Getting older is a strange experience, to say the very least.
One minute, you’re young and carefree, rolling your eyes at people complaining about their knees, and the next, you’re making that exact same groan when you stand up. The realisation that you’re not as young as you used to be can hit at the most unexpected moments, and when it does, it’s usually accompanied by a flood of depressing thoughts. Ageing isn’t all bad, but let’s be honest—some parts of it are a bit of a shock. Here are some of the more common thoughts that creep in when you realise you’re officially getting older.
1. “Why does everything hurt now?”
At some point, you wake up and realise your back, knees, or shoulders hurt for no obvious reason. You didn’t do anything extreme—no wild night out, no intense workout—just normal, everyday life, yet somehow, your body is protesting. It’s the moment you realise recovery time isn’t what it used to be. A simple bad sleep position can leave you in pain for days, and your joints seem to have a mind of their own. The worst part? This is just how things are now.
2. “How do teenagers look like actual children?”
One day, you see a group of high school kids and think, “Oh, they must be in middle school.” But no, they’re actual teenagers, and you’re just at that age where everyone under 20 looks like a baby. It’s a harsh realisation that the cool, independent teenagers you once related to now seem impossibly young. Worse, when you hear them talking, you don’t understand half of the slang they’re using.
3. “Why am I getting excited about kitchen appliances?”
There was a time when you couldn’t have cared less about things like vacuum cleaners, air fryers, or a really good set of pots and pans. Now? You find yourself thrilled about a new toaster with extra-wide slots. When a new household gadget makes your day, it’s a clear sign you’ve entered full adulthood. And let’s be honest—getting excited about homeware isn’t even bad. It’s just a little depressing that this is what happiness looks like now.
4. “Hangovers last HOW long?”
Remember when you could have a big night out and bounce back with nothing more than a coffee and a nap? Those days are gone. Now, even two drinks can leave you regretting everything the next morning. Hangovers used to be an inconvenience, but now they feel like a full-body betrayal. Dehydration, headaches, random aches—you swear you didn’t even drink that much, but apparently, your body disagrees.
5. “Is it too late to change careers?”
At some point, you realise you’ve been doing the same job for a long time. Maybe you enjoy it, maybe you don’t, but the thought creeps in: “Am I stuck with this forever?” Seeing younger colleagues jump between jobs and chase new careers can make you question your own path. The idea of starting over feels exhausting, yet the thought of staying where you are forever is equally unsettling.
6. “Why does everyone call me ‘sir’ or ‘ma’am’ now?”
It starts subtly—maybe a cashier refers to you as “sir” or “ma’am,” and you laugh it off. But then it happens again, and again, and you realise: people genuinely see you as an older adult. You’re no longer in the “young and carefree” category. To teenagers and kids, you’re officially one of the grown-ups, whether you feel like one or not.
7. “Do I actually enjoy staying in more than going out?”
When you were younger, the idea of spending a Friday night at home seemed tragic. Now, nothing sounds better than being on the couch, in comfy clothes, with a good film and no obligations. There’s something oddly comforting about not having plans, but it also makes you wonder: when did I stop wanting to go out? And more importantly, why does staying in feel so much better?
8. “What happened to music?”
You used to be up-to-date with the latest songs and artists. Now, whenever you turn on the radio, it feels like an alien language. Who are these people? Why does everything sound the same? The worst part is that you catch yourself saying things like, “Music was just better back in the day.” And just like that, you’ve become every older person you used to roll your eyes at.
9. “I need to stretch before I do… anything.”
Gone are the days of jumping out of bed and starting your day without issue. Now, if you don’t stretch, you’ll feel it. Sitting too long? You’ll feel it. Walking too much? You’ll feel it. Basic movements come with added risk. You start warming up before housework, stretching before standing up too fast, and cracking your back just because you can.
10. “I should probably start thinking about skincare.”
Wrinkles, fine lines, dark circles—suddenly, your face is changing in ways you never noticed before. And now, every skincare advertisement feels personally targeted at you. You once rolled your eyes at anti-ageing products. Now, you’re seriously considering investing in an eye cream and looking up “best retinol for beginners.”
11. “How is it possible to be this tired all the time?”
Even after a full night’s sleep, you’re still tired. Not just a little sleepy, either—properly exhausted. No amount of caffeine or naps seem to fix it. When did energy become such a limited resource? You start reminiscing about the days when you could pull an all-nighter and still function. Those days are gone now.
12. “Why do teenagers dress like it’s the early 2000s?”
Fashion trends are circling back, and suddenly, teenagers are wearing the exact outfits you wore as a teenager. Low-rise jeans, baggy clothes, chokers—it’s all making a comeback. But instead of feeling nostalgic, it just makes you feel old. You lived through that fashion era, and you know how questionable some of those choices were.
13. “Am I the only one who doesn’t care about new trends?”
There was a time when you kept up with every new social media app, every trend, and every viral moment. Now? You can’t be bothered. At some point, you stop caring about being trendy and just stick with what’s comfortable. And honestly, it’s kind of freeing until you realise it’s exactly what your parents used to do.
14. “Why do I genuinely love a good early night?”
Staying up late used to be the norm. Now, when someone suggests meeting up at 9 p.m., you’re wondering if that’s too late to commit to plans. Nothing beats a solid night of sleep, and you fully understand why older generations always talked about how much they valued rest.
15. “I kind of miss my younger self.”
Even with all the perks of growing older, there’s a bittersweet feeling that comes with realising your younger years are behind you. The energy, the freedom, the lack of responsibilities—it was fun while it lasted. But at the same time, there’s a quiet comfort in knowing yourself better, caring less about what people think, and embracing the life you’ve built. Getting older isn’t all bad, it’s just… different.
