing?” M**********r was born after dial-up.
#11
Doctors are younger than me now
#12
Listening to Nirvana today is the same as listening to The Beatles in the 90's
However, the physical side of your body is only a part of living a healthy, happy, and long life. You’ve also got to take good care of your mental health. That means spending time in nature and meditating to unwind, getting in touch with a therapist to help you work through your issues, and generally creating a good work/life balance.
Not only that, but you’ve got to strive for a fulfilling career. Work is an important factor in our lives, so it only makes sense to do what we find purposeful and meaningful. If we’re constantly exhausted and feeling like we’re not making the world a better place or what we’re doing doesn’t matter, it will only have negative effects on our well-being. Career aside, don’t forget your hobbies, whether they’re physically active, entirely social, or meant to keep your mind sharp.
#13
Hearing songs that were popular when you were in middle school and high school playing in the supermarket
#14
Being the guy that owns the Gmail and Hotmail email address with just my first and last name together. All the other same named people have to add a number or something at the end to have their name.
#15
i was talking with the daughter of a friend, she's 15, she told me "Harry Potter is an old people thing, I wasn't even born yet"
Sandra Gleeson 2 years ago
I listen to Mozart, pretty sure I wasnt born either when he was around
The key thing to remember is that nobody is an island. We’re all social animals, and we need relationships to thrive and survive. Loneliness is as bad for our health as smoking nearly a pack a day.
A massive 85-year Harvard study found that it’s not our careers, exercise, diets, or massive amounts of money that truly make us happy in life. Instead, it’s positive relationships that help us live longer and make us not just happier, but healthier, too.
#16
When I see a photo of myself that looks my actual age, even though I feel 20 years younger.
#18
I dont like anything new coming out anymore. Feels like that south park episode when Stan turns ten and it’s all s**t.
#19
People driving by me when I'm riding my bike, beeping at me and giving me the thumbs-up like "you go, old man!"
Apparently someone of my advanced years riding a bicycle is *inspirational.*
Tucker Cahooter 2 years ago
If someone shouted out "old man" in my direction, my first instinct would be to turn around and see what person they are referring to before the realisation dawned on me...
#20
The song Sweet Dreams Are Made of this is 40 years old.
#22
I'm an older first-time parent. Ran into someone I knew from high school when I went to pick my son up from daycare. She was there to pick up her grandson...
Sandra Gleeson 2 years ago
My eldest is 26, my youngest is 13, along with 2 in the middle at 22 and 19 and I also have a grandchild, Im 54
#23
I was watching a make-up tutorial on YouTube and the girl was using some butterfly clips to keep her hair away from her face and she said “Girls used to wear these in the olden days.” Also, a few weeks ago, I bought a bottle of wine and the cashier asked for my ID but literally only glanced at it for a split second before giving it back. I said ‘that was quick’ and she said ‘I just have to see the 19– at the start of your birth year and not 20–‘
#24
My hips, my swelling randomly for no reason but the onset of menopause, my silver hair being more than 75% now, and the fact that I can’t eat most foods like I used to without some horrible side effects ( swelling, constipation ) AND my perfect natural teeth are starting to go bad. Oh and anytime I start a movie, I fall right to sleep. Damn, also waking up to pee like every 2 hours during the night. Like wtf is that about!!?😫
#25
- Kids don't know what a house phone is.
- Kids do not know the world before internet.
- Kids trying to figure out a cassette tape.
- Kids think anything not touch screen is a touch screen.
- Knowing Millennials are the adults of the world now and boomers are the grandparents.
- Time appears to be going faster, but that's relative to how long you've lived.
I can go on...
cartoon ghosts 2 years ago
My art teacher is 6 years older than me and has a non-touch screen computer and since I don't really use electronics other than my phone I always think it's touch screen and he makes fun of me but seriously it's like engrained in me to tap on screens
#26
I went to go see Janet Jackson and Ludacris in concert about a week ago and my 25 year old son said, “what retirement home did they break out of?” 😒
#28
Watching movies from 2002 that once looked real and clear, and now they look fuzzy as old dog s**t
Barbara Kayton 2 years ago
And how movies from the 70s and 80s.look so fake, but they were back then they were the bees knees!
#29
People who were born when I started college are starting college.
Irina Khruleva 2 years ago
I still can't really believe that people who were born after 2000 are not little kids anymore.
#30
Trying to pick something up from the ground.
#31
Went to a public library.
Told me that they no longer use USBs.
/Thumb drives.
#32
Hearing bands that I grew up with (Foo Fighters, STP, Soundgarden) on classic rock radio stations.
#33
All the s**t kids are into these days. All these mobile games and YouTubers and influencers and TikTok videos with the screaming. Seriously what's with all the f*****g screaming? I swear there's no way my childhood would have seemed this nonsensical and alien to my parents when I was that age
#34
Thinking about how my kids will probably never use a dark room in school. They have no idea what a cassette, floppy disk, or zip disk is. Basically, as a millennial, the fact that I got to experience and grow up during the tale end of the analog age, as well as the digital age. They will only get the digital age, & all of the societal ramifications that come with it.
VogueGal84 2 years ago
1984 baby here, I can completely relate to OP. But having an infant right now, I'm planning to teach him all about the 80s & 90s so he'll appreciate the 'evolution' of technology.
#35
Going back to my uni and making Shrek jokes with students, then realising that they were all born after the first Shrek movie came out. Their introduction to Shrek was as a meme, not as a character.
#36
Realizing that kids born far after 2000 are like, functioning members of society now.
#38
I recently went to the Museum of American History in Washington D.C. and there were numerous items from my childhood in there. Numerous items. Also, there is a plaque at our local lake from when it was built in 1986. My kids were all, "Wow, dad. You're older than this lake."
ThéveNinja (she/her) 2 years ago
Not saying this post is necessarily American. But, I reference a quote regularly, and it seems like no one else has heard it. Has anyone else heard the quote: “America, where a hundred miles is short and a hundred years is long”?
#39
2 things: - Getting old enough to remember my parents at my current age. - Spent an evening shift with coworkers once, all around 20-21 (im 42). They were talking about 90s music the same way we were talking about 70s music. Playing Radiohead like it was the hottest discovery of the year.
#40
Saw a FB post from a guy I went to high school with. He was holding a newborn baby. Thought, “Good for him, having a kid at 45.” Then read the caption. The kid is his SECOND GRANDSON.
PlatinumThe8-BitCat 2 years ago
From what I’ve heard apparently using Facebook automatically makes you old, because apparently Facebook is just for old people
#41
None of my baby and childhood pictures are in color…
#43
My anger at current teenage angst on here. Like I really need to be mad at these kids being kids? And people walking on grass, like why am I getting angry at this except for the prospect I am becoming a fuddy duddy.
#44
Finding 30 year old women look like kids.
Lou Cam 2 years ago (edited)
When I was a teen I always used to wonder if old people were attracted to old people or if they really felt yuck about their similarly aged partners. Now I'm amazed that I consider my age "normal", I see pictures of my husband from when we met and think he looks like a fetus. I also can pick out people who are "our age" easily. It's like your concept of "us" changes as we age.
#45
Breaking Bad finale was 10 years ago.
#46
Remembering how it was to see without glasses
Robert Trebor 2 years ago
I wore glasses from 1954 to 2019. Cataract surgery. Glasses-free (I think I do need to get some reading glasses, though. But distance is sharp and clear (at least, after the first half-hour after waking up - still have presbyopia).
#47
I'm in my 30s doing an apprenticeship for a new career and there's a kid in my class who was born the year before I graduated high school.
Dorothy Stovall 2 years ago
I regularly register new patients and am astounded that they're in their 40s and born after the year I graduated high school (1981). I'm literally old enough to be their mother - doctors too are young enough to be my kids. That really causes me to pause.
#49
When 20 something year Olds call me sir
Celena Camps 2 years ago
I hate being called maam .. always have. But now i am too old to protest the word.
#50
Went to a museum in Seattle, and they had a video game section. A group of young teens are standing in front of a GameCube. One kid says to the other, 'I think this is the first Nintendo.' The other kid responds back, 'Isn’t it the first game system ever?' The first kid responds back, 'I don’t know. maybe?'
#51
Ever wake up in pain from sleeping wrong? Don't worry you will and that my friend is when you know your old as s**t.
#52
When I talk about things I did as a kid in the 90's and early 2000's and now people in their late teens and early 20's look at me like I'm an alien. I keep thinking, *"s**t, that wasn't that long ago"*, and then I remember it was 20+ years ago now!
Irina Khruleva 2 years ago
My mom often says about things we discuss: "that was 2 or 3 years ago". And then I say, "no mom, more like 8-9". And she won't believe me until I Google the proofs xD
#53
Waking up everyday feeling beat up, sore, like I had worked my a*s off all day doing manual labor when I just did my usual. Oh, and flexibility is for s**t too. Back hurts, muscles tight as a drum. I just need to be taken out back and put out of my misery. Don’t get old people. Or at the least, don’t every stop moving and stretching. Switching careers and going back to school at 46 ruined me. Now I work 12 hours shifts, overnights, when lots of my friends are starting to retire. -edit: I went back to school to become a nurse. Got my RN and the next month covid hit. I’m not a smart man
ThéveNinja (she/her) 2 years ago
OP is right: seriously, we CANNOT stop moving/stretching. It’s a compounding/exponential effect
#54
Remembering that I’ve lived long enough to see gas go from $1 a gallon to over $5.
#55
Student of mine coming in singing Teenage Dirtbag. I go "wow cool where did you hear that song?" She goes "oh on a golden oldies CD in my mom's car" That hurt a little not gonna lie.
#56
My upper, inner thighs. As I’ve aged, they’ve become very flabby and wrinkly. It’s the signal that my skin is starting to lose its elasticity. I guess I don’t mind much, the important ones that see them don’t care either, but I don’t wear shorts anymore.
#57
Born before google also I can score high on old tech quizzes like what is a rotary phone kids when they see a floppy disk cool someone 3d printed the save icon blockbuster - you had to drive to store to rent a movie
Amanda Rose 2 years ago
I really miss Blockbuster. That was my family's Friday night - Blockbuster, picking up a couple of pizzas (or some other fast food), watching the movie and playing board games until midnight.
#58
Not being asked for my ID anymore when buying alcohol
Stephen Andrews 2 years ago
I go to one specific store for any age restricted purchases because they have a policy of asking for ID from everyone. Last shot at feeling that I look younger than I am.
#59
I have taught the children of my former students.
#60
Hearing a cover of a song you remember hearing when it first came out
Mike Fitzpatrick 2 years ago
And WHY do some idiots think that a song would be better with their "mark" on it? Tom Cochrane did the original (and by far best, imo) "Life is a Highway" then some some hayseed group (or perhaps producer) decides "hey, that would sound better with a (stupid) twang".
#61
When I heard Gen Z’ers refer to the 1990’s as “the late 1900’s”
UpQuarkDownQuark (he/hey you) 2 years ago
That was a shocker the first time I heard it. I knew my great-great-grandmother, and she was born in the late 1800s. Now people are referring to my birth era in the same way. But it’s okay. Life moves fast, 2060 will be here in flash, and all you whippersnappers will be wondering what the hell your grandkids are talking about. And you’re gonna hate their music!
#63
I look in the mirror, and that 72 year old face looking back at me says it all.
#64
Last week, hearing on thr radio that Carson Daly celebrated his bday, turned 50. I used to see him way back when on TRL. First dude, that I ever saw wearing nail polish before. Just amazing how much time has gone by, and how he has progressed.
AndThenICommented 2 years ago
That no one remembers Chris Hardwick as the old host from MTV’s singled out, but a major Gaming Industry player.
#65
All the things that I adored as a child either cause me shame or incidentally ceased to exist
Kathy Wilbourne 2 years ago
I loved being able to walk around town by myself. Could walk the several blocks to school on my own by the time I was 9. And we could even go outside after dark alone without Mom freaking out. We felt safe and nothing bad ever happened to me or my friends or my brother from being unsupervised. I feel sorry for kids these days having to be supervised all the time.
#66
I was listening to the radio, and I realized I didn’t like the new music on it…and, gradually, the realization and horror crept in
#67
I still use my AOL email account. I used to get made fun of for that. Like, 'AOL? How old are you?' Now, I don’t think many people under 30 even know what AOL is/was. No one says anything when I tell them my email address. I’m now too old to even be made fun of, I guess
#68
My s****y knees
The Doom Song 2 years ago
My right knee will always tell me when it's gonna rain. I'm not quite 40 yet.....
#70
“What’s a DS?”
#71
People sharing pictures of their grandfathers and they are like photos from the 90s of dudes I went to college with…ouch.
Jaaawn 2 years ago (edited)
Seeing comments like 'this is my mum and dads favourite song' under YouTube videos of music you loved when you were younger. Also, was watching videos of Amy Winehouse performances and people were saying they were only young kids when she died but love her. Makes me so happy to know she has new generations of fans. Oh and comments under 9/11 documentaries that say 'even though this happened before I was born, I still feel the horror.' Makes you realise how fast time really goes.
#72
Stairs
Mike Fitzpatrick 2 years ago
When I was in my 40's I (willingly) climbed a bazillion steps to a carillon tower. I wouldn't make that mistake again no matter what.
#74
When Gen Z'ers tell me what year they were born after I've had an adult conversation with them
#75
My younger brother-in-law walked in the room a few months back while I was watching Alf, and he asked me if I was watching The Muppets
#76
I’ve been in the Navy for 14 years now and I had on of the new boots(Barley Out Of Training) ask me how old I was and I told him I was 35 and he reply “Dang you were born in the late 1900’s. My world has been shook ever since.
#77
Doing half an hour of any kind of work that I used to be able to do all day long. Also, standing up after sitting for an hour.
Sandra Gleeson 2 years ago
You need to move more to be able to keep moving as you age. My husband is 62 and still runs, goes to the gym and works hard in his business (he owns a demolition company so no office for him) at 54 I spend at least 30 hours a week doing physically demanding work, and about the same doing lighter stuff. Gotta move it or you will lose it
#78
When I remember people only by their surnames
#79
I went to the science museum in london a couple months ago and they had an iPhone 3 there... in a museum. Made me feel ancient
#80
Quoting Seinfeld to my students who sit there with vacant eyes.
#82
Pearl Jam is considered classic rock. Shoot me. Please. Also, watching Kevin Love hobble up and down the court but knowing he is 12 years younger than me.
Lakota Wolf 2 years ago
I remember when my favorite local “oldies” station added music from the 80s (the decade when I was born) to their repertoire. That was bad enough. Then a little while later, they added music from the 90s to their repertoire. Music from the 90s is now considered “oldies”. I feel positively decrepit.
#83
That people born in 2009 are freshmen in high school now
#86
The Nintendo wii(my childhood console) was first published almost 17 years ago. That's pretty damn long if you ask me.
#88
So I was at the checkout yesterday, and the girl who is about 16 or 17 running the register hands me my receipt and says, "Have a good day sir. I'm only 26, but I felt ancient in that moment. I'm to the point in life where teens are calling me, sir.
#90
knowing my little sister is now 15 years old. i used to give her her bibber (milk bottle, not sure what's the good word for it).
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What do you think ?
Rob Chapman 2 years ago (edited)
Star Trek: The Next Generation is more than a decade older than The Original Series was when TNG premiered. As a Trekkie, that REALLY makes me feel old.
The Other Guest 2 years ago
Really want to feel old? Wil Wheaton is older than Patrick Stewart was when ST:TNG premiered. Yer welcome.
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Delta Dawn 2 years ago
A sudden abiding interest in birds and birding appears out of nowhere in middle age. Also, I still like to use periods at the end of my sentences.
Amelia Jade 2 years ago
When I became content to spend my mornings gardening, with my cats nearby. Grunge loving, tattoo and piercing covered Gen X, wearing my gardening duds, gloves, and a sun hat. I can talk people's ears off about soil, roses, companion plants, etc. If 20 year old me saw me now, they'd never believe it.
Rob Chapman 2 years ago (edited)
Star Trek: The Next Generation is more than a decade older than The Original Series was when TNG premiered. As a Trekkie, that REALLY makes me feel old.
The Other Guest 2 years ago
Really want to feel old? Wil Wheaton is older than Patrick Stewart was when ST:TNG premiered. Yer welcome.
Load More Replies... Delta Dawn 2 years ago
A sudden abiding interest in birds and birding appears out of nowhere in middle age. Also, I still like to use periods at the end of my sentences.
Amelia Jade 2 years ago
When I became content to spend my mornings gardening, with my cats nearby. Grunge loving, tattoo and piercing covered Gen X, wearing my gardening duds, gloves, and a sun hat. I can talk people's ears off about soil, roses, companion plants, etc. If 20 year old me saw me now, they'd never believe it.
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