Age is in the mind

When people ask me what I consider old I always say an age 10 years older than me. I found it interesting that people when asked what age they would like to be, most people say 10 years younger than they are, according to a study from the Stanford Center on Longevity.

The study from the Stanford Center on Longevity found that when people were asked what age they would like to be, they typically chose an age that was around 10 years younger than their actual age. This phenomenon is known as "subjective age" and refers to how old or young people feel, regardless of their chronological age. The exception is very few want to go back to their teenage years because they associate this period of life with the challenges and uncertainties of adolescence. When we were teenagers, we were navigating new experiences and relationships, and many of us felt overwhelmed or unsure of ourselves. Additionally, we felt the pressure to conform to social norms or expectations, which was stressful or frustrating.

As we aged and gained more life experience, we developed a greater sense of self and confidence. Not everyone feels negative about their teenage years. Some of us view this time as a period of exploration and growth and have fond memories of our experiences. However, on average, many of us tend to view our younger years with a sense of nostalgia but also recognize the challenges and limitations that we faced during that time. How old do you want to be?