“I’m too old for this”

I have found that people at almost every age, starting from the teens until the 70’s and beyond, say “I’m too old for this” often, but what does that really mean? It depends on the situation, and most of the time, they’re wrong. Yes, wrong. For example, those in their 50’s and up can be wrong when it comes to wearing makeup, taking on a sport, trying out a new craft, listening to Kpop and wanting to party even. As the youth become more liberal, more open, more empowering in their motivations, it has started to strengthen the older generation as well, and I love it.

I’m not pushing all women who are 60 to put on a full face of makeup and be the loudest one at a concert. For example, I do believe you’re never too old to watch Tom and Jerry, because it was made as a source of entertainment. It doesn’t matter if it was geared towards a younger age group, because as you get older, you might not want to hear all of the cussing, crude humor and watch cringe romances in current film. You might want to watch it because it’s cute. Sometimes, a good Miyazaki film can put a sweet smile on your face and make you get creative after a while. So what if it’s animated and you’ve lived for 55 years?

Saying candy is for children is the strangest notion. Chocolate wasn’t actually chocolate back in the day, if you know what I mean. Just because children don’t know how to control themselves around it, doesn’t mean it’s made just for them. The candy companies advertise to all ages.

My favorite example is when my grandma, a while back, told me she’s too old to wear heels to her granddaughter’s wedding simply because it’s inappropriate for her age and not because she’s incapable. We live in a world where people do what they want, say what they want, go where they want. For my grandma to limit herself for decades because of popular opinion or culture can be a little demeaning.

Being in my late twenties, everyone made fun of the fact that I’m into Korean boybands and girlbands. Even after I had explained to them that putting their racism aside, Kpop provides great music with great lyrics, cool coreographies, great fashion, humble personalities, humor and amazing music videos, they still looked at me as being “different” and even immature. Why are they ok if I listen to Drake in English or J. Balvin in Spanish, but not BTS in Korean? This is a specific example of cultural influence.

If we had to really think about why someone would say they’re too old for something, they’re either a) unmotivated, b) fear what’s new and don’t have the patience or don’t believe they’re capable of understanding it before even giving it a stance, c) they like to maintain the status quo, or d) they worry their family and friends might make fun of them or question them, and don’t think it’s worth facing that.

We get this advice all the time, usually by the older generation to the younger, and I feel it’s also become the other way around these days:

It’s important to not let anything get in the way of what you want to do, espcially if it’s something you’re passionate about. You have only one life, so live it well.

If you’re still unsure and if you feel that you’re too old for something, find others like you who are interested in the same thing you are, and embrace it with them. I promise that you’ll find yourself opening up even more in life and becoming more confident, no matter how long you’ve lived!

Is there anything, deep down, that you like but feel too old for? You can be any age.