Youth Envy 01

Youth Envy

When I rushed into Spanish class, I felt the multitude of eyes burning me like a rushed sip of hot coffee in the morning while I hopelessly scanned through the room for a chair to sit. As the professor talked about language and accents, I was busy realizing how young the rest of the class was.

  This crowd made me feel in high school all over again, it also made me realize how annoying I used to be back then. But the passion and intelligence of those kids inspired me and the youth in their faces gave me a bittersweet nostalgia. 

I felt old in the class, mind you, I'm just in my twenties, but I sensed the high vibrations coming from the souls of those kids and it felt great! After that experience, I understand why there is youth envy in the world.  I call “youth envy” the strong desire to feel and look younger.  

Some humans seem to have a need to connect to youth because it makes them feel alive. Last year, I got hired for an internship mainly because the organization needed a young perspective at the office. 

People feel the need to be close to the youth because a young soul brings innocence, enthusiasm and a reflection of joy into people’s lives. 

See, the thing is, when one is young, one is naive, pure, and unaware of the bitter ways of life. However, one needs those experiences to make us wiser, aware of ourselves and the world we live in.

Youth envy goes beyond desiring or being around the youth. It goes towards the fact that, as we mature, we tend to miss our younger selves, the free time, and even the tranquility that comes from naiveness.

 Youth envy reflects in the money we spend on a consistent basis to stay looking fresh. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, in 2017 approximately 1.8 million cosmetic surgical procedures were done, not mentioning the 15.7 million minimally invasive procedures such as Botox and fillers performed in the same year.  

Youth envy is the monthly facials and weekly trips to the salon or barbershop. Youth envy goes as far as people denying their ages at barbecues parties out of the fear of being judged as old and boring. 

But it does not have to be this way, as a twenty-something-year-old individual. Let me tell you, I seek wisdom in all the people I chose to include in my life, from my romantic partner to my Brazilian wax lady.  I believe wisdom is the armor of protection from the uncertainties life can bring and is amazing to have wise people around to learn from. 

There is nothing wrong with getting some fillers here and there, is okay to want our youth back but I also want to remind you that wisdom is much better. After all, we are only given one life at the time. So, instead of focusing on the lack, let us be mindful that life is a journey and the only thing we should focus on is on making it the best journey it can possibly be. 

 Sincerely

Marie