In a world filled with endless possibilities and myriad opinions, we’ve taken to an online forum to unravel a timeless conundrum that has sparked countless debates: What exactly is someone 22 years too old for? Join us as we dive deep into the collective wisdom of the internet community to discover the diverse perspectives and intriguing insights on this age-old question. Whether it’s about trends, technology, or life choices, the answers may surprise you and shed light on the evolving landscape of generational differences. So, let’s embark on this quest together and uncover the wisdom within the onlineverse.
High-School Drama
Transitioning from adolescence to adulthood often marks a welcome escape from the relentless drama of high school, which can be quite a headache.
Online, one user expressed relief, saying, “High-school-like drama. My sister is in her freshman year of high school, and Jesus, I don’t miss that.” Another contributor reminisced, “I still remember that feeling as a teenager. Falling in love really hard. Romeo and Juliet getting married after a few days and then killing themselves for each other makes total sense when you remember they’re 15.” Leaving the tumultuous world of teenage drama behind is a relief many can relate to.
Throwing a Temper Tantrum at a Store
Reaching 22 typically means you’ve gained enough maturity to maintain calm when a store clerk doesn’t have your size in stock.
Reflecting on this, one online user shared a memorable experience: “The only time I’ve ever thrown a temper tantrum in a store was in T-Mobile. The rep decided to add 4 insurance plans to the 4 phones I was buying, even though I specifically said ‘no’ when asked. And when I caught the charge, the store rep refused to take it off because it required a manager’s approval, and the manager wasn’t around.” This incident highlights how growing older often equips us with better ways to handle frustrating situations.
Having Your Mom Clean Your Room
It’s widely agreed that relying on your Mom to clean your room past age 16 is practically illegal. Transitioning into responsibility for your own space is a crucial step in a teenager’s journey toward independence.
Online, users shared their experiences, with one commenting, “Tell that to my little brother. Dude, 40, and Mom still clean his room.” Another user added, “My brother-in-law is like that. Mommy fills out all his job applications, buys food, and does laundry. He’s 35. When my in-laws kick the bucket, he’s not going to know how to do a single thing for himself (except microwaving a burrito).” These anecdotes underline the importance of becoming self-reliant as you grow older.
Doing Your Laundry
Another aspect of growing up at 22 is managing your own laundry, a small yet essential step toward embracing responsibility. It’s a time when you should start navigating the world of chores and adulthood. On the online forum, diverse perspectives emerged on this topic.
One user shared, “I’ve been doing my own laundry since I’ve been a young teenager. Your Mom doesn’t need to see your dirty clothes.” Another user offered an alternative view: “My mum does the laundry. I do the cooking and cleaning. I don’t think it’s about the chore. It’s the balance of workload. But maybe I’m wrong.” In agreement, another user added, “My mum still cleans my room sometimes; I don’t live with her. She’ll just come round with the spare key when she knows I’m having a bad day and does it. It’s okay if it’s a love gesture. I’ve done the same for her too.” These varied perspectives underline the importance of finding a balance that works for you and your family.
Afraid of Making Mistakes
Embracing mistakes is an essential part of life, as they often serve as valuable lessons that contribute to our growth. In fact, making mistakes can be beneficial as long as they don’t harm you or others.
One user shared their struggle, saying, “That’s hard for me. I’m 18, but I’m still always scared of messing something up, especially when I’m being relied on. Sometimes, I’ll mess it up, mainly because I was putting too much thought into it.” Another user conveyed wisdom to them: “The best advice I ever got from my grandfather was in his final days. He told me not to take life too seriously. We aren’t here long enough to let the little things ruin our lives. You’re going to make mistakes; it’s just about how you bounce back from them.” These perspectives underscore the importance of embracing life’s imperfections and using them as stepping stones to personal growth.
How To Cook Basic Meals
Mastering basic cooking skills, like preparing simple meals and food prepping, is a valuable life skill to have by age 22. Surprisingly, some young individuals struggle with even the most fundamental culinary tasks.
As one forum user pointed out, “Not knowing how to make at least basic meals. Cooking is not really that hard (at the beginner level). Shocks me how many young folks can’t even scramble eggs.”
Another user shared their cooking journey, admitting, “I’m a home cook, and I’m ashamed to admit I didn’t know how to make an omelet for the longest time, and it always ended up as nothing but scrambled eggs. In my defense, I was always told, ‘Omelettes are easy; it’s like making scrambled eggs, except you simply don’t scramble them.’ So that’s what I always did: prepped for scrambled eggs and then simply didn’t scramble them. However, I still always ended up with scrambled eggs. It took my current partner to point out that if I’m making an omelet, I don’t add a splash of milk/cream to the eggs. I was proud of myself for making my first-ever omelet at 29.” These anecdotes highlight the importance of acquiring basic culinary skills early in life.
Trick or Treating
By the age of 22, most people should have outgrown the practice of trick-or-treating unless they are accompanying a child. It’s generally expected that adults should transition to the role of candy givers rather than seekers on Halloween. However, only some follow this convention.
As one user on the platform said, “I was going to say trick or treating, but my inner child had a defiant tantrum at the thought. I welcome all ages to my doorstep for candy.”
Others shared heartwarming stories about breaking the age barrier to create cherished memories, such as one user who recounted, “My best friend wasn’t allowed to go trick or treating when she was a kid because of her horrifically religious and abusive parents. So I went trick-or-treating with her the Halloween after she turned 18. We dressed in costumes, got our pumpkins, and headed to my neighborhood. We looked stupid and way too old to be doing it, but we had the best time not caring about what anyone thought, and it definitely healed a part of her lost childhood. If anyone wants to know, we went as mermaid man and barnacle boy.” These stories reflect the diverse perspectives and experiences surrounding Halloween traditions.
To Still Be Saying “I’m Not Like Other Girls”
By the time you’re in your early twenties, you must have moved beyond the phrase, “I’m Not Like Other Girls.”
Often used to differentiate oneself from peers, this statement can be a problematic mindset. One commenter shared their perspective, saying, “Such a big red flag. My sister is 34 and still not like the other girls. Of course, she always goes for guys with great relationships with their mothers and then tries to destroy them and doesn’t understand why they leave her. When it’s done at that age, it’s not teenage cringe. It’s just her putting down girls she thinks are her competition, and it’s done genuinely.” This observation highlights the importance of embracing individuality without belittling others.
Basic Grammar
By the time you reach the age of 22, having a grasp of basic grammar is expected. Unless you have dyslexia, which can present unique challenges, it shouldn’t be an excuse for persistent grammar errors.
One linguistic expert weighed in on the matter, stating, “Linguist here! ‘a lot’ is perfectly okay. It can be considered less formal if we compare it to other contractions like ‘lotsa’ or ‘lotta,’ which do not receive nearly as much criticism or just as being fairly normal in other variants of English as the one you use. There are many variants of English, and none is more official than any other because no one can unilaterally decide on that. Ultimately, it’s probably been in writing as soon as ‘a lot’ grammaticalized, but we’ve seen it in print since the 1960s. That means it’s been in print longer than ‘spreadsheet,’ ‘cellphone,’ ‘SUV,’ or ‘bungee jumping.'”
Another user highlighted a common mistake: “Apart vs. a part is the one that really gets me when people mess it up because they have opposite meanings.” Understanding these basics can significantly enhance communication skills.
Making an Accident Unless It’s a Medical Condition
By the age of 22, it’s generally expected that you should have a reasonable degree of control over your bowels unless you’re dealing with a medical condition that makes it challenging.
One user shared their experience: “I have IBS and nearly made a mess 2 blocks from my house. But it’s okay because I’m only 20.”
Another user admitted to two unfortunate incidents, explaining, “I soiled myself twice last year. Once was while trail running with an upset stomach (2.5 miles from a bathroom and too many people out to hide anywhere). The other time was while sick after getting too hammered at a campout. Thought it was a fart.” These anecdotes highlight the importance of bowel control and the unpredictability of certain situations.
Starting Most Professional Sports Careers
Regrettably, for most disciplines, reaching the age of 22 is often too late when pursuing a career in professional sports. The need to commence training and skill development at a young age, while your mind is highly absorbent and your body is in prime condition to transform into a top-tier athlete, is a common requirement.
However, there are exceptions. One online user shared a unique story, saying, “Definitely not the type of sport you’re referring to (it’s pretty niche), but a local dude in my town went from zero to pro as a whitewater kayaker around that age. Dude went from never having touched a kayak to multiple sponsorships, running some of the gnarliest rapids in the world, in under a year. That’s like competing against Tony Hawk or Shaun White at the X Games 12 months after the first time you touched a board. Nuts.”
Another user added a relatable perspective: “One of those first big ‘I’m getting old’ moments is when you realize a lot of the pro athletes on TV are the same age as you.” These accounts emphasize the exceptional nature of achieving pro status in sports beyond the typical age window.
Having a Teenage Girlfriend
By the age of 22, it’s generally expected that you should be dating within your own age range. It’s rather unfortunate and concerning when individuals in their early twenties choose to date much younger and impressionable teenagers.
One user shared their perspective on age gaps, saying, “I feel like you can make a case for 22 + 17, although I think that’s really borderline. I don’t think you can really make a case for 22 + 15 unless your only boundary is the legal one.” They discussed the complexities of age differences, considering unique circumstances, and highlighted that age gaps should be approached with caution and respect for the younger person’s life and maturity level.
Mom and Dad Do the Basic Functions of Life
By age 22, it’s reasonable to expect you to possess essential life skills like cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, paying bills, and caring for yourself. While it’s perfectly acceptable to seek assistance when needed, the ability to perform simple tasks like washing a dish or two is a fundamental aspect of adult life.
One user shared a contrasting story, highlighting, “I have a 35-year-old cousin who rides that gravy train, but it’s not in a dependent kind of way. He’s lazy and taking advantage. In general, the guy is awful. I could write about his antics for quite some time, but I won’t. He lived with his parents rent-free for years, then was kicked out and moved in with my grandma. Even though he doesn’t live there anymore, she still does his laundry and stocks the only foods he eats, and he’s very particular about how they’re prepared. He only dates 18 to 19-year-old women, which matches his maturity level.”
They continued, “If he was nice and helped around the house, that would be one thing. Unfortunately, he’s nasty to the very people who help him. Disrespectful, unappreciative, and very much takes everything for granted. Gets drunk, parties, and doesn’t work. Leaves huge messes for people to clean up and wastes food. Sleeps until the afternoon and has a tantrum if someone dares to make noise at 1:00 p.m. Yet Grandma falls all over herself to meet his every whim. She still refers to him as a boy, saying, “I have to help him because he’s just a boy.” Ma’am, he has not been a boy for nearly 20 years. Honestly, if I were in that position, it would feel humiliating. Emasculating. But he’s dug in like a tick on a mule deer.”
Parent Applying for a Job for You
By the age of 22, it’s expected that individuals should be capable of independently applying for basic jobs.
One person expressed their concern, stating, “This shouldn’t even apply to kids. How can teenagers be expected to perform a job if they can’t even apply for it themselves?”
In a different context, a non-profit worker shared a story of a teen worker facing a challenging home environment due to their Mom’s issues, “I work for a non-profit that hosts summer camps, and we have a teen worker whose Mom is extremely challenging. She’s diagnosed as a narcissist, hypochondriac, and mildly OCD. We hired the teen understanding it’s not their fault. Despite their difficult situation, this kid is exceptional. They’ve overcome their Mom’s influence and even battled an eating disorder. Every aspect of their life is meticulously controlled, but they shine bright. Despite their Mom’s wealth, they’ll cut ties once they turn 18. So, take chances on people. Sometimes it’s not their fault.”
Relying on Someone Else for Your Livelihood
By the age of 22, it’s generally expected that individuals should have achieved self-sufficiency. However, this viewpoint can be quite controversial on the platform. One user expressed the challenge many face: “It’s a tricky age; too old to be relying on someone else for your livelihood, yet often too young to have secured a job that pays enough to support yourself fully.”
In contrast, another user disagreed, highlighting the difficulties young adults face entering the workforce, especially in the current economic climate. They pointed out the judgment and snobbery often directed towards individuals still in college or recent graduates, emphasizing the scarcity of well-paying jobs for those in their early twenties.
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