30 and starting to look my age... how to cope?

[losangelena]

Some people naturally look younger depending on their race/genes. My Sri Lankan relatives look much younger than their ages. It's also the same for many Africans and Asians. They aren't chasing youth. That's just how they are.

 

Oh, I know, and I wasn't really referring to naturally youthful-looking people. Obviously, looking young isn't a BAD thing, just based on some of the comments in this thread, it seems as if looking younger than you are is somehow desirable over looking one's age, as if aging or BEING your age is a bad thing. I'm 35, and I doubt many people would look at me and I think I'm 20, but I don't lament that fact, even though some people definitely would. Some people are terrified of aging or looking old, that's why things like botox exist.

 

Anyway, that's all I meant. Some people just look young, I get that.

[truthtripper]

Because I had lots of issues, am still emotionally stunted, and am basically a 22-year-old trapped in an older body. I'm still trying to play catch up, and it's less embarrassing when you can pass for that age when you obviously look like you're much older and should know better.

My emotional brain went into shock when I was a baby, as this is when my abuse began. So emotionally I'm about a 4 month old in a 40 year old body.

 

Get a good therapist, keep working on yourself and most importantly love and accept yourself and just be who you are. F*** what others think.

[ASG]

I'm also not sure why "looking younger" is considered such a prized thing. You're 30 but can pass for a teenager? No thanks, no one respects teenagers. I don't agree with the assertion that looking young = looking healthy. Looking 40 when you're 40 doesn't make you unhealthy, it makes you 40. I guess I just know plenty of healthy 40-year-olds.

 

I'm all for embracing middle age when it comes, none of this desperate clinging to youth.

 

You know what, I agree. It irks me when I'm ID'd. I may look younger than I am, but I certainly do not look like a teenager (despite what my friend might have thought. I mocked him relentlessly for thinking I was 19).

 

I do dress "young" though, because that's the style I'm most comfortable with and I don't have an office job that makes me wear anything resembling a suit. So it's not uncommon for me to wear combats and doc marten's or a short skirt. Or a My Little Pony hoodie, complete with eyes, ears, wings and mane!

[TaraMaiden2]

I'm also not sure why "looking younger" is considered such a prized thing. You're 30 but can pass for a teenager? No thanks, no one respects teenagers. I don't agree with the assertion that looking young = looking healthy. Looking 40 when you're 40 doesn't make you unhealthy, it makes you 40. I guess I just know plenty of healthy 40-year-olds.

 

I'm all for embracing middle age when it comes, none of this desperate clinging to youth.

 

I completely agree. My previous post emphasised the accent on staying healthy, more than looking young.

I've stayed healthy by following what has obviously been a right regime for me, both inside and out....But genes play a big part too....

 

Because I had lots of issues, am still emotionally stunted, and am basically a 22-year-old trapped in an older body. I'm still trying to play catch up, and it's less embarrassing when you can pass for that age when you obviously look like you're much older and should know better.

Then you need therapy on your state of mind, not help on focusing on your outward appearance.

It doesn't matter how young you LOOK - if you have issues and are an emotionally-stunted individual, you need professional help, not face cream.