Acting Your Age

Living in expectation of others, is a common outcome, from someone telling you to act your age. You can listen to this for a lifetime, but breaking the norm is for someone who is rebellious or ‘deviant’ to this notion. Of course, if you are behaving in a childish manner and expect someone to take you seriously for what you want, then you need to present yourself in an alternative manner.

When someone points out that you are not acting your age, it can either be that, they have certain expectations of their own where your belief system is questioned, or you are adamant in doing what you believe that is right for you. Social stigma amongst your peers and family members are most commonly known to reflect on this issue as well.

Familiar as it may sound, age is just a number. It is commonly known that humans have evolved to live up to around 100 years now. The global average life expectancy as stated by the United Nations was around 72.6 years in 2019. More people are living above the general average age of retirement between 55 – 65 years of age. This puts both future challenges for them and their living sustenance throughout the living lifetime.

You either have made sufficient money to provide financial backup, have good investments that provide reasonable returns or have family lineage that gives you inheritance payments. If none of these are available to you, then I do hope that your government social system is good enough to provide support for the rest of your living life. In Asian countries, I come across the familiar notion that having more children is a good option. The trust or risk of social stigma, will elevate any one of the children, to take care of their parent in their later part of their age.

Entrusted faith, fear being stigmatized or true commitment,
may play the role of being responsible for your elders,
at some point of your life too.
Maximus @ MaximusPrimo.com

Showing your emotion or an outburst when you are pressured, does not mean you are not acting your age. How you show your emotion and outburst is. If you roll on the floor and start screaming like a three-year-old child, when you are 15 years old, people around you will frown and wonder what’s wrong with you. If you 30 and begin to stomp around the office when your colleagues are disagreeing with your opinion, they may be wondering if you are a fan of 3-Little Pigs Bedtime Story.

If you are 60, and begin to cry like a child in front of your children, that is mostly the amount of emotional and mental pain that you have endeavored so far. You probably have lost for words to say, seeing that you are now in a situation that is so embarrassing for your self-respect and honor, that many of times, you wish your life would have ended much earlier. These and more are the challenges that may be put forward to you, in due time. For many who have made plans in foreseeing the possible future and outcomes, it had become partially smooth sailing journey with smiles on their faces. For others, it’s a daily plight, that they need to overcome.

Acting your age is not a privilege or requirement. You consciously know who you are and what you need to do. When a child or a teenager makes a firm decision and act rationally on it, convincing their adults that they will endure what comes may, they are seen behaving like grown-up. A certain degree of respect is revered towards them as well. However, if the same decisions are made by an adult, then it opens up many pondering questions, that will be brought forward and challenged with. It will either make or break, with the forwarded decisions they plan to take.

The notion of acting your age, is just a stigma.
Maximus @ MaximusPrimo.com

It identifies a state of conduct, that the proposer decides upon you. They want you to behave as according to their preference. If your teenage daughter disagrees or throws a tantrum because she sees you wearing Daisy-Dukes, are you going to give it up or keep wearing it when you go out? Are you going to give up something that gives you the personal confidence and contentment for yourself? It’s your call. You are either going to face continuous challenges of a teenage rebellious behavior at home, or you may find an amicable solution in motivating her and yourself for a healthy home living environment.

A small tip here on how to keep your sanity. Smile and convince yourself that they will be moving out, in due time (if they do, of course; sorry to put a damper to your imagination).

On your own, if you are facing some unfortunate challenges, do not place extreme moral rectitude on yourself. Find a group of people amongst your peers to enjoy the commonness of excitements that can be brought forward in your life. You may find a UFO book-club, insect taxonomy club, senior cosplay group or gastronomy adventures to excite your mind and body. Alternatively, you can round up a bunch of friends, who will dress up in jeans and jacket, to meet up at the local coffee shop, without riding a motorbike there. Live your life, whenever possible, as it will give you the energy and motivation to sustain your life journey.