We All Worry About The Same Thing
When we were children, we all dreamed of becoming an adult and couldn't wait to grow up. So what changed? Now that we're all grown up, there's a shift in our thinking. Instead of enjoying our freedom, we grow to be consumed by fears and worries. If you're feeling this way, you'll be happy to hear you're not alone - this is normal! But to help you feel more reassured, here are 20 age-related fears you need to stop worrying about and why.
1. Not Getting Married By A Certain Age
Many of us tend to set expectations about when we want to get married, but all this does is make us feel even more anxious and worried when we don't reach this goal. It can be harmful too, especially if you start caving and settling for someone just because you think you have to. People find their special person at their own rate and pace, and it's much better to just let things happen organically rather than forcing your way into a marriage.
2. Losing Muscle Mass
As you grow older, it's natural that you become a bit weaker and start losing your muscles. That's just life! It might make you feel insecure, losing all that progress you made when you were younger, but instead of being too hard on yourself you should learn to love your body.
Amir mohammad jafari on Unsplash
3. Not Saving Enough For Retirement
How much do you need to save for retirement? When do you need the money by? Thinking about retirement as you get older can really start making you sweat, especially when it's unknown territory. The best advice we can give you? Don't stress about it. Do your research, steadily save for it, and ask for help, but don't let this fear consume you.
4. Not Having Kids By A Certain Age
Going hand in hand with marriage, having kids isn't something you can or should rush. It needs to be when you and your partner feel ready and when you have stable income to support the child. Whether you choose to do it alone or with the person you love, you can never set a harsh deadline for something as lifechanging as having a kid.
5. Not Wanting To Have Kids
On the other hand, if you're someone who thinks you don't want to have kids, it might feel at times like you want to circle back on your decision. From worrying about running out of time to pressure from those around you, it can feel like everyone is against you. Just remember though, at the end of the day, it's entirely your decision. Do what you feel is right for you.
6. Getting Wrinkles
It can be hard to accept that our skin changes so drastically as we get older, but that's just a natural occurrence that everyone goes through. People spend their entire lives scared of getting wrinkles, when in reality, we should be embracing the change and signs of a beautiful life lived.
7. Having Your Entire Life Figured Out
Even if you think other people have got their life together, no one really knows what the future holds! You can never predict what the next day, week, or year will look like, so stop stressing about needing to have your entire life planned out. Just enjoy the ride - everyone else is trying to do the same!
Oyemike Princewill on Unsplash
8. Being Alone
Being single in your 30s? The thought of that is too much to bear for some people. For those who expected to be married and have a family by this age, being alone can feel soul-crushing. But we're here to tell you everything comes in its own time. Learn to love yourself, enjoy your own company, and these years might easily be the happiest you've ever been.
Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash
9. Relying Too Much On Friends And Family
Some adults fear that by the time they're a certain age, they should be fully dependent and don't need to rely on their friends and family. That's completely false! Everyone goes through hard times, no matter what age you are. This just means you should always keep your close ones even closer and don't be afraid to reach out if you need help. After all, they're expecting the same from you.
10. Making Mistakes
We seem to have this weird idea that growing up also means we stop making mistakes. But as adults, we know there's nothing farther from the truth. In fact, as we face even more hurdles and challenges as grown ups, we tend to make even more! So stop thinking that your life is going to be smooth walking the older you get - we all continue to make mistakes.
Jelleke Vanooteghem on Unsplash
11. Not Knowing What's Next
The fear of the unknown might just be the most common worry all adults share. It's hard not to think about what's next for you or if the next stage in your life will be fulfilling or stressful. But at the end of the day, everyone is on the same boat; stop worrying about what's coming next and just focus on being the best person you can be.
12. Getting Older
Sometimes, just the increasing number of your age itself is enough to terrify people. Society often puts a negative outlook on getting older, making people believe that your prime is while you're young. As a result, this fear and resentment continues to build in adults as they grow older; but the truth is, every year is as beautiful as the last if you make it so.
13. Making Other People Proud
Not matter how old we get, it's hard to get past the feeling of needing to make other people proud. It's almost as if you're worried you're running out of time to accomplish things, not for yourself but for other people. If this is your way of thinking, it's time to shift your perspective. The only person you should be making proud is yourself - other people will naturally be happy with your growth.
14. Not Having Travelled Enough
The world is so big, it can feel like you're living inside of an oyster sometimes. If you're stressing over not having seen enough of the world, why not go out and explore? Your age has nothing to do with your ability to travel and continue to experience other adventures.
15. Not Being Trendy
Who cares about what's popular and trending? It's natural that as you get older, you lose touch with what's going on with pop culture, but that's okay! It likely just means you've shifted to care more about your own life compared to others.
16. Losing Your Parents
It's natural that as the years fly by, you start noticing that not only are you aging, but your parents are aging too. This is a very valid fear to have; after all, losing people you love is unbearable. However, make sure you don't get caught up in the grief of when it'll happen - you'll start losing time you have to spend with them instead.
17. Grey Hair
Anything that outwardly shows what your age might be is something all adults fear, grey hair included. But just like saggy skin and wrinkles, there's nothing you can do to prevent it. You can either live in worry, dying your hair constantly, or you can embrace the changes.
Nashua Volquez-Young on Pexels
18. That You Can't Act Childish
If you have a free, childish spirit that loves to play and explore, growing up doesn't mean you have to repress those feelings. While you have important matters that you will have to take care of with maturity, you can still be playful and lively to your heart's content.
19. Not Following The Right Steps
For some strange reason, we all have this growing up guidebook made up in our heads that makes us feel like we need to follow aging in a certain path. It's getting a job, buying a house, getting married, and having a family. While some people like having a route to follow, it can feel restrictive for others. Everyone is different; you don't need to follow anyone's footsteps but your own.
20. Death
The biggest concern that growing adults all share is that each day, we inch closer towards our final day. It can be the scariest thought of all and it's something we all share. But instead of being caught up in this fear, you have to let go and learn to live life to its fullest. When you do that, growing up won't seem as scary.
KEEP ON READING
Road Trip Through America's Coolest Ghost Towns
40 Cars Jay Leno Could Drop From His Collection
