You’re Not One Year Older, You’re One Year Better
Jessica was born in 1992. She is now 30 years old. The candles on her birthday cake spell out the words “Forever Young.” It says “18 again” beneath her name. Jessica wishes she were 18 again for some reason. For her birthday, she has a cake, a party hat, and an Instagram photo to share with everyone. She’s going through the motions, but she’s actually depressed. She can’t believe she’s 30 years old. She can’t believe she’ll be turning 31 this year. She wishes she could go back to being 18 again. But was it really so wonderful being 18? And even if it was, does that negate the fact that 30 and 40 and 50 (and on) will be even better?
All of us have negative perceptions about getting older. Plastic surgery and anti-aging treatments are billion-dollar industries in the United States because of our culture’s emphasis on youth. That doesn’t imply you should be obsessed with your youth. Let me tell you a little secret: studies show that Americans become happier with age. Don’t you trust what I’m saying? Google it for yourself. So, whatever your age is, make it a happy birthday!