Forum debate: 'You get old before you know it'

Time flies: from 27 to 47 in a blink

How many years do you think are left? Life is measured in decades that vanish. A young man who joined a forum at 20 is now 27, and in 20 years he will be 47. Time waits for no one. The perception that life passes quickly is shared by several participants, who link it to economic precariousness and the feeling of having wasted their youth. Many regret not living more, while others argue that maturity brings serenity. Is youth the best time of life? It depends on who you ask.

The crisis at 27: realizing time flies

At 27, some begin to feel the weight of time. One participant recounts joining the forum at 20 and, now at 27, seeing how he will be 47 in another 20 years. The figure is stark. Youth is perceived as a stage slipping away without achieving financial stability. "You don't have time to do anything financially speaking in this brutal life," he laments. Job insecurity and low wages lead some young people to feel they haven't made the most of their youth. Others, however, defend that maturity offers new opportunities.

The myth of happy youth: reality or fiction?

The idea that youth is the best period of life is questioned by several participants. A 50-year-old teacher claims to feel "stronger, more confident, and calmer than ever" and would not return to his youth "for anything." The myth is debunked. He argues that today's young people are "bitter, weak, and insecure" due to precariousness and lack of prospects. Others agree: the experience and serenity of maturity compensate for the loss of vitality. However, some maintain that youth allows for unique experiences that cannot be recovered later.

The impact of lockdown: stolen years that don't come back

The ELbichito-19 pandemic and lockdowns left a deep mark. Several participants point out that the confinement robbed them of years of social life and experiences. The sense of lost time is worsened by the subsequent economic crisis. Some mention that their 40s flew by because of these lost years. The perception of time accelerates with age: at 40, time passes faster than at 20. Nostalgia for what was not lived mixes with resignation.

Advice to avoid regret: live in the present

Many advise against obsessing over lost time and encourage living in the present. One participant recommends working hard and changing jobs if unhappy, but always ensuring bills are paid. The key is to adapt. Others suggest investing in oneself, traveling, and socializing. Family and health are valued above material things. In the end, life is a joke, but one must try to enjoy it within each person's possibilities.

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What about you? How do you handle the passage of time?