Showing Your Age
Does your appearance give away your age? Well, not always. Sometimes it's your actions and habits that give you away. These are the 19 things that might make you seem older than you actually are.
Gray Hair
Going gray is a natural part of aging, and there's something so beautiful about embracing it. However, when it comes to societal beauty standards, there's no denying that people will think you're older if you're sporting a few gray hairs. If you want others to perceive you as younger, then you may consider dying your hair.
Heavy Makeup
Using makeup can make you look younger, but heavy makeup might have the opposite effect. No matter your age, caking on foundation can age you drastically. You might think you're covering up wrinkles, but too much makeup makes them stand out more dramatically.
Wearing Old Fashion Trends
The younger generations will always have a better grasp on the coolest trends. If you haven't changed your style in decades, there's a good chance somebody will be able to guess your age just by looking at you. For instance, if you're still wearing skinny jeans, you're likely a millennial who grew up in the 2000s.
Incorporating some timeless pieces into your wardrobe might make your age more difficult to place.
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Leading A Sedentary Lifestyle
As we get older, we tend to slow down. On weekends, we prefer to rest instead of being constantly active. Young people seem to have inexhaustible energy—they can go to school, work, and balance their social lives without burning out as quickly. However, if you want to hold on to your youth, staying active is key.
Make physical activity or daily walks a priority, and it will benefit your overall well-being.
Smoking
Not only is smoking terrible for your health, but it is also known to physically age you. This dangerous habit will reflect in your hair, skin, and teeth. Your voice might even become more gravelly and sound older. Quitting the smokes might turn your life around in the best way possible.
Using Phrases That Date You
Being old isn't a bad thing. It likely means that you have a wealth of wisdom and experiences under your belt. Of course, if you start off a story with, "Well, back in my day...," that's a pretty good indicator that you're no longer a spring chicken.
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You Don't Have A Skincare Routine
If your skincare routine only consists of two steps—soap and water—then you aren't doing your skin any favors. Important steps like toner, moisturizer, and SPF are essential to maintaining a youthful glow. The earlier you invest in your skin, the better.
Poor Diet
What you put in your body will directly affect your physical appearance. Maintaining a healthy diet will keep you in better physical condition, but if you consistently reach for fast food, you'll likely pay the price. Fruits and vegetables are essential to maintaining healthy skin, while processed food can contribute to weight gain.
Not Being Open-Minded
The older people get, the less likely they are to change their ways. They become resistant to the shifting tides, and are less willing to see the world from different perspectives. This can drive a wedge between the older generations and the younger generations.
Maintaining an open mind can help older folks break the stereotype.
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Outdated Hairstyles
Fashionable haircuts evolve over time. What was youthful and trendy 20 years ago might look very different to the modern eye. However, haircuts have a habit of recycling themselves, and old trends come back into style. So, buckle up, your favorite outdated haircut might be the next big trend.
If you're not willing to wait for your hairstyle to come full circle, it might be worth rolling with the times.
Bad Posture
Even a person in their 20s can look much older if they have horrible posture. Slouching while walking or sitting can give the impression that someone is downtrodden, sad, or sedentary. After all, it's usually elderly folks who stoop over.
Using Old Slang
It can be very hard to keep up with the popular slang of the younger generations. There are new words to learn every year. However, the slang you grew up with is likely to stick out, and will certainly date you. Whether you like it or not, the way you speak will likely give away which generation you're from.
Traditional Accessories
Your choice of accessories can say a lot about your age. For instance, in this age of advanced technology, people no longer wear pieces like watches. As well, the kind of purse or hat you reach for might be extremely outdated. And, if you have a brooch collection? Well, that's a sure sign that you're likely of an older generation.
Technology Is Not Your Friend
Technology is constantly evolving and it can be easy to get left behind if you're not keeping up. If you're still using a flip phone or haven't updated your computer in 10 years, this might be a sign that you're behind the times. If you want to seem younger, make understanding new technology a priority.
Not Staying Up To Date With New Entertainment
Do you like listening to all the music you grew up with? Do you rewatch old movies instead of going to see new releases? When it comes to entertainment, you're bound to have your favorites—but it's also important to listen to new music and watch recent films. It's a good way to stay in the flow of the cultural current and will help you better connect to today's youth.
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Your Glasses Speak Volumes
Glasses can be one of the best ways to express your personal style. However, some people are happy to gravitate to the same pair of frames for their entire lives. If you have a habit of never trying a different kind of eyewear, your frames might be stuck in an older decade. If that's what works for you, great! But sometimes trying something new can be a refreshing change.
Calling Attention To Your Aches And Pains
Young people seem invincible. They somehow manage to function on very little sleep, despite their busy schedules and social lives. However, as we get older, our bodies just don't work the way they did when we were in our early 20s. If you're constantly complaining about your sore knees or aching back, you likely have a decent number of years under your belt.
Wave goodbye to the painless days of your youth.
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You Hate Switching Up Your Routine
Older people get stuck in their ways. After all, why fix what isn't broken? Unfortunately, following the same routine every single day, with no room for spontaneity can sap the excitement out of life. As the years pass, don't get stuck in a rut. Never stop learning and don't be so rigid that you close doors of opportunity.
You Don't Have Social Media
These days, there are so many social media apps, it can be overwhelming. It's incredibly hard to keep up, especially if you're older and haven't grown accustomed to all of this new technology. If you don't have social media, or are rarely on it, you're going to seem much older.
As bothersome as it can be, social media can be a tool to keep you plugged into current events.
