'That knee injury is going to come back to haunt you': 31 Elder Millennials lay down the facts of aging for younger generations

Author image for Jesse Kessenheimer
Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
May 26, 2024 1:00 PM EDT

20-year-olds feel like they're invincible. Free of the shackles of their parent's rules and setting off into the world on their own, it's tough to fight the god complex that comes with your 20s. You're young, you're healthy, and you've got your whole life ahead of you!

But guess what, your mid-life crisis is just around the corner…

Turning 40 may seem like a whole lifetime away, but elder millennials are just now realizing how quickly their 20s and 30s blew by them. One minute you're at the clubs with 10 of your best buddies and the next minute you're cultivating a single friendship and wondering how you're hungover after 1 glass of wine. If only someone older and wiser were to warn you of the trials of aging–luckily, the Millennials and young Gen Xers in our next collectino have the proof in the pudding, imparting valuable pearls of wisdom they wish they knew when they were a strapping young chap. 

After this, here's a story of a freeloading sister-in-law who gets caught trying to dine and dash.

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  • 01
    "Having friends in your 20s is accidental... Having friends in your 40s is a part-time job"
    via canva
  • 02
    People in their 40s, what's something people in their 20s don't realize is going to affect them when they age?
    via SuckMySalami
  • 03
    That80sguyspimp • 22h ago . That knee injury you think you recovered from is going to come back to haunt you.
    via That80sguyspimp
  • 04
    ckarnny 20h ago Finding hobbies and other interests is more important than you think
    via ckarnny
  • 05
    juicybananas • 22h ago Bad habits become harder to recover from and can lead to health problems the rest of your life. Not just in catastrophic ways but in little ways like bad joints or aches and pains. Stay mobile, stay healthy.
    via juicybananas
  • 06
    PMzyox 21h ago . If you haven't figured out a balanced diet and exercise routine by the time you are 40, you're going to start seeing negative quality of life impacts
    via PMzyox
  • 07
    hungaria • 21h ago Not wearing ear protection at concerts. Having tinnitus
    via hungaria
  • 08
    tizod 21h ago The benefits of working out. My father started regularly working out in his 40s. Nothing extreme, just consistent. He is now 87 and is still in great health. All of his doctors have credited the fact that he started regularly taking care of himself as the reason why he is doing so well.
    via tizod
  • 09
    FOTW-Anton • 20h ago That life goes by fast, especially after 25.
    via FOTW-Anton
  • 10
    gothimbackin23 • 21h ago Saving for retirement. Wish I started sooner..
    via gothimbackin23
  • 11
    Funandgeeky • 20h ago Neglecting your dental health. Deciding to stop going to the dentist because you are no longer forced to by your family won't end
    via Funandgeeky
  • 12
    well, trust me. That was not a smart choice I made way back when and it affected me for years after. Honestly it could have been much worse for me.
    via Funandgeeky
  • 13
    MarcusQuintus • 21h ago Not putting in the work to maintain relationships. Having friends in your 20s is accidental. Having friends in your 40s on is a part time job.
    via MarcusQuintus
  • 14
    UnlikelyDot9009 • 20h ago You stop caring so much because you've just had enough. It's very relaxing.
    via UnlikelyDot9009
  • 15
    robotdevil • 21h ago Lack of physical activity is a huge one. Just because you aren't overweight does not mean you don't need regular exercise, the benefits go far beyond weight loss.
    via robotdevil
  • 16
    Halloween2056 22h ago That if you had perfect eyesight up until your 40s then be prepared for the possibility that you will have to begin wearing glasses.
    via Halloween2056
  • 17
    ClownfishSoup • 20h ago Let me grab my reading glasses before answer this question.... Ah, so anyway, your vision goes to
    via ClownfishSoup
  • 18
    Credito Reddito • 20h ago Stretch you fools. Stretch every day....and strengthen your joints...
    via Credito Reddito
  • 19
    Buchlinger 20h ago 1. Starting to live healthy in your 20s will make a huge difference in your 40s
    via Buchlinger
  • 20
    2. Start using sun protection in your 20s or your skin may noticeably be affected in your 40s
    via Buchlinger
  • 21
    3. Try to better yourself every day in your 20s to be proud of what you have become in your 40s
    via Buchlinger
  • 22
    Ben Pharten • 20h ago People come and go. The longer you're around, the more come and the more go. Develop some kind of thick skin or you're in for a rough ride.
    via Ben Pharten
  • 23
    . profdart 19h ago Genetics and Health. My cholesterol skyrocketed once I hit 40. My diet didn't change. It was like a light switch. Some freakish mutant eyebrow hairs also decided to go big or go home.
    via profdart
  • 24
    Lulu 42 20h ago . If you're a woman, probably perimenopause. We collectively think of menopause as being the big deal, not realizing it's a process and not realizing it's an issue that (often) starts in our 40's.
    via Lulu_42
  • 25
    paravaric 19h ago Your online life is leaving a traceable trail, you should be much more protective of what information you publicly share
    via paravaric
  • 26
    HGLatinBoy • 20h ago How much your body will hate you if you don't treat it well for the next 20 years.
    via HGLatinBoy
  • 27
    Toastwaver 21h ago • The physical consequences of sitting down for 8 hours per day. I can barely tie my shoes.
    via Toastwaver
  • 28
    Metnut 19h ago Take care of your teeth, knees and back. A lot of this is genetic, but 20 years of wear and tear on these parts can come home to roost in your 40s.
    via Metnut
  • 29
    1block 18h ago • IDK how much this applies, but there comes a point in life, for many it's in their 40s, where you realize that stuff like being famous, building a legacy, being highly respected
    via 1block
  • 30
    in your career, etc. doesn't matter AT ALL. And when you get there... life becomes wonderful. You quit worrying about where you're going and start to enjoy what you have. It's hard to get there early, but at the least, you can look forward to it.
    via 1block
  • 31
    who519 • 21h ago The families of their SO. Even if your SO is amazing, if their family culture is toxic it is going to have a massive negative affect on your life. I know it sounds harsh/sad, but it should be a big portion of the decision to commit to someone.
    via who519
  • 32
    PettyAssWitch420 • 20h ago Decent shoes with proper support. Nowadays most work places have concrete floors with nothing to cushion your feet besides what you wear. Excessively wearing poor footwear can cause joint issues in your feet, knees, hips, and back.
    via PettyAssWitch420

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Tags

getting old millennial old elder millennial boomer childhood relatable nostalgia funny memes nostalgic lol gen x aging baby boomers genx funny
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