do you think think theres a yardstick by which you can categorize somebody as an old person? I’ve been feeling very old lately, and returning to this website after years doesn’t help much either. Only makes me reminisce times i’ve lost. I realize aging is inevitable, but don’t we suppress individuality, creativity as we mature? as if we institutionalize ourselves with a system that makes guinea pigs out of us all? I’m not necessarily calling aging a horrifying experience… i’m merely trying to analyze the pros and cons of it all.
Re: Aging
Its the past that make you feel old. Its the experiences that makes you feel old. For some its the harshness of life that makes them feel old.
I think we all can feel that way from time to time. But if you reminisce over "lost" time toooooo much.........then you'll lose EVEN MORE time. You'll lose the moments in the PRESENT that you could have spent in a more positive and productive manner.
Sure, we all reminisce about the past....but don't let it rob you of your present and future. Also, I think it's human nature to be unsatisfied. I think that even many wealthy individuals who have led a life of luxury and privilege since infancy......would at times feel that they haven't "lived" their life fully or that they haven't done everything on their "To Do" list.
^^^It's hard to accomplish everything......but maybe what you consider "lost time" or even the "more difficulty and trying times" of your past.......could have been the ones that developed/strengthened your character the most. Those moments could have been the ones that made your wiser, gave your more insight into people and life in general.
Also, the "lost time" of the past.....where you think that you had done absolutely "nothing" (nothing exciting or out of the ordinary happened, for example)........think of people who lived more troubled lives (frequent abuse, poverty, rape, etc). Maybe those people would have traded their more "unpredictable/exciting" lives for the security and comfort of your more "boring" one.
Make a list of the goals you want to achieve. It could be something as small as trying a food that you've always been interested in to traveling. Discuss them with family and friends. Maybe they'll be interested in participating....and that'll motivate you to accomplish them. Tell yourself that you'll cross of one goal (the short term ones) each week off your list. Break up the more long-term goals into more shorter and achievable steps.
****** Yes, society can have its expectations.....but think of people who are OLDER....who accomplished so much......and don't care too much about fitting society's mold. They could serve as inspiration.
****** Finally (and I think I should have typed this earlier)...think about participating in charity work....or do some volunteer work at your local hospital, homeless shelter....other organizations. Such activities are spiritually uplifting....can help stave depression (not saying you have it).....you may feel that you've made good use of time that would have otherwise felt more "lost."
Re: Aging
You asked about yardstick.
There's a coworker who is in her twenties (same age range as myself).......but she acts older than her age because she's very negative most of the time. Always complaining about this or that.....very rarely saying positive things or complimenting others. You can see the unhappiness/bitterness/jealousy on her face. Her attitude and behavior ages her....makes her appear older both physically and personality-wise as well.
On the other hand....there are coworkers older than her (in their 30s...40s) who are so lively....and positive.....that they don't seem "old" to you. You think of their age as just a number.......because they don't allow themselves to "surrender" to their age, if that makes sense. Although the girl I mentioned earlier is in the same age range as me..........I prefer to hang out with the older teachers who are more positive....and don't drag you down and make you feel old.
We had a party for the students yesterday. And big bouncy houses were set up for the kids. I and several other teachers (those older than me....who have kids in HIGH SCHOOL).......got into the those bounce houses....ran through the obstacles...climbed the walls....and went down the slides. It was so much fun....to be a kid again and to feel so carefree. Nobody stopped us adults. In fact, it encouraged the others to join in. You be a grown up when you need to.....and allow yourself to be a kid at times as well....regardless of what other people/society think :)
^When you're on your deathbed....you're not going to wonder if you made society happy....but more if you've lived your life. I try to keep that in mind and the older I get.....I'm becoming more relaxed about the common desi fear of "log kya kahain ge" because the people you fear are just as imperfect as you are...and sometimes worse.
Re: Aging
Dil hona chayda jawan , umraan wich ke rakhiya 
I think you are old , when you think that you are old . I use to see a really old lady jogging around the campus and so many time when I looked her from behind I always thought , oh she is some hot blond . But only to bust my bubble when I saw her from the front .
Anyways , think young and stay young . Don’t count years too much 