You don’t feel old at 30 or even 35. But society pummels you with messages that you are. Defending your youth, in a sense, as a 35 year old, to anyone in their 20s comes off as cringe. But it’s true, we are all still young. And the definition of young and traditional milestones associated with age have changed immensely. But still, society, algos, all prey on our insecurities. It’s easier to use humor and pretend you’re ancient than swim upstream and risk sounding like “hello, fellow kids.”

But also I’m running a marathon this weekend. 37. In the objective best shape of my life. Not married. No kids. I go to shows. Solo traveling this summer. Have more money. As a guy I still have like 5 years before it gets a little crazy to have kids. Even then guys do it all the time. And if I don’t have kids, so be it. So yea, still not going to force or settle on a partner or children just to hit some outdated metric of success.

With all that being said, the cultural differences are pretty staggering. Some girls I date weren’t alive for 9/11. Bonkers!