We all want to stay as young as we can for as long as we can, but it’s far too easy to fall into the trap of feeling older than you actually are.
Maybe you groan a little when you stand up, you don’t recognise half the names in the charts anymore, or you catch yourself saying, “Back in my day…” But the truth is, age is just a state of mind in many ways, and chances are, you’re not as old as you think. Here are some things that might just make you realise you’ve still got plenty of time left to enjoy, grow, and have fun.
1. You still get excited about little things.
Whether it’s getting your favourite snack on sale, grabbing the perfect window seat on the train, or finding a £10 note in your pocket, you still get those little bursts of excitement. If you were truly old, you’d be too jaded to care, but the fact that these small things still bring you joy means your youthful spark is alive and well. Age doesn’t steal that sense of wonder; it just adds more appreciation for the little things in life.
2. There are people twice your age doing incredible things.
Think you’re too old to start something new? There are people in their 80s running marathons, learning new skills, and setting up businesses. Vera Wang didn’t design her first dress until she was 40, and Samuel L. Jackson didn’t get his big Hollywood break until he was 46. If they can do all that later in life, then whatever age you are now is definitely not too late to do whatever you want.
3. You still have “your songs.”
When a song from your teenage years comes on, and you immediately feel the urge to sing along, that’s proof you’ve still got youthful energy in you. Nostalgia isn’t about feeling old; it’s about reliving the moments that made you feel alive. And if you still go all in when your favourite tune comes on, whether it’s at a party, in the car, or just in your kitchen, you’re not old — you’re just experienced in good music.
4. You can still keep up with technology (mostly).
Sure, you might not know all the latest TikTok trends or fully understand what Gen Z means by “rizz,” but you can still navigate new apps, update your phone, and stream your favourite shows without asking a teenager for help. As long as you’re not completely baffled by technology and can hold your own with a smartphone, you’re still very much in the game.
5. You don’t have to ask a child to fix your Wi-Fi.
One of the ultimate signs that someone is struggling with modern life is when they rely on their kids (or grandkids) to fix every tech issue. If you’re still managing to reset your router, update your software, and troubleshoot the occasional glitch, then congratulations—you’re not as out of touch as you think. Knowing your way around a streaming service or setting up a new gadget by yourself means you’re still keeping up just fine.
6. You still enjoy learning new things.
Feeling old isn’t about age; it’s about curiosity. The moment you stop being interested in learning, growing, or trying new experiences, that’s when you really start to feel your years. But if you’re still picking up new hobbies, reading about things that fascinate you, or even just watching random documentaries on Netflix, your mind is still as fresh as ever.
7. You still laugh at silly things.
Whether it’s a ridiculous meme, a well-timed dad joke, or a clip of someone hilariously failing at something online, if you can still find humour in the little things, then your sense of fun is still fully intact. People who feel truly old tend to take life too seriously. The fact that you still find joy in silly, unexpected moments proves you’re not one of them.
8. You don’t feel like an actual adult.
Most of us thought we’d have everything figured out by a certain age, but the truth is, nobody really feels like they’ve “arrived” at adulthood. Even the most responsible people still have moments of wondering when they’re going to feel like a proper grown-up. If you still catch yourself thinking, “Shouldn’t I feel more mature by now?”—guess what? You’re not as old as you think.
9. There are trends from your childhood coming back.
When you see teenagers rocking the fashion, music, and culture you grew up with, it’s a reminder that you were never out of touch — things just go in cycles. Baggy jeans, 90s-style trainers, and even Y2K flip phones are making a comeback. So, if you’re seeing all your old favourites reappear, it’s proof that your era wasn’t that long ago after all.
10. You still make plans for the future.
Old is when you stop thinking about the future and only look back. If you’re still making exciting plans like booking holidays, setting career goals, or just deciding to redecorate your living room, you’re proving to yourself that there’s plenty still to come. Having things to look forward to keeps you feeling young, no matter what the calendar says.
11. You can still stay up late (if you really need to).
Yes, you might prefer an early night these days, but when the occasion calls for it — whether it’s a night out, a party, or just binge-watching a show — you can still push through. If you can stay up late and still function the next day (even if it requires caffeine), then you’ve still got some youthful resilience left in you.
12. You still get excited about your birthday.
People who truly feel old dread their birthdays, but if you still enjoy celebrating, even if it’s just an excuse for cake or a day off work, then you’re doing just fine. A birthday isn’t about getting older; it’s about celebrating another year of life, and the fact that you still look forward to it proves you’re far from past it.
13. You don’t actually feel old most of the time
Sure, you might get the occasional ache or grumble about how things “used to be better,” but if you really think about it, you don’t feel that different from how you did years ago. Age is mostly perception. If you still feel like yourself, still have things that make you happy, and still approach life with energy, then you’re not old — you’re just evolving.
14. You realise there’s no actual age limit for fun.
At some point, we were all made to believe that certain things have an age limit, whether it’s wearing certain clothes, trying a new hobby, or having fun in the way we used to. But the truth is, nobody gets to decide that for you. If you’re still dancing in the kitchen, making ridiculous jokes with your friends, or enjoying things simply because they make you happy, then you’re not old—you’re just living life the way it’s meant to be lived.
