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We’re not getting any younger, and there’s little we can do about it. And we may ignore it, but the reality sometimes shamelessly comes right into your face.
For example, when looking at your phone pictures from last year, or when lathering your skin with anti-aging cream, or when suddenly meeting your unrecognizable childhood friend in a supermarket, or when scrolling for your birthdate in a drop-down menu. These painful reality checks hilariously remind us of the passing time.
So when someone asked “What made you realize ‘you're old?’” it hit a soft spot for too many people out there. A whopping 16k comments later, the all too relatable responses are in, and oh boy, I never felt as ancient as I do right now.
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#1
I almost fell over when a local radio station called songs from the '80s the 'golden oldies.' No! The golden oldies are the '50s/'60s!
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#2
I find more and more people are being stupid and annoying.
Laura Wasser, a family law expert and chief of divorce evolution at Divorce.com, told Bored Panda that a positive outlook on getting older involves accepting it as a natural part of life and concentrating on the upsides.
“As time goes by, we acquire valuable experiences, insight, and a better comprehension of ourselves and our surroundings. Instead of getting hung up on the unavoidable bodily changes, let's appreciate the wisdom, personal development, and connections we've made over the years,” she explained.
#4
Doing nothing became my favorite thing to do on the weekend.
Baseball is Life 1 year ago
Absolutely nothing wrong with this, we don't always have to be doing 'something'
#5
I used to sneak out of home to go to a party, now I sneak out of the party to go home
#6
Sleeping straight through the night is a thing of the past; if it's not a hip or shoulder screaming at me to roll over, it's a bladder wanting releif.
According to Laura, “keeping our spirits up and feeling thankful help us nurture a happier, more satisfying attitude toward aging while still looking after our mental and emotional health.”
Being in a relationship as you grow older offers many positive aspects. Laura explained that one of the main perks is the sense of companionship. “Sharing life experiences, memories, and moments with someone you care about makes life richer and more satisfying,” she said.
#7
I'm disgusted by TikTok
#8
Whenever I have to enter my birthdate in a drop-down menu
#9
I teach writing to college freshmen. I had a student writing about standardized testing who started a paragraph with the phrase: 'Beliefs about education at the turn of the century worked from the assumption that...' It took me two paragraphs to realize that the turn she was talking about was 1999 to 2000. This was two years ago. The resulting existential crisis is still unresolved.
Tucker Cahooter 1 year ago
When Pointless asks contestants a question involving "Greatest music artists of this century", it takes me a while to cotton on they don't mean groups like The Jam or The Beatles
“Additionally, being in a healthy partnership leads to better mental well-being. Research indicates that people in strong relationships experience increased happiness, reduced stress, and a lower likelihood of depression.”
Moreover, Laura noted that sharing your life with a partner comes with practical advantages. “Life becomes easier when you can tackle daily tasks, financial matters, and important decisions as a team. This shared responsibility leads to a more enjoyable and manageable lifestyle.”
#10
When I realized that I own t shirts that are older than people I work with
David 1 year ago (edited)
My oldest grandson is 18, almost 19. My microwave is several years older than him. Also at least one of my printed tshirts for that matter. EDIT: PS - Bonus Points - I bought that 1997 Panasonic microwave used at a garage sale for I think about $15. LOL! It was fairly new-ish then but some people were moving or something. Folks that looked like they had money and could afford to get new stuff wherever they moved to.
#11
You know all the celebrities that die. I remember celebrity deaths to me for years were just always random people that might as well have been from Ancient Rome for how well I knew of them and how old they were. Now, every celebrity death is like, 'What?!??! She died?? But she was just in that movie!' But then you remember that for you, 'just in that movie' was a movie 30 years or more ago sometimes.
#12
Look at an intact cardboard box you have in your house. What do you think? If the answer is: Oh, this is a good cardboard box, I should hold on to it, you know it has started.
We also wondered why our society is so obsessed with staying forever young. Laura explained that “people love the idea of staying young because it reminds them of a time full of chances, energy, and new beginnings.”
“Being young means having more freedom and fun, and as we age, we often miss those simpler times without many responsibilities. By trying to stay youthful, we hope to keep enjoying life like we did when we were younger,” she said.
Moreover, our society values and promotes youthfulness, Laura argues. “You can see young people and new ideas in movies, music, and ads, which makes us think that being young is something worth chasing after.”
#13
Viggo Mortensen is now older than Ian McKellan was when he played Gandalf in Fellowship..
#14
Wait a minute - let me get my glasses and put the main light on to read this properly...
#15
When my Mom moved into my mirror.
Michelle C 1 year ago
I’m starting to look more like my mother and late maternal grandmother. I’ll take it!
#16
Spent my 30th birthday itching to go home and take my new cordless vacuum cleaner for a spin.
StrangeOne 1 year ago
I recall on my 5th Christmas I felt sad my mom got household appliances for a present. But I was confused why she was so excited and not sad she doesn't get any of the cool, fun toys I got. She said it was her version of toys and I'd know the feeling when I'm older. She was right. However, I still wouldn't mind getting a few cool kids toys, still.
#17
When "ow that hurt" became "I hope that's not permanent"
#18
Guy at the liquor store looked really quick at my license. I said that was fast. He said it starts with 19--
StrangeOne 1 year ago
The LC people take an uncomfortable long time on mine cos my picture is a decade old. I was supposed to get it replaced but then the pandemic hit and the license issuers were not doing photos. They sent me a replacement when mine expired with my old picture. When restrictions lifted I called to book an appt. for retakes, as they said I could. But they said I now have to wait until my new card expires unless there's a major difference in my appearance.
#19
I was reading Rolling Stone at the doctors office and realized I hardly knew any of the bands on the billboard #1 singles list. 90s music to my kids is like what 60s music was to me.
#20
I use urban dictionary
#21
My "Check Knee" light turned on.
#22
A bunch of things lol.
Bent down to pick up my 20 lb pup and threw my back out.
Seeing athletes get drafted into the NFL that were born after 2000. Also watching guys I saw get drafted now retiring.
Wanting peace and quiet instead of parties.
Getting excited about grocery or furniture shopping.
StrangeOne 1 year ago
i hate grocery shopping. The Safeway near me has now blocked off access of the exiting area from the entrances, and the exit area has the public washroom. I used to just go under the chains or lift the gates up in the closed checkouts. Now they chain shopping carts in the closed checkout aisles. So if I need to use the washroom I have to push past people in the tight check out lanes, or try to hold it and wait to pay for something. It's giving me so much anxiety. what if there's a fire? What if someone has realized they needed a shopping cart instead of a basket? What if someone just needs to leave because they realized they forgot their wallet? Why do we have to be trapped in? That's what it feels like. Trapped.
#24
Nearly busted my a*s in the shower and suddenly life alert made sense 🤣
kitten levels tokyo 1 year ago
I slipped and fell on wet shower tiles in my 40s. I learned what pain is that day.
#25
My everyday routine: Come home from work, watch Wheel of Fortune, look at the newspaper and sit outside(weather permitting), to watch the birds and squirrels. If that doesn't mean I am old, then nothing does!
#27
I recently saw a reddit post about things that were popular 25 years ago and I thought about the 80s until I saw a comment that pointed out that we are talking about 1998. I also then realized that I am older than 25.
I also recently used the phrase '20 years ago' when I was talking to a friend. That hit different.
Auntriarch 1 year ago
I'm still 26 in my head. My body will just have to tag along the best it can.
#28
At 44 I don't feel old but when I'm going to do something now a days I think about it if I could get hurt
StrangeOne 1 year ago
This is why I don't learn how to skateboard, and I'm now afraid to try ice skating and roller skating again. But I really want to.
#29
Both parents have died and their siblings are also gone.
#30
When I gave dating sites a try and found that the people my age were old looking.
StrangeOne 1 year ago
I still find guys in their 40s up too old and seem creepy on dating apps where there's so many young women. Or maybe I just find dating apps creepy in general. Idk. I have bf now, anyways and I hope we grow old together and I'll never have to resort to trying a dating app out again. Last time I got hit up by the same guys and recommended the same guys week after week. Tried looking for someone new, messaged a few guys. I had on my profile I'm looking for a long term commitment but men would just ask if I'm looking to hook up. Shows no one reads profiles, or takes females seriously. One guy started messaging me back. After the 3rd message he was like "Are we going to meet up or what? I'm not doing this messaging b******t." Like, whoa bucko. Chill out. So I immediately blocked him cos that was scary af. It was a learning curve, finding more about who I am, really, and discovered I need more time to heal from my previous abusive relationship and come to terms that I'm more asexual.
#32
I was taking to my team (early 20s, I’m basically their parents’ age) about the actress Gillian Anderson and when it didn’t ring a bell, I said “you know, Agent Scully from X-Files. No one knew X-Files or who Agent Scully was but one of the girls chipped in “oh, the mother from Sex Education” and they all clicked.
3 Trash Pandas in a Trenchcoat 1 year ago
You'll be happy to know my parents show my brother and I X-files this summer, and we loved it. We're on season 4 now.
#33
My sister, a decade younger than me, asked about a band I was listening to. I told her I'd burn her a CD for her car. She told me her car doesn't even have a CD player.
#35
I had to go to a Walgreens to get my passport photo taken. They use a digital camera. The clerk helping me was so young, she said something like, 'I’ve never used one of these old type cameras before.' I had to help her get the SD card out and put it in the printer.
#36
I stepped in a hole in the concrete at the gas station and fell over. That simple fall to the pavement broke my foot, my ankle, and three ribs. I'm 56 and now officially old.
#37
When I started mixing corn flakes with frosted flakes because frosted flakes alone was too f*****g sweet.
7 year old me would be shocked at old me
StrangeOne 1 year ago
I'm shocked I was able to eat just the icing on a cake and only the marshmallows in Lucky Charms. I miss my old sweet tooth.
#38
You know what's a totally not fun game to play with your younger coworkers? Asking them what cartoons they grew up watching. Asking them where they were on 9/11 is also a good one.
#40
Clerk in a store was singing along to Soft Cell Don't you want me/ Where did our love go. I said "ur too young to know this" He said he "lived with his Grandpa and knows all the oldies"
#41
The first time the barber asked if I wanted my eyebrows trimmed.
#42
Asked a young relative what music she was into, thinking I would be able to impress her with all I know about the "cool" bands. She listed quite a few and I had never heard of a single one, instantly humbled.
kitten levels tokyo 1 year ago
Trying to impress a young relative probably means you are getting old.
#44
The setting in Back to the Future was the same distance from the 1950’s as we are to the 1990’s.
#45
My job has an ipad that we use for certain things. I asked a younger coworker how to adjust the volume, and he said "oh it's just an ipad. Wait, do you not know how to use an ipad?" & he was genuinely surprised that I'd never used one before. I'm a millennial. My mom used to say I was tech savvy with my flip phone. Now look at me, pathetic.
#46
Hangovers lasting into a 2nd day and waking up with random sore muscles.
#47
Looked in the mirror. Thats not my face, and it's way older than me. Then my voice said "damn, I'm old" and I had to agree, but was very confused who said it.
#48
I hit 49 years of age and my body decided at that point that I'm old. Every bad decision I made regarding my health came back to bite me.
Irish woman abroad 1 year ago
Yup - all that junk food and alcohol from your 20s will eventually come knocking at your door 😭😭😭
#49
When celebrities would come on late night shows and they looked SO much older… then I would think “I guess I do too…”
#50
When i started working with kids, and they were told "You listen to [my name]! Do what she tells you, okay?" Hang on, i am in charge here? Of tiny people? F*ck.
What do you think ?
bElLa sTairZz 1 year ago
how old are you? personally id say that being married at all is when you start to get old
Load More Replies...
Bill Evs 1 year ago
Today I took a broken wooden bed down to my local recycling centre and as I was clearing it out of my car I found two or three good pieces of wood. I genuinely stood there for about a minute looking at those pieces and thinking "should I throw these away, they could come in handy". I had no actual plan to use them for anything , I just couldn't part with some (potentially) useful wood.
StrangeOne 1 year ago
My daughter has been pretty familiar with VHS tapes and VCRs. Didn't think I would have to explain anything to her. After we finished watching a movie I got engrossed in BP and let the tape just go to the end. I get snapped out of my world to her saying "It stops on it's own?" and then she hears the whirring "And it rewinds on it's own?" all amazed. I thought she knew that. Apparently not so. So, then I asked her if she knew what a device called a "tape rewinder" was. Nope, she said. Got to explain the convenient, but highly unnecessary, technology some people had where if you were too lazy and impatient to rewind a video before watching another you could put it in a small machine in which it's only sole purpose was to rewind VHS cassettes. Her grandma and grandpa have/had one but she never noticed.
VonBlade 1 year ago
We've all got a favourite ring on the stove, a favourite mug, a favourite vegetable strainer. We all own clothes that once decended from out "best stuff" to "bumbling around the house in" and, eventually, back to going out in. These are the hidden truths of getting old that nobody discusses.
Joe Publique 1 year ago
I love that all my clothes have been in and out of fashion almost three times now. :)
Load More Replies...
Bored Retsuko 1 year ago (edited)
Ooh, I have one! I was at a shop and they played the song "say my name", but it was a cover version, and I realised that kids nowadays don't even know the original by Destiny's Child, which is wild to me because when that came out, I already considered myself "too old for new music", lol
Knux Kitsune 1 year ago
They may not know Destiny's Child, but I'm pretty sure they know who Beyonce is.
Load More Replies...
Ample Aardvark 1 year ago
Two things that happened very recently: 1 - I was automatically given the "over 60's discount" on a membership without having to produce ID and 2 - I'm now the same age as my grandmother was when I was born. I'm 54.
Kenny Kulbiski 1 year ago
When something hurts and you say to yourself, " jeez, I hope that's a pulled muscle and not a major organ failure. "
tuzdayschild 1 year ago
When you're listening to the music lineup for the Grammy Awards and you don't know any of them. None at all!
The Redhead 1 year ago
I'm 41, recently a neighbor from my childhood neighborhood sent a picture of my mom and me when I was about 12. My mom was my current age I couldn't believe how young she looked!
PupperPanda 1 year ago
You know you're old when you no longer fall over; you now, "have a fall".
Will Cable 1 year ago
When you complain phones are getting very big but then realise you can't have a smaller phone because you can't read the screen without glasses
Nay Wilson 1 year ago
My younger sister has 5 children now. The oldest is nearly 11. How is that possible? 5 minutes ago she was 16
Justme 1 year ago
Addressing people as Mr. or Mrs. I was discussing a patient with a younger colleague and she said “oh, I think she goes by Jane”. I replied, “she’s 87, she likely goes by Mrs. Doe”.
Gg 1 year ago (edited)
I've been married for 9yrs and I've been called Mrs. Such and such, probably 3 or 4 times. It's actually pretty nice when people call me that. Respectful and ya know it's my name. *Edit I am not 87, a millennial
Load More Replies... Isaac Nemo 1 year ago
So many of these, like not enjoying parties, or enjoying quiet and solitude, have been lifelong traits of mine since I was tiny. I guess that means I get to feel young forever?
Oerff On Tour 1 year ago
Does anyone remember, when the first generation of smartphones became commonplace, someone with a flipphone was ridiculed as outdated? Check out the new Samsung Fold... In 2 years Apple will have one, and in 5y you look ridiculous if you still don't have one
Susan Howell 1 year ago
I relate to almost all of these. Born in 1946, guess I really AM getting old…
Chloe Ross 1 year ago
I too was born in '46 and I don't think I ever grew up entirely. I still SEEM to have feet in many generations...but I also have a very Mad Magazine sense of humor. It helps.
Load More Replies... Shannon Matthews 1 year ago
Realized that I was getting old when I had two surgeries to repair torn rotator cuffs - 6 months apart. I don't do sports. So yeah
Katie Lutesinger 1 year ago
I somehow managed to become even grumpier and even more impatient with other people. And my new favourite way to pass the weekends became sleeping.
Bill Marsano 1 year ago
My doctor asked what my tin nitus sounded like. I said 'tape hiss.' On another recent occasion I mentioned 'watch spring.'
Beruthiel45 1 year ago
Thank you! That's just how mine sounds and I couldn't describe it very well. I just said far away road traffic.
Load More Replies...
Ivy at Eve 1 year ago
1. When David Bowie and Prince died and my colleagues asked "who?" 2. When I overheard on the bus "It's an old movie with a young Will Smith". An old movie is with a young Sean Connery (RIP), you can't convince me otherwise. 3. When my colleague replied "I always forget you're old" (yes, emphasis on the last word)
rs_adahl1971 1 year ago
Ok. It's official, I'm old. I identified with 95 percent of this list. I'm 51. I remember a world without microwaves, now I cook most of my food in the darn thing
DrBronxx 1 year ago
At Christmas I sprained my ankle as badly as you can without actually damaging ligaments or bone. Here we are four months later and it still really quite hurts. Also, I’ve been much less active than I have in the past and everything has just….seized up. I feel so stiff all the time.
Doodles1983 1 year ago
Singing a Lizzo track “slid into my DMs” genuinely thought Doc Maartens.
Channo Sagara 1 year ago
F**k... All these makes me really old. Thanks BP, I'll cut on the cigarettes and alcohol a little.
Shankshaw Redeemer 1 year ago
I knew my mindset was already old when I asked for a mattress for my birthday when I was in tenth grade--so 14/15. I didn't get it. :-(
Al LeFeusch 1 year ago
After reading these, it's clear that I've been old since I was like 18.
Far Cough Khan 1 year ago
i used to be referred to as "ask this young man" to "go ask that uncle over there".
Regina George 1 year ago
For me it was two things, 1 I don't know who the latest big celebrities are, 2 when I upgraded my phone I was furious at first that there was no hole for my earphones 😂 I'm 34 this year
bElLa sTairZz 1 year ago
how old are you? personally id say that being married at all is when you start to get old
Load More Replies... Bill Evs 1 year ago
Today I took a broken wooden bed down to my local recycling centre and as I was clearing it out of my car I found two or three good pieces of wood. I genuinely stood there for about a minute looking at those pieces and thinking "should I throw these away, they could come in handy". I had no actual plan to use them for anything , I just couldn't part with some (potentially) useful wood.
StrangeOne 1 year ago
My daughter has been pretty familiar with VHS tapes and VCRs. Didn't think I would have to explain anything to her. After we finished watching a movie I got engrossed in BP and let the tape just go to the end. I get snapped out of my world to her saying "It stops on it's own?" and then she hears the whirring "And it rewinds on it's own?" all amazed. I thought she knew that. Apparently not so. So, then I asked her if she knew what a device called a "tape rewinder" was. Nope, she said. Got to explain the convenient, but highly unnecessary, technology some people had where if you were too lazy and impatient to rewind a video before watching another you could put it in a small machine in which it's only sole purpose was to rewind VHS cassettes. Her grandma and grandpa have/had one but she never noticed.
VonBlade 1 year ago
We've all got a favourite ring on the stove, a favourite mug, a favourite vegetable strainer. We all own clothes that once decended from out "best stuff" to "bumbling around the house in" and, eventually, back to going out in. These are the hidden truths of getting old that nobody discusses.
Joe Publique 1 year ago
I love that all my clothes have been in and out of fashion almost three times now. :)
Load More Replies... Bored Retsuko 1 year ago (edited)
Ooh, I have one! I was at a shop and they played the song "say my name", but it was a cover version, and I realised that kids nowadays don't even know the original by Destiny's Child, which is wild to me because when that came out, I already considered myself "too old for new music", lol
Knux Kitsune 1 year ago
They may not know Destiny's Child, but I'm pretty sure they know who Beyonce is.
Load More Replies... Ample Aardvark 1 year ago
Two things that happened very recently: 1 - I was automatically given the "over 60's discount" on a membership without having to produce ID and 2 - I'm now the same age as my grandmother was when I was born. I'm 54.
Kenny Kulbiski 1 year ago
When something hurts and you say to yourself, " jeez, I hope that's a pulled muscle and not a major organ failure. "
tuzdayschild 1 year ago
When you're listening to the music lineup for the Grammy Awards and you don't know any of them. None at all!
The Redhead 1 year ago
I'm 41, recently a neighbor from my childhood neighborhood sent a picture of my mom and me when I was about 12. My mom was my current age I couldn't believe how young she looked!
PupperPanda 1 year ago
You know you're old when you no longer fall over; you now, "have a fall".
Will Cable 1 year ago
When you complain phones are getting very big but then realise you can't have a smaller phone because you can't read the screen without glasses
Nay Wilson 1 year ago
My younger sister has 5 children now. The oldest is nearly 11. How is that possible? 5 minutes ago she was 16
Justme 1 year ago
Addressing people as Mr. or Mrs. I was discussing a patient with a younger colleague and she said “oh, I think she goes by Jane”. I replied, “she’s 87, she likely goes by Mrs. Doe”.
Gg 1 year ago (edited)
I've been married for 9yrs and I've been called Mrs. Such and such, probably 3 or 4 times. It's actually pretty nice when people call me that. Respectful and ya know it's my name. *Edit I am not 87, a millennial
Load More Replies... Isaac Nemo 1 year ago
So many of these, like not enjoying parties, or enjoying quiet and solitude, have been lifelong traits of mine since I was tiny. I guess that means I get to feel young forever?
Oerff On Tour 1 year ago
Does anyone remember, when the first generation of smartphones became commonplace, someone with a flipphone was ridiculed as outdated? Check out the new Samsung Fold... In 2 years Apple will have one, and in 5y you look ridiculous if you still don't have one
Susan Howell 1 year ago
I relate to almost all of these. Born in 1946, guess I really AM getting old…
Chloe Ross 1 year ago
I too was born in '46 and I don't think I ever grew up entirely. I still SEEM to have feet in many generations...but I also have a very Mad Magazine sense of humor. It helps.
Load More Replies... Shannon Matthews 1 year ago
Realized that I was getting old when I had two surgeries to repair torn rotator cuffs - 6 months apart. I don't do sports. So yeah
Katie Lutesinger 1 year ago
I somehow managed to become even grumpier and even more impatient with other people. And my new favourite way to pass the weekends became sleeping.
Bill Marsano 1 year ago
My doctor asked what my tin nitus sounded like. I said 'tape hiss.' On another recent occasion I mentioned 'watch spring.'
Beruthiel45 1 year ago
Thank you! That's just how mine sounds and I couldn't describe it very well. I just said far away road traffic.
Load More Replies... Ivy at Eve 1 year ago
1. When David Bowie and Prince died and my colleagues asked "who?" 2. When I overheard on the bus "It's an old movie with a young Will Smith". An old movie is with a young Sean Connery (RIP), you can't convince me otherwise. 3. When my colleague replied "I always forget you're old" (yes, emphasis on the last word)
rs_adahl1971 1 year ago
Ok. It's official, I'm old. I identified with 95 percent of this list. I'm 51. I remember a world without microwaves, now I cook most of my food in the darn thing
DrBronxx 1 year ago
At Christmas I sprained my ankle as badly as you can without actually damaging ligaments or bone. Here we are four months later and it still really quite hurts. Also, I’ve been much less active than I have in the past and everything has just….seized up. I feel so stiff all the time.
Doodles1983 1 year ago
Singing a Lizzo track “slid into my DMs” genuinely thought Doc Maartens.
Channo Sagara 1 year ago
F**k... All these makes me really old. Thanks BP, I'll cut on the cigarettes and alcohol a little.
Shankshaw Redeemer 1 year ago
I knew my mindset was already old when I asked for a mattress for my birthday when I was in tenth grade--so 14/15. I didn't get it. :-(
Al LeFeusch 1 year ago
After reading these, it's clear that I've been old since I was like 18.
Far Cough Khan 1 year ago
i used to be referred to as "ask this young man" to "go ask that uncle over there".
Regina George 1 year ago
For me it was two things, 1 I don't know who the latest big celebrities are, 2 when I upgraded my phone I was furious at first that there was no hole for my earphones 😂 I'm 34 this year
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