Millennials have shared the exact moments when they realized they weren’t “young” anymore. One person mentioned working at an elementary school and feeling old seeing the thick dictionaries and thesauruses used in the classroom. Another mentioned feeling ancient when a fourth grader asked about using Smart TVs instead of the technology they grew up with. Others talked about being carded and realizing they were considered old because their birth year started with “19.” The moment when famous athletes on sports cards were born in the early 2000s was also a realization of getting older, especially for football fans.
Another millennial shared a story about giving a facial to a teenage girl who had no idea who Avril Lavigne was, making them feel older. The shift in music played on the radio from ’90s and ’00s being classified as “oldies” was also a sign of aging. Other moments included being called “sir” by younger individuals and having to explain outdated technology like cassette tapes to younger generations. Seeing younger doctors, pilots, and coworkers, as well as tattoos older than some coworkers, were also indicators of feeling old.
One person mentioned feeling like an adult for the first time when the latest Star Wars movie was released, as they had grown up watching the series with their parent. Another mentioned the shift in fashion trends and feeling out of touch with what was cool. Despite these moments of feeling old, some millennials found empowerment in embracing their age, such as dressing for themselves, recognizing red flags in relationships, and being confident in setting boundaries. These experiences have led millennials to reflect on the passage of time and the changes in culture and technology that have made them feel older than they once were.
