“Inside each previous individual is a really stunned younger individual.”

53-year-old Jeff Pearlman, @jeffpearlmanauthor, shared what it feels prefer to get previous with youth-obsessed TikTok. Pearlman admitted that the subject of growing old makes for “the least TikTok video ever,” however he made the PSA anyway. He defined that getting previous isn’t about how you are feeling, it’s about the way you’re considered by others. Though the physique modifications with age, the individual inside continues to be the identical, whilst they grow to be previous in relation to others and their familial and societal roles shift with time.

Featured Video

“‘Inside each previous individual is a really stunned younger individual.’”

Pearlman’s June 29, 2025, publish has 549,000 views and over 4,000 feedback on TikTok. Many commenters associated to the TikTok creator’s ideas and shared their very own knowledge about growing old. Youthful individuals within the feedback expressed gratitude for his or her youth, in addition to a need to remain current of their lives. 

“Here’s what it feels prefer to get previous. In very actual phrases”

Pearlman captioned his publish, “Here’s what it feels prefer to get previous. In very actual phrases.”

“It’s so bizarre getting previous. It’s so freaking bizarre getting previous,” he mentioned. “Sooner or later you’re, you realize, over right here and your mates are getting married and also you’re on the wedding ceremony and also you’re with the chums who’re getting married, so that you’re all dancing with the individuals getting married and also you’re all getting drunk, after which in the future you blink and it’s your mates’ children who’re getting married and now you’re the previous individuals on the wedding ceremony.”

Pearlman defined the actually weird half is that “you don’t really feel previous”—however you might be. As a result of different individuals are youthful than you.

@jeffpearlmanauthor

Here’s what it feels prefer to get previous.  In very actual phrases.

♬ unique sound – Jeff Pearlman

Commenters mentioned how, in some methods, age is about notion.

“It’s not the lack of youth, it’s the lack of notion of limitless potential. Closely influenced by the ageism of our society.”

“I perceive as a result of my 25-year-old self, 35-year-old self, 45-year-old self are nonetheless very current and related in my head. I’m 61.”

The bizarre, disorienting shift from younger to “the previous individual”

@Mappy6984 shared the video on X the place it has 1 million views and 900 feedback. The X person wrote, “This hit me HARD. I’m the previous man now.” 

Males within the feedback echoed @Mappy6984’s remark, “I look within the mirror and simply see an previous man. Ngl,” and complained in regards to the bodily features of getting previous. Some mentioned how growing old interprets to irrelevance. However right here’s some knowledge that sounds prefer it might have solely include age:

“It’s an honor to develop previous, not everybody will get to do this. Get pleasure from life and assume much less.”

---

The web is chaotic—however we’ll break it down for you in a single day by day e-mail. Join the Every day Dot’s web_crawlr e-newsletter right here to get the most effective (and worst) of the web straight into your inbox.