With days passing at the speed of a hadron collider, it’s easy to forget how fast time flies. It seems just yesterday you were listening to Smashing Pumpkins on your Walkman sipping on Capri Sun, and now you’re dragging a bunch of grown-up people responsibilities in what feels like an ultra marathon.
But even then, we often remain totally unaware of the fact that hey, we are not kids anymore. So when Redditor u/spp25 asked “When did you realise that you are officially ‘not young’ anymore?” the answers started rolling one after the other, with people sharing all too relatable moments.
From realizing Avril Lavigne falls under the category of what teens call “dad rock” to medical emergencies that happen only when you age, like dislocating your jaw while yawning, these are some of the most telling responses that make you go, “wait, this is me.”
#1
When I saw a smoking hot redhead on the subway, and instead of thinking “wow, she’s smoking hot” I thought, “I hope she uses lots of sunscreen because she’s vulnerable to skin cancer.”
Image source: msty2k, Tom NewbyFollow
#2
When a song I loved as a teenager appeared as an oldie on the radio.
Image source: LucyVialli, Tal Atlas
#3
When I opened a new pack of sponges for dishwashing and became all excited to use a fresh sponge.
Image source: tuxedo_cat_commander, Eden, Janine and Jim
#4
When I went to a nightclub last weekend and everyone looks like children…
Image source: smegly87, Maurício Mascaro
#5
I felt a sneeze coming on while I was bent over and legitimately thought, “I have to stand up straight for this if I want to keep my back.”
Image source: Symnestra, cottonbro
#6
When I only got 4 hours of sleep before work and felt like I was literally going to die. Ten years ago, I would drive 5 hours after work on Friday to see my SO, we’d party all weekend, then I’d leave at 1am on Monday, drive all night and go to work Monday. And i was exhausted but fine. Now, just one night of not enough sleep… I got old.
Image source: SafeWord6, Jaymantri
#7
When I hated loud music, wanted to go home early and wanted my neighbors to keep the noise down. I am now Squidward.
Image source: Strong-Discussion564, Markus Kniebes
#8
When I started getting excited for 9pm bedtime.
Image source: itisee899, Ketut Subiyanto
#9
Saw some neighborhood kids messing with a stop sign while driving home. I slowed the car down, rolled down a window and said,
“Hey… I think maybe you shouldn’t be doing that.”
Which in my mind meant cut it out before an adult catches you.
But these kids look sheepishly at the ground and give me an ok like I was the adult in the situation. Which I was, gently chastising children for fooling around with public property.
Well, either that time or when I buried my father and realized I was the oldest living male in my family. That was more sobering than fun.
Image source: Ralfarius, mwabonje
#10
When a 22 year old offered me their arm to get down steps. I’m not old, I was just tired you little punk!!
Image source: the_last_werewolf, Mike Hauser
#11
I’m scared of teenagers now
Image source: -thegay-, Rich Smith
#12
When I realized having a one in front of my birth year is all anyone needs to know I’m old enough to purchase alcohol. I don’t know why but that dumb fact just hit me like a ton of bricks.
Image source: InvaderMiz69, Harrison Fitts
#13
When my daughter asked to listen to oldies. Like nirvana, pearl jam, foo fighters. I’m thinking no they are not oldies.
Image source: wyecoyote2, LadyArtisma
#14
When i stopped healing as fast as i used to.
Image source: CrimsonGamerKing, Diana Polekhina
#15
When the check knee light came on
Image source: SirCoughAGuy, Terry Shultz
#16
I just bought a new mop and was really excited to go home and use it :( I mopped the whole apartment in absolute bliss. I finally decided that I will not fall for the Swiffer commercials again.
Image source: Subbend, Pixabay
#17
We went to a trampoline park for a friend’s birthday. I pulled a muscle in the first ten minutes.
Image source: RichardStinks, obeeze4
#18
Neighborhood kid next door, must be 22 or so calls me sir. First time it happened I was like “sir? Dude I’m like….okay a lot older than you.”
Image source: genericusername0176, Henry Burrows
#19
When my best friend and I were planning for a concert next month and for the first time in our lives we were like “Do we… want to buy seats instead of standing in the pit?”.
Image source: Nyx_Fallweather, Nathan Fertig
#20
It hits you when you’re 36. That’s the year you could’ve had a child at age 18 who would become 18 and possibly have a child, making you old enough to be a grandparent.
Image source: crewthsr, freestocks.org
#21
When I dislocated my jaw lying in bed yawning. Didn’t even think it was even possible.
Image source: purpleowlie, Karolina Grabowska
#22
When one of my younger coworkers took it upon herself to explain to me who Cardi B was. I already knew who she was and was familiar with her music. Apparently I just looked like I needed to be supplied with this info.
Image source: Ok_Clock_8658, wikimedia.commons
#23
When I started viewing guys on motorcycles with concern instead of awe… damn kids gonna get himself killed vs. oooh look at that hot rebel.
Image source: Prize-Trifle-9537, Person Lin
#24
“reasonably recent” references are met with dead silence and confusion by young adults/teens.
Kids call you “sir” or “that man over there”
Body aching the morning after moderate physical activity.
Food starts to give you problems while you used to eat tons of it with no repercussions.
Image source: Kalle_79, Tim Samuel
#25
7/23/2021 I was drying off after a shower looked down and realized… I am 40 and now have graying pubes. I actually wrote this on my calendar.
Image source: FlexMiniSystem, Olya Kobruseva
#26
One day my back decided to leave a memo
Image source: northernskies2015, Karolina Grabowska
#27
It was when I went to casually step off a 4 foot drop.
I had one foot of the ledge and my brain screamed Danger, I had to stop reset and prepare myself to absorb the impact and make sure I bent my knees.
20 year old me wouldn’t have thought at all about that.
I was in my mid thirties at the time.
Image source: Bitter-Edge-8265, Tim Green
#28
I got “ma’am”ed by a random twenty-something. Broke my heart
Image source: GreenAppleLady, Ivan Samkov
#29
I took my fiancé back to the University I attended and we went for a drink at my old favorite bar. Ordered a margarita & the waitress said, “Do you want the well tequila that we serve to everyone or like…. adult tequila?”
Image source: alwittenberg, Tara Winstead
#30
Looking in the mirror. I’m in my mid 20s, but within the past year I’ve noticed that my reflection has reasonably changed and I definitely wouldn’t be mistaken for a teenager anymore.
Image source: MayBeAPossum, Max Vakhtbovych
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