Young people have it good, but they rarely realise it at the time.
As you get older, you start to realise that all the stuff you worried about when you were younger really wasn’t that bad. Here’s why the younger generation really doesn’t understand how good they’ve got it at this stage in their lives.
1. They have all the energy in the world… and use it to binge-watch TV shows.
Remember when staying up all night was a choice, not a curse of insomnia? Young folks have the stamina of energiser bunnies, but often channel it into marathon gaming sessions or Netflix binges. If only they knew how precious that energy becomes when you’re older, they might use it for more than just perfecting their couch groove.
2. Their metabolism is on fire, but they eat like it’s going out of style.
Ah, the joy of being able to inhale a pizza at midnight without immediate consequences. Young people’s bodies are calorie-burning machines, yet they often fuel them with junk food and energy drinks. Little do they know, their future selves are silently screaming at every 3 AM taco run.
3. They have free time in abundance… and complain about being bored.
Remember the endless summer holidays? The weekends that stretched on forever? Young folks often find themselves with oceans of free time, yet somehow still manage to be bored. If only they knew how precious those moments of nothingness become when adulting kicks in full force.
4. Their skin bounces back from anything, but they still worry about every pimple.
Youth comes with the superpower of rapid skin regeneration. Late night? No problem. Forgot sunscreen? You’ll survive. Yet, young people often obsess over every minor blemish, not realising that their skin is at its peak resilience. If only they knew what “bad skin day” means in your 40s!
5. They can learn new skills quickly, but often stick to what they know.
The young brain is like a sponge, ready to soak up new information and skills at lightning speed. Yet, many young people stick to their comfort zones, missing out on the chance to become multilingual polymaths before their brains decide learning is too much effort.
6. They have the freedom to take risks, but fear of failure holds them back.
Youth is the perfect time for bold moves and big risks. No mortgage, no kids, often no major responsibilities. But the fear of failure or looking silly can be paralysing. If only they knew how much harder it becomes to take those leaps when you’ve got more to lose.
7. They have endless career possibilities, but stress about choosing the “perfect” path.
The world is their oyster, career-wise. They could be astronauts, chefs, or professional dog walkers. But the pressure to choose the “right” path often leads to decision paralysis. If only they knew that most people change careers several times and that there’s no such thing as a perfect choice.
8. They have the time to travel, but often lack the motivation or means.
Backpacking across Europe or road-tripping across the country is so much easier before mortgages and family commitments. Yet, many young folks put off travel, thinking they’ll do it “someday.” If only they knew how complicated “someday” becomes as life goes on.
9. They have the physical ability to try any sport, but often stick to the sidelines.
Young bodies are resilient, flexible, and quick to recover. It’s the perfect time to try skydiving, rock climbing, or that weird new fusion of underwater basket-weaving and kickboxing. But many shy away from new physical challenges, not realising how much harder they become with each passing year.
10. They have the opportunity to form lifelong habits, but often develop the wrong ones.
Youth is the perfect time to establish good habits that’ll last a lifetime. Regular exercise, healthy eating, good sleep patterns — all of these are easier to start young. Instead, many develop habits they’ll spend years trying to break. Future selves everywhere are facepalming.
11. They have the chance to experiment with their identity, but often conform to fit in.
Youth is the time for wild hairstyles, quirky fashion choices, and figuring out who you really are. It’s so much easier to reinvent yourself when you’re young. Yet, the pressure to fit in often leads to conformity. If only they knew how liberating it is to truly not care what anyone else thinks.
12. They have access to endless information, but often use it for trivial pursuits.
With smartphones and the internet, young people have more information at their fingertips than any generation before. Yet, this power is often used for memes and cat videos rather than learning and growth. The Library of Alexandria would be jealous… and then perplexed.
13. They have the energy to pursue multiple passions, but often label themselves too quickly.
“I’m just not a maths person.” “I can’t do art.” Young folks often pigeonhole themselves early, missing out on the chance to explore diverse interests. If only they knew that passions and talents can emerge at any time, and that labels are for soup cans, not people.
14. They have the gift of time, but often live like it’s unlimited.
Perhaps the biggest waste of youth is the illusion that time is infinite. Young people often procrastinate, put things off, and live as if they’ll be young forever. If only they knew how quickly time flies and how precious each moment becomes. The saying isn’t “time is abundant” for a reason!
