r/Aging

I am almost 40 years old. Two years ago, I was asked for ID when I went to a liquor store. Now, people call me 'sir' and I don't get asked for ID anymore. I don't get hit on by cute young females anymore. I understand that everyone ages and there's nothing you can do about it. However, over the past two years, I have been spending more time in the sun than usual. Probably about two hours a day. Do you think the sun really causes ageing of the skin and face? Or is my biological age finally catching up with me?

I'm only in my 30s, but I'm very old.

I don't mean in that "Haha I'm getting old, I've got grey hair and sometimes my back hurts when I sleep funny" sense.

I mean in the sense that I've made very poor lifestyle choices to the point that my doctors say my health is more on par with someone in their 70s (and not a fit 70-something). My octogenarian father is far more physically capable than I am. I have gone from "falling over" to "having falls".

I relate more and more to this blog post (which probably deserves its own post because it's great imho but here we are) every day.

The animal is tired. And it really shouldn't be at this age.

I keep reading about older people feeling “invisible” and/or lonely. I’m wondering just how many of us, especially guys, would say that about themselves. Especially if they hadn’t read it in an AARP newsletter or some such.

So, a couple of days ago, I (M) met a guy I hadn't seen in about 18 years. He's around my age, in his early 40s. What surprised me the most was that he had barely aged at all. He was still overweight, but he looked almost the same as he did back in 2008.

We spoke briefly, then he went his way and I went mine.

It stung a bit because I don't really like him (there's a reason we hadn't spoken for 18 years, but that's a different discussion, lol). Still, for the past 10 years, I've been taking care of myself: working out, following a low-carb, high-protein diet, taking multivitamins and supplements, and eating healthy foods (although ever since I got married, I do treat myself every now and then). I even buy some of the popular David Sinclair supplements. And even though I think I look good for my age, I've definitely aged since 2008.

Knowing this guy (and considering he's still overweight), I don't think he follows any kind of anti-aging regimen. Back then, he used to eat whatever he wanted. Of course, I'm not ruling out the possibility that he does now, but I doubt he follows any specific strategy.

So, I think it's safe to say that while a healthy, active lifestyle and anti-aging supplements can definitely help slow down the aging process, genetics is probably the number one factor.

Thoughts?

Probably most judging from the posts I've read.

It's funny how we all know we looked a lot younger 20 years ago but somehow we play these mind games with ourselves because we have to convince ourselves that we're looking closer to the age we were when we liked the way we looked.

Too bad that we're programmed to react this way to something as natural and inevitable as aging.

I've noticed that people who never considered themselves good looking generally have an easier time looking older. Old age is like death. It's an equalizer.

Or maybe I have it totally wrong. Maybe it is just that only people who are concerned about looking old are reading this sub.

Because "aging" in of itself is not a specific condition. Those who are concerned about specific diseases and conditions go to those subs to post and get information and feedback.

Just reminiscing and quoting few life lessons I learnt along my life's journey so far..

1. There are no refunds for wasted time.

So Carpe Diem. Don't regret not taking breaks or chances as they come by.

2. Being gentle to yourself when overthinking takes over your life regarding things which didn't work out.

3. Letting go of what you can't control. Things are not always willed to happen.

4. Knowing when to quit .

Be it relationships or career trajectories.

5. Being true to yourself irrespective of the circumstances and the surroundings.

6. Progress beats perfection anyday.

Taking first step is better than procrastination about perfect ways to do it.

7. Not chasing behind imaginary goals when you hit forty and keep it realistic .

Hope this helps folks .

Hit upvote if you feel it's helpful.

Keep smiling and enjoy life ( what's left of it!)

I’m 23 years old and soon will turn to 24. I’ve heard a lot of people, who work with me, my friends, even from my dad that the only thing I need now is getting older.

I’ve no idea what does that mean. There’s no next step, no hint, no nothing. People just say I’m smart, kind, and hard working, but I need to get older. I want to know from the aspect of people that older than me what should I do or do I need to prepare anything for this phase? Thank you!

(not native speaker, sorry in advance)

Hey everyone!

I (24M) was wondering how difficult will be learning in the next years that follow. I'm worried that my neuroplasticity will fail me.

When I was in school, I didn't care much about my future, I would always pass with the bare minimum grade, I never studied (or only when my parents forced me to).

And now im facing the consequences of my decisions, when I started uni, the quarantine also did.
I tried taking the online course, but I couldn't keep up, so I ended up dropping off.

2021, 2022 and 2023 were the same, but in the middle I started working for a small business doing IT stuff (june 2021-January 2023).

in the last months of 2023, I decided to pursue a technical degree, which was shorter than a engineer or a bachelor's degree.

Right now, after 3 years, im finally about to finish it, but I feel that's just not enough for today's world (Im studying programming).

Oh, I almost forgot, something that I could do during this time was to study english. I started in 2018 and just a few weeks ago I received the results of the FIRST B2 Exam (I needed just one extra point to get the C1, sad), I'm thinking of continuing studying so I reach a decent, communicational level.

The point is that I'm getting older, I feel that I still need to be learning, but I also feel that everything has become so hard that I'm afraid that, because of my age, my capacity of learning will be so slow that any progress would take too many years..

Btw, one of my dreams is to move to the USA or Canada, so im trying everything that I can... I sacrificed so many things to be where I am.

Any advice in this matter is appreciated

didn’t enjoy my early 20s, internships and opportunities were closed due to COVID, then my parents divorced after I graduated college making me fall into a four year depression unable to function which awoke a hidden trauma I had (I was SA as a kid from 5 to 10) I deprived myself from being a woman because i felt dirty, never had any boyfriend because it feels dirty. i am in therapy, but it doesn’t work it just stitch a wound that eventually will reopen because too many normal things were stolen from you. i changed, I tried making myself feel pretty, went into fashion which is something I’m passionate. Yet, I don’t like my life even though I’m trying to change and make the best of it. But, it’s not working. I have too many fears that cripples me, and right now is turning 30. It represents a heavy weight, change, and things that I am not prepared for. I don’t even feel my age. I don’t know if it’s social media messing with my head, or that i am putting too much symbolism to 30. I may sound shallow, but I don’t. Want to get old. Many people have told me age is just a number, aging is a privilege, but I don’t see the good in it. I lost my grandma, and she was depressed. She was not happy. I miss her to this day, and I will never forget how fast her health declined from a week to being able to speak to the next week to be unable to open her eyes.

She wasn’t the person I knew when she died. I also lost my grand aunt or (the sister of my grandpa) she used to be fashion, she used to party, and be all pretty, she stopped eating, got depressed, and was all skin and bones when I also last saw her. She was the most kindest woman I have known, she didn’t recognize me.

Now, for some damn reason I feel like 30s is old, that your body will change even if you eat healthy, that food stops being your fuel but a threat to your body (I am recovering from an eating disorder which was triggered from the SA and also i have some form of arfid) I have tried to think hey 30s aren’t old, I also try to look up for role models. But pfff, it doesn’t work. I’m trying to apply to a masters degree in college, but at the same time this is overriding my passion. I’m trying to live in the present, but it’s hard really really hard when it stops being in your head and manifest in your body (tight chest, crying, etc…) because I am lost with myself with my body, my sexuality (i am straight, but I have never have sex, never consider myself attractive, I have ya know masturbated but I don’t know if i am doing it right, or if I even want to be naked around a man) the only thing that keeps me going is the masters degree, i want to go to london, maybe hell focus on college stress and immerse myself in threads and fabrics. As well as I trying foods that I have never wanted to eat before. But, the more I think about turning 30 the more miserable I become. It’s so bad, I have contemplated suicide. I spoke to my therapist about this, but it only brought disgust towards myself. It wasn’t her fault. I was diagnosed with CPTSD and ADHD with OCD.

It doesn’t help that I don’t have a good relationship with my father. He is narcissistic and emotionally abusive.

I wish I was 24 which is the age I feel more close than late 20s. It just hurts so bad, really bad.

In qualunque ambito esistente

I miss who I used to be but it feels like the world sees this is being vain.

What was the first car you owned? Mine was a 4 month old 1976 mini Austin. I paid $2000

Anyone else constantly worried about your parent falling when you're not there? My father recently had a close save in the bathroom. And i am very concerned.

Has anyone tried any solutions? something that worked, what did not?