Five Reasons Why Looking Younger Than My Age Really Sucks
I turned 41 years old this past December, but I don't look it. In fact, most people assume I'm in my mid to late 20s. Is that a good thing? Of course. In fact, a 2009 study done by the University of Southern Denmark found that looking younger than your age can mean a longer life. But I'm here to tell you that it's not all fun and roses. In fact, there are some very good reasons why I think looking younger than my age really sucks.
My credibility is in question
Looking 28-years-old in this day and age is not always a plus. Some of the negative stereotypes against today's 20-somethings include being lazy and selfish. I am neither lazy nor selfish nor 20-something, but when someone assumes I don't know what a vinyl record is because of my appearance, God knows what else they assumed about me. I personally get a kick out of someone saying to me "Just wait till you hit your 40s!" I've been in my 40s for over a year...did I miss something?
I look out of place with my company
If I hang out with people in their late 40s or early 50s, I look like someone's daughter. I once had a saleswoman ask my ex-boyfriend if I was his daughter and he was only 8 years older than me. The young people think I'm weird hanging with old people and the old people want to know why I'm not with people my own age.
I get hit on by much younger men
While it can be a huge compliment for a middle aged woman, being asked out by guys young enough to be my son is still awkward. I'm not into being a cougar and so when I decline a date, I usually get a speech about how age is no big a deal. Sorry, age is a big deal for me and that's your problem not mine, so save your speech.
Older men shy away from me
No I'm not a cougar, but I do have a thing for older men. A 41-year-old woman dating a 50-year-old man shouldn't be a big deal. But when he thinks I'm only 28 and he's 50 and looks it, he may not even try to hit on me. He assumes my age and then assumes I want to get married and have kids. I've been judged before I've even been spoken to and again I have to convince people how old I really am. By then, I'm frustrated and my initial interest is gone.
Some women hate me!
In this youth driven culture, looking younger than my age has its definite advantages. And that makes some women in my age range jealous. Most of the time I get complimented by both men and women when they find out how old I really am. But then I'll get those women who look me up and down, give me this evil stare, then don't say another word.
Sources:
Dr Jeffery Jensen Arnett, Are Your Kids More Lazy, Spoiled and Childish Than Past Generations?, AARP online, May 9, 2011
US News and World Report, Looking Younger Than Your Age May Mean Longer Life, December 14, 2009
Personal experience with looking younger and convincing people my real age
Published by J Budd, RN - Featured Contributor in Health & Wellness
I am a registered nurse and former radio broadcast journalist in the NYC/NJ area for over a decade. Some of the stations I have worked with include Bloomberg News Radio, Sirius Satellite Radio, Fox News Rad... View profile
How a Man Can Look Younger at Any AgeSome helpful tips for those guys who are willing to work a little to look their best. The information will help anyone who may be looking for a new job, new girlfriend or even a...- Older Women. Younger Men. Times Are a' Changin'!The long-standing double standard of dating is coming to an end. Older woman are enjoying the perks of dating younger men. Older men have been dating younger women for centuries. It's time for the cougar to emerge!
- How to Look Younger for Trick-or-TreatingLearn makeup, costume, and verbal tricks to appear years younger when trick-or-treating.
- Like a Grown UpWhile dating a lively and charismatic older man, I discovered yet another one of my deal-breakers: The Peter Pan syndrome.
- Dear Clothing Designers, I Don't Want My Daughters to Dress like HookersIt seems that for many years clothing manufacturers and department stores have been trying to get our young girls to look "sexy." I, for one, am tired of it. I want my daughters to look their age, and not like young...
- Men My Age Look like My Dad
- A Few Practical Tips to Help You Skin Looking Better and Younger in Your 40s
- AMAZING SECRET for Looking Younger when You Have Gray Hair
- Anti-Aging For Men: How to Avoid Looking Unnecessarily Old After Age 40
- My Adoption Story
- You Look Good for Your Age
- How I Ended Up with a Wife 50 Years Younger Than Myself
4 Comments
Post a Commenti hate it.im 32 and mother of 2 the eldest turning 14 this year.people
do not believe they are mine.i have lived with people's
comments for many years and i have lost my confidence
i have a very low self-esteem.Only God knows what the
future holds.
Same problem here - but at 63, I can only laugh at it now............it can be a curse, but let's face it, you KNOW you love it..........at least I do......people's jaw drop when they find out how old I am too.......yeah, yeah, my daughters look like my sisters.......one daughter thinks it's very amusing, the other doesn't like it so much........but she's getting better........after all, they're likely to inherit the young gene too!
I love this article! I'm thirty and people still think I'm a teenager, which is embarrassing and frustrating when I'm out with my three kids and my husband isn't with us. They assume I was one of those thirteen year old mothers.
People are always questioning my judgement, and when they find out how old I really am they're always saying, "You're going to love looking so young when you're in your 40's or 50's." I had a sneaking suspicion they're wrong, and from your article it looks like I have years and years of this to deal with.
I loved the way you summed up the frustrations of looking years younger than you are. Thank you!
Quite an interesting read.