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Dying might suck, but growing old isn’t all that much easier. It’s all of those sudden realizations that time keeps on moving and your body is ever so slowly fading into nothingness. Each time it hits hard.
And folks on Reddit have been discussing those very instances of life letting them know that their expiration date is approaching. Without telling them when it actually is, of course.
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#1
Watching the “lil” rappers (lil pump, lil _insert name here_) score millions of likes on YouTube for some of the most awful music that has ever been unleashed on the world.
RELATED:
#3
When a song from my youth plays on the radio and the dj calls it a classic or an oldie.
UpQuarkDownQuark (he/him) 8 months ago
When your favorite band was once of the biggest bands in the world, and no one under 35 has ever even heard of them.
So, one Redditor recently approached the AskReddit community with the question what made you realize you are not young anymore? A heavy-hitting question, to be honest, and even more so for those in their older years.
While the upvotage was on the modest side, clocking in at a bit over 1,000 upvotes, it engaged quite a bunch of people across 3,700 comments.
#4
For me, it’s when celebrities pass away. I’m always like, ‘No way! They’ve been around since I was….’ Oh no!
The math is the worst part.
Esme Weatherwax 8 months ago
It's worrying when it's implied they were old and you suddenly realise they were younger than you. Take a number and wait in line.
#5
I turned on the Grammy awards and I had no clue who the majority of performers were. Years ago I knew all of them.
#6
Got out of shower. Sat on bed to put clothes on. Sat on my balls.
F**k it. I had a good run. Hand me my cane.
Auntriarch 8 months ago
I feel very guilty for laughing, but in my defence I don't have to worry about the aforementioned appendages
Growing old is definitely a surreal feeling—one that might have some overlap with the overall human experience, but mostly it feels very personal. After all, we all experience the world through very slightly nuanced senses, our fates are different, just like our choices in life, and thus we end up with a slightly different result in the end, making our golden years either great or not as much. If at all existent.
#7
TikTok....when that app dropped I just instantly morphed into a dinosaur.
#8
When I started acting like my parents and want to stay home then rather going to parties. Feel excited for decorating or cleaning my house.
#9
Hitting my mid 50's and realising that I was broke and would be working the rest of my life just to survive.
But, there is overlap. A shared experience. Journalist and author Tim Dowling shared his take on becoming 60, and it’s pretty spot on.
Among the 13 points, he listed everything from physical to mental to experiential changes that he went through in his life.
#11
Waking up with back/neck pain cause I slept in the wrong position.
#12
The moment I started considering 9 PM as "late" and got excited about buying a new type of vacuum cleaner.
First, interestingly, is the idea that the real difference between being young and growing old is not physical, nor mental. It’s rather just the cumulative weight of all the years left behind you. Time doesn’t grant wisdom. It just progresses and gets compressed into what feels like a timespan that happened a week or two ago.
#14
My knees crack when I get up. Also, I do that weird dad groan while doing it.
#15
There's a haircut that gen z/alpha have that pisses me off.
I hate that I now get upset by a haircut. I don't want to be old.
Another factor of being old is having to deal with the colossal amount of everything that you’ve probably completely forgotten about over the years. Past holiday experiences, books read, shows watched, friends had—all of it gets shed with time. And that’s fine. Your brain simply conserves space by forgetting things it doesn’t really need.
#16
I call these moments "coffin nails"
1. The first was when I worked at a record store and when chatting with a customer, said customer's kid asked "what's Atari?"
2. Later, a friend of mine worked with teens, one of those teens asked me if I was a skater "back in the day" making me realize my youth was in fact "back in the day" to some people.
3. Hearing music I loved as a teen/young adult on "classic" radio stations.
1. Also being mocked for listening to radio.
4. A couple years ago, I found out I was the same age as a co-worker's mother.
5. As of last year, 2 of my brother's 3 kids are old enough to drink.
6. Just now realizing I'm the same age now as Wilford Brimley was in Cocoon.
It just keeps coming :D.
Wingsofwrath 8 months ago
The fact your choice of movie to reference is "Cocoon" is also a clue, because it came out in 1985 and it's not one of those that get constant reruns...
#17
I'm from the Netherlands were instead of **you** we have two different words for it.
We say "jij" to someone that's younger than you or equal to your age or in informal settings.
We say "u" to people that are older and in formal settings.
I'm 28 and suddenly younger people in restaurants or stores say "u" to me.
That's when I realized I'm getting old.
Someone_from_the_Netherlands 8 months ago
Completely understandable, I am also not a 'jij' person anymore...
#18
I've been out of high school for about as long as current teenagers have been alive.
UpQuarkDownQuark (he/him) 8 months ago
I’ve been out of high school for as long as current teenagers’ parents have been alive.
There also comes a time when sitting down and standing up means making noise. It’s either your knees giving out a pop or you doing what realistically is an involuntary groan.
And there might be an experience when you might think someone’s following you around the store—turns out, it’s just your reflection.
#20
I can no longer function on 4 hours sleep.
Geoffrey Scott 8 months ago
Oh...I can function, but if I get even 10 minutes of downtime, it's "nighty, night".
#21
Coming home from wherever work would send me and trying to hang out with friends. Realizing we had nothing in common anymore beyond the memories.
According to statistics, at least, older folks generally grow to be happy. You might think old age means everything hurts and you’re closer to the end than you have been ever before, but it’s probably all the free time you get to focus on yourself.
But that might always be the case. Age kills ambition because you realize that everyone dies, nothing matters or are hit by a similar sobering realization.
#22
The constant aches and pains.
But the big one was when my hobbies and daydreams changed to stuff like gardening, canning, crocheting, and fixing up my property.
Esme Weatherwax 8 months ago
I often knit on the train on my way to work and frequently get comments from young people saying they didn't know people still knitted. Oh, and, it's good to keep old crafts alive
#24
When buying alcohol at a supermarket someone asked me for ID, and it made me laugh out loud! Also made my day ! I was 42,.
On a lighter note, though, you might notice how older folks always keep the radio (or their equivalent of audio equipment) on. If you’re wondering why they do that—it’s just always been on. You can turn it off once we’re gone.
Also, something to look forward to: older folks tend to be more careful. Despite having avoided every pitfall in life thus far, but still, don’t take risks.
#25
The oldies station was playing songs and I remember when they were released.
Katie Lutesinger 8 months ago
I was in a shop and a song by the Spice Girls started playing. I said "oh man, I remember getting up one morning and the music video for this song had just played on TV for the first time". And the girl behind the counter said "I've never heard it before." I told her at least that means you missed out on not being able to turn around without stepping on another bit of Spice Girls merchandise because for a while there it got absolutely insane.
#26
I remember going to a Best Buy many years ago and the guy ringing the order up looked at my license and said "holy s**t, you were born the year I graduated from high school. I considered myself relatively young until just this moment." I now get where he was coming from.
Tobias Reaper 8 months ago
i was coming home from work and woman was walking with her little one as i walked past she said watch out for the man and another time some kids were playing hide and seek near where i was walking back from work and one popped his head out looked at me worried and said sorry sir
#27
Young people p**s me off and I'm not even 30.
BROmanicus85 8 months ago
Cr@p!! And how is this supposed to make me feel, OP?!?! You're talking about young people angering you, but at your age, you're one of those young people for me... :))
Monotasking also becomes a thing. Mostly because multitasking has become absolutely impossible (pst, it never was, but keep living that lie), but that just means your efforts to foster discipline have not been in vain at this point.
Last, but not least, resistance to change. Old folks hate change because they have to adjust time and time again, and they’re done doing that across many decades
#28
The mirror and the stairs.
UncleJohn3000 8 months ago
This is why our vision fades with age - so our partner's and our own face in the mirror continue to look good.
#29
When I started getting a little bit of gray around my temples and in my beard.
When those "you must have been born before [today's date - 21 years] to legally purchase alcohol" signs started displaying dates after my high school graduation.
And when I started waking up with random aches, despite not having injured myself recently.
Did I say that out loud? (he/him)cis/het 8 months ago
I guess I was lucky. Most of my hair fell out before it went grey.
#30
Asked out a cute girl. At the date, she asked me how old I was. When I told her, she said "yeah, that's a problem". In my defense, I did not realize she was as young as she was. Apparently I don't look my age either.
So, what are your thoughts on any of this? Are you looking forward to being old and frail because you’re gonna have (relatively speaking) all the time in the world? Share your thoughts and stories in the comment section below!
And if you need another hit of the old, we have more.
#31
When a coworker who was in his early 20s didn't know who Jimi Hendrix was.
#32
When I realized that there are people born after me who are now old enough to be president.
Tom Brincefield 8 months ago
My sister is a few months older than Obama. I didn't let her forget she was older than the President.
#33
Oh and also that I’ve had piercings longer than I havent.
Manic Mama 8 months ago
Lol. someone at work asked me recently how long I'd had the 'new' piercings in my ears - and I had to say '40 years'.
#35
How many of my posts were saying, "I remember..." and talking about how things used to be.
#36
I feel guilty for wasting time now.
Did I say that out loud? (he/him)cis/het 8 months ago
I should really stop procrastinating, too. Maybe I'll start tomorrow.
#37
For me, it was moving cities. I was in a sleepier part of the country that had an older population so I didn’t feel my age. Move to where I am now where there is a lot more younger people and I now feel old.
R.A. Haley 8 months ago
My wife and I moved to Alabama. When we got here I couldn't hike across a mile of airport terminal without resting. I barely made it at all and my wife, who is 10 years younger, just boogied right across like it was nothing. August 2nd, 2022 was the day I officially became old.
#39
When I realized I could eat burger for breakfast andno one to forbid me to do that ou buying my on candy whit a money that I owend myself.
Being adult can be dope sometimes.
What do you think ?
Pikkie V 8 months ago (edited)
Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. But no later than 8.30pm, otherwise I can't get to sleep
PFD 8 months ago
I though it was, "Do not go gentle into that good night / Rage, rage and turn off all the lights / It's like Blackpool illuminations in here."
Load More Replies...
Adam Zad 8 months ago
Eight years ago, I pulled into a Del Taco. There was a long line at the drive-through, but the parking lot was empty, so I parked and walked in. Got the two classic burritos for $5 special and was expecting the total to be five and change, so I pulled a five and a single out of my pocket. The CHILD at the counter said, "That'll be $4.85." I thought there might be some kind of Friday night special (completely forgetting that "today" was Thursday). Gave the kid the five and stuck the single back in my pocket. Got my change, food, and receipt and went back to the car. Then, I looked at the receipt and saw The Two Dreaded Words: Senior Discount. I WAS ONLY 48!!
Corvus 8 months ago
I think I realized it when I stopped caring about new tech. Smartphones? Meh. AI? Couldn't care less. And I was such a computer/tech nerd back in the day... (sigh)
Ima Manimal 8 months ago
When I’m thinking of eating something and I stop with “better not, that’s gonna wreck my guts.”
Katie Lutesinger 8 months ago
I bumped into a muscular young man with a beard and realised that this was the tiny six year old boy I used to look after at my first job, all grown up. WTF?! At least he had fond memories of me. ^_^
The Doom Song 8 months ago
Mine is the kids I used to babysit are now marries and have kids of their own now
Load More Replies...
Zedrapazia 8 months ago
I started to feel old when kids started to address me as a ma'am, but it didn't really hit me until the day I saw the videogame console I had as a kid now been considered retro.
Daya Meyer 8 months ago
"The young people nowadays...." Catched myself beginning a sentence with those words.
UpQuarkDownQuark (he/him) 8 months ago
My wife and I had one of our building neighbors over for dinner the other night. Lovely person. She’s 23, and somehow, despite having lived her entire existence in the 21st century, is a full-blown, married adult. How is that possible?! My library card in my wallet is 26!
Auntriarch 8 months ago
Exactly! I mean they're still embryos aren't they
Load More Replies...
Todd Goodrich 8 months ago
I have t-shirts older than our new hires. I was a work last week when one of my fellow co-workers asked me about the band on my T-shirt (an Iron Maiden concert shirt from 2001) and then proceeded to tell me they hadn't even been born yet. Sheesh.
Lord of the laserprinter. 8 months ago
When some little s**t stood up on a full bus and offered me his seat.
TheElderNom 8 months ago
My grandmother would always say that she didn't feel old until she looked at her grandchildren, then she felt ancient.
ElvenFairy 7 months ago
My youngest son is now the same age as I was when I was pregnant with my eldest son. That reminds me how old I am. Then I remember I am only 42 and that's really not that old, but having grown up kids sure makes you feel it.
Jesha 8 months ago
My parents owned a video store way back in the 90s, and I got nosy a few months ago and decided to try and look to see if the internet knew about it at all. I found one of the pins that I helped make! Yay! ... labeled as 'vintage' on eBay. My best friend has been making Mock of me super hard about it :(
AngelWingsYT 8 months ago
1. The kid who asked what a VHS was 2. Shrek 2 is now 20 years old...I was 9 when it came out and Star Wars 1 is 25 years old (id have been 4 when it came out...in older than Star Wars 1) 3. Ppl born in 2003 are 21
Octavia Hansen 8 months ago
Hated when I was no longer addressed as "Miss", now it's "Ma'am." And now my dating pool is made up of men who look more like my dad. OUCH!
MagicJacket 8 months ago
Was at the dog park yesterday. Saw a Jack Russell Terrier and said "he looks a lot like Eddie from the Frasier TV show." Dog's owner said "I've never heard of that show."
Sky Render 8 months ago
I remember feeling old when I realized that the first video game console I bought with my own money as an adult (the PS2) was old enough to be considered retro (ie. 15+ years old). Now the console generation after that is old enough to be considered retro, and the one after it is going to hit that milestone in a mere 4 years.
Superb Owl 8 months ago
Left knee creaking when I go up the stairs, the grunting sounds I make when getting up, and to really drive it home, the 30th birthday of my daughter.
Hyppymom the Only 8 months ago
I realized my age when talking to someone younger and I'd say "back in my day" and then I hear a youngster say "back in the day I........... " My response - "as in back in the day before yesterday?"
censorshipsucks 8 months ago
When you feel the urge to say "Stop skatin on the sidewalk" or "Get off my lawn". I say these as self-deprecatory humour when someone wants to show me some new TV show.
Pikkie V 8 months ago (edited)
Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. But no later than 8.30pm, otherwise I can't get to sleep
PFD 8 months ago
I though it was, "Do not go gentle into that good night / Rage, rage and turn off all the lights / It's like Blackpool illuminations in here."
Load More Replies... Adam Zad 8 months ago
Eight years ago, I pulled into a Del Taco. There was a long line at the drive-through, but the parking lot was empty, so I parked and walked in. Got the two classic burritos for $5 special and was expecting the total to be five and change, so I pulled a five and a single out of my pocket. The CHILD at the counter said, "That'll be $4.85." I thought there might be some kind of Friday night special (completely forgetting that "today" was Thursday). Gave the kid the five and stuck the single back in my pocket. Got my change, food, and receipt and went back to the car. Then, I looked at the receipt and saw The Two Dreaded Words: Senior Discount. I WAS ONLY 48!!
Corvus 8 months ago
I think I realized it when I stopped caring about new tech. Smartphones? Meh. AI? Couldn't care less. And I was such a computer/tech nerd back in the day... (sigh)
Ima Manimal 8 months ago
When I’m thinking of eating something and I stop with “better not, that’s gonna wreck my guts.”
Katie Lutesinger 8 months ago
I bumped into a muscular young man with a beard and realised that this was the tiny six year old boy I used to look after at my first job, all grown up. WTF?! At least he had fond memories of me. ^_^
The Doom Song 8 months ago
Mine is the kids I used to babysit are now marries and have kids of their own now
Load More Replies... Zedrapazia 8 months ago
I started to feel old when kids started to address me as a ma'am, but it didn't really hit me until the day I saw the videogame console I had as a kid now been considered retro.
Daya Meyer 8 months ago
"The young people nowadays...." Catched myself beginning a sentence with those words.
UpQuarkDownQuark (he/him) 8 months ago
My wife and I had one of our building neighbors over for dinner the other night. Lovely person. She’s 23, and somehow, despite having lived her entire existence in the 21st century, is a full-blown, married adult. How is that possible?! My library card in my wallet is 26!
Auntriarch 8 months ago
Exactly! I mean they're still embryos aren't they
Load More Replies... Todd Goodrich 8 months ago
I have t-shirts older than our new hires. I was a work last week when one of my fellow co-workers asked me about the band on my T-shirt (an Iron Maiden concert shirt from 2001) and then proceeded to tell me they hadn't even been born yet. Sheesh.
Lord of the laserprinter. 8 months ago
When some little s**t stood up on a full bus and offered me his seat.
TheElderNom 8 months ago
My grandmother would always say that she didn't feel old until she looked at her grandchildren, then she felt ancient.
ElvenFairy 7 months ago
My youngest son is now the same age as I was when I was pregnant with my eldest son. That reminds me how old I am. Then I remember I am only 42 and that's really not that old, but having grown up kids sure makes you feel it.
Jesha 8 months ago
My parents owned a video store way back in the 90s, and I got nosy a few months ago and decided to try and look to see if the internet knew about it at all. I found one of the pins that I helped make! Yay! ... labeled as 'vintage' on eBay. My best friend has been making Mock of me super hard about it :(
AngelWingsYT 8 months ago
1. The kid who asked what a VHS was 2. Shrek 2 is now 20 years old...I was 9 when it came out and Star Wars 1 is 25 years old (id have been 4 when it came out...in older than Star Wars 1) 3. Ppl born in 2003 are 21
Octavia Hansen 8 months ago
Hated when I was no longer addressed as "Miss", now it's "Ma'am." And now my dating pool is made up of men who look more like my dad. OUCH!
MagicJacket 8 months ago
Was at the dog park yesterday. Saw a Jack Russell Terrier and said "he looks a lot like Eddie from the Frasier TV show." Dog's owner said "I've never heard of that show."
Sky Render 8 months ago
I remember feeling old when I realized that the first video game console I bought with my own money as an adult (the PS2) was old enough to be considered retro (ie. 15+ years old). Now the console generation after that is old enough to be considered retro, and the one after it is going to hit that milestone in a mere 4 years.
Superb Owl 8 months ago
Left knee creaking when I go up the stairs, the grunting sounds I make when getting up, and to really drive it home, the 30th birthday of my daughter.
Hyppymom the Only 8 months ago
I realized my age when talking to someone younger and I'd say "back in my day" and then I hear a youngster say "back in the day I........... " My response - "as in back in the day before yesterday?"
censorshipsucks 8 months ago
When you feel the urge to say "Stop skatin on the sidewalk" or "Get off my lawn". I say these as self-deprecatory humour when someone wants to show me some new TV show.
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