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 credits: msty2k
#2
When a song I loved as a teenager appeared as an oldie on the radio.
Image credits: LucyVialli
#3
When I opened a new pack of sponges for dishwashing and became all excited to use a fresh sponge.
Image credits: tuxedo_cat_commander
#4
When I started getting excited for 9pm bedtime.
Image credits: itisee899
#5
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 credits: Ralfarius
#6
When I went to a nightclub last weekend and everyone looks like children...
Image credits: smegly87
#7
I’m scared of teenagers now
Image credits: -thegay-
#8
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 credits: the_last_werewolf
#9
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 credits: Subbend
#10
When I hated loud music, wanted to go home early and wanted my neighbors to keep the noise down. I am now Squidward.
Image credits: Strong-Discussion564
#11
We went to a trampoline park for a friend's birthday. I pulled a muscle in the first ten minutes.
Image credits: RichardStinks
#12
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 credits: Ok_Clock_8658
#13
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 credits: Nyx_Fallweather
#14
When the check knee light came on
Image credits: SirCoughAGuy
#15
One day my back decided to leave a memo
Image credits: northernskies2015
#16
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 credits: Symnestra
#17
When i stopped healing as fast as i used to.
Image credits: CrimsonGamerKing
#18
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.#19
When I dislocated my jaw lying in bed yawning. Didn't even think it was even possible.
Image credits: purpleowlie
#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 credits: crewthsr
#21
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 credits: InvaderMiz69
#22
When my daughter asked to listen to oldies. Like nirvana, pearl jam, foo fighters. I'm thinking no they are not oldies.
Image credits: wyecoyote2
#23
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 credits: genericusername0176
#24
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 credits: Bitter-Edge-8265
#25
I got "ma'am"ed by a random twenty-something. Broke my heart
Image credits: GreenAppleLady
#26
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 credits: Prize-Trifle-9537
#27
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.#28
"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 credits: Kalle_79
#29
When my daughters friend referred to me as "blah blahs dad" instead of my name. I was shook.
Image credits: susejrotpar
#30
Threw my back out on my 30th birthday
Image credits: QueenOfTheAbyss_
#31
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.#32
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 credits: alwittenberg
#33
I went for a motorcycle ride with 4 of my friends and stopped at the gas station for a picture. The first picture was all of us gasing up the bikes and the second was from behind. I was not wearing my helmet and saw the top rear of my head. I was balding at the age of 28 and had a spot so shiny that even the camera didn't know WTF happened.#34
This year when multiple SONS of American football players I watched growing up got drafted into the NFL.
Image credits: Chilidogdingdong
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