Why do I feel older than my age?

Question

I’m 26 but I have been feeling 40+ for the past 3 years or so. When I was 21 I still felt young. I felt like I could disappear somewhere and come back few days later and it would have no real effect on anything. I could live in the now and all my problems were so menial. But I also remember having friends who were 24-27 and they weren’t that different from my 21 year old self; they would spend their weekends partying and had situationships and lived paycheck to paycheck etc. Now that I’m their age, I’m nothing like this. I work a big corporate job, I’m saving, I worry a whole lot about taxes and the economy and spend hours doing research on best housing markets. And maybe that sounds good & mature to some but I really don’t want to be like this so soon. I find myself walking past a group of early 20 year olds going on a night out and think, ‘ahh I remember being young!’. I don’t really know what is the root cause of it all but I get the feeling that I’ll regret feeling like this through my 20s when I’m actually older. Any advice from anyone who hit the same bump?

Finchie40 · Accepted Answer

It sounds like you are just maturing faster that’s all, Your job could be making you feel that way as welll , you ever hear someone say , you have a big girl job? Meaning a job where you are capable of being independent and supporting yourself. Some jobs have that effect on people because you pretty much get so wrapped up in your job , that you tend to forget about how you use to be before entering into that job. Mainly because most of your time is revolved around that job to the point you feel like you really don’t have any time for yourself , almost like the job owns you and controls you. Corporate jobs have that effect on people and you start to think maybe you are missing out on things , but the truth is you aren’t really Missing out on much of anything , the only thing you are missing out on is taking time for yourself, so I suggest that you take some time for yourself , take a vacation , cash in some of your PTO and go party and relax , put all your work aside and focus on yourself , it doesn’t make you a bad person for taking some quality time for yourself , it sounds like you are just so wrapped up in your job that you put all of your time into that job. It happens to most of us.

BCRanger10 · Accepted Answer

I don't think your situation is that unique. It's been observed that younger generations look older than they are and there are plenty of reasons why this might be.

As for you, my first questions are what are you eating (and how much), what are you drinking (and how much), do you smoke at all, how much sleep are you getting, how much time do you spend watching TV, and do you get any exercise?

I'd also ask about your outlook and social health. Do you go to church at all, do you have friends or family you meet with? Are you in therapy or on meds?

Those are just a few things I'd wonder about if you're feeling this way. And honestly, I don't think you're alone. It's been observed that Gen Z members and younger look and feel older than they actually are.

KBird · Accepted Answer

I felt this way earlier this year! I met with my doctor, got some blood tests done, and was diagnosed with PCOS, Celiac Disease, Lactose Intolerance and reoccurring SIBO. Due to the SIBO and the PCOS I had a hormonal imbalances that I've apparently had most of my life. This caused malnutrition, such as Vitamin D, Iron and Vitamin B12, which all help to provide energy. By changing my diet and now taking certain medications, I feel back to my old self. Also establishing a specific daily routine, like starting my day off with a chore, eating 6 small meals a day, and exercising in the evening, also helped to rejuvenate me. I've also cut out caffeine, which was tough at first, but SERIOUSLY helped. All in all, I would go and see your doctor!

4ngelic · Accepted Answer

i do but not really because of my behavior or my lifestyle. like i've started feeling a bit old since last year but ever since i turned 23 i feel a million years old for some reason, and that i'm rotting. and i'm hyper aware my youth is slipping by and it's so scary and depressing. and it makes me feel like a 40yo.

Levin · Answer

Morning Grandma.

Well, seems like you're taking life too seriously, for a start.

I'm, quite frightingly, almost 40. And feel younger and lighter than I've ever felt.

Some kind of meta-reflection, shall we say, may be in order. Some kind of deeper connection to things, to self, to spirituality.

Undoubtedly, things are tough out there. And people are going increasingly bonkers. But there's more to life than one's worldly problems. For sure, they are important and to be worked on, but they're just one perspective. It's becoming ever more important to go inwards.

"A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul." Goethe

ChiTown33 · Answer

That's normal. We all feel that way when we pass the milestones (sweet)16, 18 (legal), 21 etc. At 25 you're well into adulthood. I felt the same way when I was 25.

Let me tell you something. You're the captain of your ship that is your life, not other people. I sometimes think I was too serious when I was young as well. But now I have good retirement nest egg while many of my peers are panicking as they're just now starting. You're young enough still now that you see people your age taking different routes in life. But those lives haven't played out for a few decades. You're going to see the results of those lives in 20 years. I'm not trying to discourage you from having fun. Because I'm old enough now that I realize that it's the journey in life that matters, not the destination. I still wouldn't go back and change the way my life played out. Because I'm quite content at my age.

HawkPerception · Answer

The fact that you're asking this question shows you're still young at heart. You might feel a bit out of place because life has forced you to mature at a faster rate than your peers and you might just have an inclination towards philosophy and understand what you want in life and how to get it more so than others. Either way, there are many people like you out there, although I would say they're definitely in the minority of younger people.

Drewtate · Answer

Probably not eating right, not exercising right and not getting enough sleep at night. I would start there. You should also look into your caffeine intake as too much caffeine is a bad thing, it lifts you up and then you crash but you don't get the same effect. Drink more water.

Start going to a health sweet at least once a year.

BobbieBoy666 · Answer

Feeling older than your age can be caused by several factors12:Age regression: Mentally retreating to an earlier age can make you feel older.
Physical inactivity: Lack of exercise accelerates aging and is associated with chronic diseases.
Lack of mental stimulation: Neglecting mental activity can also contribute to feeling older.

exitseven · Answer

It all started when I had kids. I had a job and a wife and a house and a mortgage. I was paying taxes, insurance, utilities and doctors bills. I was 26 and watching my friends having fun going on vacations and other events. You might be depressed. Try to get some excessive. Try to find a couple of friends wand work towards having some fun.

Staximus · Answer

Welcome to adult life, you have to grow up and accept responsibility for yourself eventually. The bills aren't going to pay themselves. Sounds like you are doing a good job, keep up the good work. If you don't want to worry about being responsible and paying your own bills, you can always marry a rich guy, be a bum, or get rich and retire.

BadApple69 · Answer

Lime disease. Joking but only a little. Bring it up with your doctor and let him run some tests. Maybe it’s something physical.

paledreams · Answer

I've always felt older until I actually hit my stride around my late 20s to now and ongoing - I feel even more energetic or the same energy as in - I feel younger and enthusiastic for life 😋😈🧬

SeriouslyNotSerious · Answer

You were just thinking about your future while they're wasting time. But if you want to have fun, it's not too late for a 26 year old, tbh. 😗

normalice · Answer

Aging can hit kind of abruptly. Diet and exercise can help mitigate and push some of it off, though..

Dongie · Answer

I would say you are entering adulthood. It gets great as you hit 30. Feels like you own the world. I theorize that most reach adulthood between 29 to 31. Girls perhaps a couple years earlier. I at 31. And I still feel 31 now, inside you know.

PBandJ_Nerd · Answer

I can't give much advice. I mean, I feel younger than my age, so now you meet your opposite.

OddBeMe · Answer

(Takes a long drag from a cigarette) Because we were born long before our conception.  (Blows smoke ring) We have seen many lives. And know how shitty it is.

MacDaddyRico · Answer

Strange... the past three years is when I began to feel my age. Could it be the nanotechnology that's being sprayed in our skies?

BruceJender · Answer

You chose to go down the career path. This is what it is.

dolemite58 · Answer

I feel the same way, getting to that age where u have to start working a lot just ages people in general.

Anonymous · Answer

I'd say you need to love the skin your in, respect where you are, screw all the naysayers.

CubaPirate · Answer

Girl up be more confident set your goals high reach for the stars and become one

Anonymous · Answer

It's just the way life is now I wrote a will when I was 22

animalwithin · Answer

Serious question: are you lonely?

Bklynbadboy12 · Answer

Maybe you just need to rest

MatureMan40 · Answer

Maybe your life is hard a little bit.

Anonymous · Answer

Depression and not in shape

Why do I feel older than my age?

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Why do I feel older than my age?

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