Do you act your age? Do you feel more mature or immature than your real age?

Question

ChurchOfIron · Accepted Answer

Frankly, I've found that most adults are not particularly mature. Most people spend their days dwelling in the "naive perspective". This is the perspective we have when we are children. Viewing other people through the lens of our own needs and desires. We tend to project that onto other people. And when we start working, we project our experiences with authority onto our bosses and coworkers, etc.

Everything we do, everything we think, it builds the structures of the brain and reinforces those patterns, thoughts, and behaviors. Do that for a couple weeks, it becomes a habit. Do it for a couple years, it becomes a personality. Do it for a couple decades, it becomes who you are. [Dr. Joe Dispenza]. Our thoughts and behaviors *create* who we are.

Most people--to me, it seems--tend to function primarily on that "zombie mode", acting out a set of predetermined behaviors and perspectives, generally from the "naive perspective": i. e. from the "how does this affect/benefit *me*" perspective. I slip into that often, as well; but, I make it a point to try to focus outwardly and think from other peoples' perspectives, desires, and motivations. Which can be quite suffocating; but, I'm learning how to balance it.

Neuroscience backs this up. 95% of who we are when we are 35 is a set of pre-programmed behaviors. Within that 5% is a lot of capability to *change*, but the older you get, the harder it is. It requires conscious dedication to evolving.

And most people don't do that. Mostly because they're too busy, prolly. I had a lot of free time in my younger years, so I had a lot of time to dedicate to evolving my perspective, thought process, and philosophy.

I still have a long way to go, though. Of course, we're never complete.

You're young, yet. Remember. You create yourself. Everything you do; everything you think; every positive or negative emotion you allow--it becomes more likely to happen and be integrated into who you are. Meditation is a means to go "outside yourself" and makes you more capable of viewing behaviors/actions/thoughts that you do not want to be a part of who you are.

curiousnorway · Accepted Answer

I guess it depends. I've for instance dirty humor, talks to myself and to objects (pictures, sculptures, stuffed animals etc.) when I'm at home alone and are more fascinated with morbid things than my peers. In that sense I would say I'm relatively "immature". I loves "sausage in hot dog bread" kind of humor, joking about death and inappropriate things. I do it mostly to myself and in front of people who can handle it though. My math skills also sucks, so they've to be improved and I've not learned to drive yet. In addition I wants to study a little bit more before getting a job, while my peers also works in addition to the studies.

My more mature sides is my interest in politics and art. I've many opinions in politics, while many of my peers feels indifferent about it and lacks interests. I may be more interested in analyzing art than some other people too. Another thing is that I prefer to not drink alcohol, I avoids smoking and snuff. I also prefer being carefully around sex because of unwanted pregnancies can happen and I've conservative views around family planning.

Melshmallow046 · Accepted Answer

I don't like saying I'm mature for my age–I've always felt like if you have to say it, you're not. But growing up as an only child, I interacted with adults from a young age and I've often found people around my age to seem a but young. At 16 I traveled to Ottawa by myself for a week, and on my 18th birthday I flew to Costa Rica by myself to take a TEFL course, then after that was finished, moved to Quebec, three time zones from my hometown. Some of my really close friends are my age, but a lot of them are 25+, including my boyfriend. My nickname with some friends is "grandma" 😛

loveisbeautiful · Accepted Answer

I think I'm an even balance of both, mature when required but immature when I feel like. When I say immature, I mean I'm always going to have some kid like qualities to me, like my love for stuffed animals lol.

JackSmy · Answer

I try to never 'act my age' as I don't know what that even means!! I am me, and just go with things, and people are confused, when I have a birthday, and some 'friend' leaks it, though I don't want!!
Nobody can guess my age, within 3 years, because I don't look as 'old' as I am, and I often act, and relate, to others, like I was a decade younger!
Mental age? Why? Liking Sesame Street, and Schoolhouse Rock, but then switch to Game of Thrones?
You are how 'OLD' as you BELIEVE you are!!
I just saw something about a woman, over 100 years old, breaking records, running, in the Senior Games!

normalice · Answer

Once you learn that other people are capable of full satisfying lives, just as you are, there isn't really much else to accomplish in the pursuit of maturity - everything else is just semantics or figuring out what to do with this information.

And I learned this at about 20. So, I effectively have had the maturity of an immortal my entire adult life. However, if there are other interpretations of maturity, I don't pay them much attention, and thus likely have not become more mature by those definitions. But I would also consider other definitions to be immature definitions, so there is that..

litty · Answer

Age is relative when it comes to activities. Like kids may play videogames, but so do 30+ years old. Tag might be considered a childrens game, but it's also a professional sport.

Some people just need to reach certain milestones or else they are stuck in the past. Like having job responsibilities, you need to prepare yourself and look professional or else you look you've never worked before. Or when someone hasn't been in a relationship or in a while and they start getting jealous because they haven't reached a certain self-assurance they'll be fine without.

One 25 year old guy I'm acquainted with lost all his friends because his ex-friend spread rumors that he was cheating on his girlfriend (who didn't trust him either). That's what i'd call high school drama.

AlienParasite · Answer

I sometimes I act mature for my age other times I behave really childish, it depends on context. I believe I'm balanced, but I feel like my close family don't trust enaugh my maturity despite I showed I'm more than able to handle certain situations all by myself. I suppose that when you are the younger kid people tend to see you more inmature by defect.

CubsterShura · Answer

I feel mature in some ways and immature in other ways. In behavior and certain life experiences, along with positive interactions with people has aged me beyond my years in some ways... But I'm the youngest sibling in a family that has pampered me from childhood sooooo

btbc92 · Answer

I act and feel more older than my age. I feel like 62 and older than that. When tgey talked about old souls, they weren't kidding. I have never felt younger. But there are times and days where I want to feel like my age when I was younger than not to. To be mature or immature is a choice, however, and I never liked the feelings of doing so other than being myself.

Anonymous · Answer

I don't act my age. I don't feel like a grown up. I have a hard time doing grown up stuff. Especially saying no, maintaining boundaries, maintaining frame and earning respect. I hope to solve these issues. I am thinking of getting professional help but I can't afford that as of yet.

Just_a_human · Answer

I don't know if I act my age or not. I'm not sure about my maturity level either, I don't have anyone to compare it to.

RussianNestingDoll · Answer

Pick an age you like and stay there as long as you are using your intellect and allowing yourself to grow as a person, adding value to society. I look 30 and my thirties were my happiest decade so I decided I’m 30 again. Everyone believes it so yolo.

AlexBlack007 · Answer

Mature and immature both depending on time and place. 😅 But mostly more mature than my age. My family says I talk and behave like an old man with 200 years worth of wisdom in my brain. They say I was already 80 at the age of 5. 😆

Anonymous · Answer

I am actually pretty wise and mature for my age. Answer mine. It may be shadowbanned so that only people opposing me can see it.

Anonymous · Answer

I don't really know about mature, I play video games and I am 37. But I feel way smarter than my age. I mean when I think mature I think of your body breaking down type stuff. I mean I haven't drank a drop in years, and I kicked the habit of doing any type of drug many years ago. I am very disciplined for a man (or woman) of my age. people probably think women are more mature but even with women I just feel much smarter than the vast majority of anybody man woman or child.

young_old_soul · Answer

I act far older than my age. I am frequently told that I act more like an old man than like a millennial. I have a strong disgust for contemporary millennial culture, and admire the way things were back in the good old days long before my time.

CaffeinatedCactus · Answer

I've always been very mature for my age. People usually assume I'm a lot older than I really am. Mostly it depresses me because i really dont feel like i ever got to be crazy and have fun and now i really am an adult and dont have an excuse

call_me_scar · Answer

Well let's see I smoke weed, go to college, pay Bill's for my mom who has lupus, I got a mostly safe job and I baby sit my nephew and do my best to give him an good childhood and make jokes and puns 24/7 so I'd say I'm fairly mature

Jjpayne · Answer

I kinda do but most of the time I feel like a scared 12 year old

Nadim171 · Answer

More mature in appearance and thinking, like I'm intrested in politics and history and religion. But sometimes I do some immature things like I'm still afraid of horror movies and the dark

just_a_potato · Answer

I feel more immature for my age even though I've been told the opposite, it's a nice compliment but most of the people who make them change their minds once they spend enough time with me 😂

morimeme1 · Answer

Weirly enough I have always felt more mature than my age and have been told that I seem so but now I feel more comfortable than I used to with my age.

SnowFoxy1 · Answer

I think my mental age is approximately 30. Online, that's usually what people guess if they don't know. Somewhere around there.

Hurlyburly · Answer

I manage to act like an adult in most social situations but deep down I still feel like 13 years old 😅

CherryRoseChampange · Answer

I suppose so? I've never been this age before so I just act how I feel and think is appropriate for me. Then go from there.

TheSoundOfSilas · Answer

Hell nah. I feel like because my parents are old enough to be my grandparents, the lost generation was dumped on me and that's why I'm such a sullen old fart.

bolverk · Answer

Way more immature, will willingly help my nephews set up their toys, as the old phrase goes, 'When I cannot play any more then its time to screw down the lid'

blondfrog · Answer

I don't even care that's how much I care. Anybody who makes the whole I am more mature than you debate or slanders others for it are actually the ones who are immature themselves. We are all immature in our own ways and to certain extents.

Piteka5 · Answer

I'm both, when I complain about kids nowadays doing graffiti and sit down to discuss philosophy I seems like and old man. But at the same time I love to fool around, play some pranks and tell jokes and that makes me look immature

Nayrr · Answer

I can in certain situations. Being immature is too much fun tho.

AircraftCarrier · Answer

When I want to be, I have the wisdom of a 40 year old, and sometimes my mind acts like a nine year old. Usually I'm in the middle but gradually accepting adulthood.

sonnysunshine · Answer

I was known as “mature” when I was a kid but I felt myself rebel a bit in my 20s. Like I missed out on something.

Anyway as long as I’m financially independent and successful I can do whatever I want. I am both.

natzz · Answer

I feel really childish. Even if most of my friends are older than me - I feel like a kid in a grownup body

GraveDoll · Answer

mental older than most.. I always been that way though.

That_Skinny_Chick · Answer

Do i fall into the sterotype commonly associated with people my age? No.

Anonymous · Answer

I feel more mature then my 32 year old self. My life got flipped upside down, turned inside out @ age 14 suffering a traumatic brain injury. I had roughly 8yrs of retraining my body to function amid constant muscle tensions on 1/2 of my body along with relearning how to create and maintain new memories.

KaliMe · Answer

I've always acted more mature than my age, however my age is starting to catch up to that number!

MemeSupreme · Answer

Sometimes I feel like I'm more mature and other times I feel like I'm more immature

cute_snowflake · Answer

Depends. Responsibilities? Immature. Way of thinking? Mature

kaewk · Answer

I don’t know anymore. Sometimes I feel so smart, then so dumb.

Clo917 · Answer

Depends. I'm usually mature I think, but sometimes I let the immature side of me have some fun.

DDpsy · Answer

I was a lot more mature i. e stuck up in my early/mid 20s. Had the biggest stick up the ass ever. I serenely don't give a shit any more these days though.

Aiko_E_Lara · Answer

Mind yes. Heart nope. I still play with toys stuff toys, Nintendo and figures and enjoy little things like what kids enjoy but responsibilities first. Business is business.

Bismarck_96 · Answer

Depends on my mood sometimes flashbacks do cause me behave differently but with stress, bills, and work I’m just fighting for survival like every adult

lsjr16 · Answer

Not sure I think I am more responsible than most 26 years old however I can act like a child when I believe I am right in an argument or feel I was done wrong

alice55 · Answer

I'm pretty immature on some things and pretty mature on others so it's hard to tell

jgokgotit · Answer

I believe I act older and am more mature than my age.

FrenchGirl2 · Answer

I adapt. But mostly I'm older than people of my age. I connect with people way much older than me

Meditatingsquirrel79 · Answer

No. I am 40 but still at the age of 16. All the time.

kitty71 · Answer

Ohh i know some mid age guys who do not act their age and act like if they are teenagers still with cocky and arrogance attitude

lucidhope · Answer

Im mature for my age but I’ve always leaned more towards “kiddy things” 🙃

DanishSaint · Answer

my actual age plus roughly my actual age would probably be somewhat accurate, give or take...

SexyAshh · Answer

I feel waaay older then my age and am told as well. Thats why i tend to date older

Haelaeix123 · Answer

Im more mature than my age, have been since about 15

Lgmswolf024 · Answer

I have my moments. Sometimes I may be mature other times I'm immature. I just need to grow more and hopefully I become fore mature

Anonymous · Answer

When it comes to work and earning a paycheck, far older than my age. When it's time to party, far younger

genericname85 · Answer

no i don't act my age cause i hate this fussy deadlocked live people my age usually lead.

adolescentswede · Answer

I am not convinced i got age prejudices in this way

Nonbinary · Answer

I low key feel 18. And is backfiring me way too hard tbh

Anonymous · Answer

I feel more mature than my age>.< as if I was 20 or older, but sometimes I feel more immature than my age, probably cause I was recently told I have mild autism, and it fucks with my head sometimes.

Swat_ · Answer

Either I am acting mature, or my peers are incredibly immature. (A bit of both I feel tho.)

GiggleManiac · Answer

I do act my age and feel more mature as I get older than how I was when I was a teenager.

Liam_Hayden · Answer

Both. I am extremely responsible, yet enjoy some child-like vices like collecting action figures.

Do you act your age? Do you feel more mature or immature than your real age?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said