There’s nothing more patronizing when you’re young than someone telling you to “just trust them” because “you’ll understand when you’re older.”
Like many things that piss you off when you’re young, though, it’s absolutely true – there are some things that only time can teach a person, I swear.
Here are 17 that are right on the nose.
1. They just want what’s best for you.
Understanding why your parents wanted you to go play with the awkward kid, or why they were so keen to help you make friends.
It’s beyond annoying as a kid when your parents try to guide who make friends with, but most parents instinctually know that bad social habits start early, are hard to break, and can be a real burden when you are older.
2. Not friends forever.
Friendships fading away
I remember my dad telling me all kinds of cool stories about things him and his friends did in the past.
I even asked him “why aren’t you still friends with these people?”
He really did basically say “it’s complicated, you’ll understand when you’re older.” Even back then I remember thinking “that’s crazy, me and my friends will always be friends.”
Sitting here now in my early 30’s and it really hits home.
3. There’s no one-size fits all.
It is possible to do everything right and still fail. Dont let it consume you. Pick up the pieces and move on.
I had to learn this after a project that I was on for 3 years was sabotaged and s**tcanned.
I did some amazing work, and poured my life into that project… in the end I had nothing to show for it. It put me in a real slump for a few years. Im still trying to pull myself out of it without becoming a cynical and jaded a$shole.
4. Everyone with sibs gets it.
Hand me downs. I absolutely hated them, even though my grandma was a genius with them.
Dyeing, artistic patches, new buttons…
They just didn’t last compared to the new clothes my older sister had.
Then I had 3 boys in 6 years… I’m seriously grateful that my grandma tried so hard to make my hand me downs look good. I get it now.
5. It disappears so fast.
Time…wasting time, and how time flies.
It’s mid Dec & I’m saying to myself ‘what the heck-it’s been 9 months of Covid & I can’t believe this year is almost over’!
As you age it seems to go faster & faster.
When I was younger I felt like time just dragged on some days.
6. Learn work-life balance.
Time off. Working crazy hours in my early 20s was nice because I had a lot of money.
As I became older and more involved with my now fiancé and my friends I realized that there’s a balance.
This drove me to look for a job with a little less pay but far better hours and now I’m happy.
Don’t work like a slave, you’ll miss a lot of good things in life.
7. Your body starts to let you down.
Health issues.
I know I’ve been genetically lucky, but after 20, random shit just starts happening for no reason.
It’s like Darryl developing a soy allergy at 35, who develops a soy allergy at 35?
8. At least now you can afford pizza delivery.
Why it’s so annoying when you forget to take the chicken out of the freezer.
9. Too many is just more work.
That the quality rather than quantity of friends matters.
10. Everyone needs someone.
Why elderly people in nursing homes who get no visitors are so lonely and filled with despair.
11. A hard-learned lesson.
Good people aren’t always nice people, and vice versa.
12. It’s the simple things.
The quiet, boring, simple, times are the best.
Everyone’s fed, happy, healthy, chill, napping… these are the good times.
There are some good things about aging, like getting smarter!
What would you add to this list? Share with us in the comments!
