About Youth

Dear my future kids/March 21, 2025

Dear Little Buddies,

Youth is a fleeting, mischievous thing. When I was 18, I thought the saying “Youth is wasted on the young” was just something older people said out of envy. But now, as I start noticing backaches, I understand it differently. It’s not about resentment – it’s about the realization that youth is precious in ways we only grasp once it starts slipping away.

Growing up is strange. Day by day, nothing seems to change, but look back at a photo from six months or six years ago, and suddenly time feels like it has raced ahead.

And the way we define a good time shifts too. Once, all it took was a last-minute text – “Let’s go!” – and I was out the door. Now, if I’m going out, there are conditions:

There must be no added sugar options, not too many carbs, and not too much fat from red meats.
The music should be low enough for conversation.
No harsh lighting, especially no blue light that ruins sleep.

etc…

It’s a far cry from the carefree days when spontaneity ruled.

There’s something undeniably special about being young. Every older person you meet has stories about a time when they were stronger, more energetic, and full of possibilities. Our parents and grandparents had their own moments of beauty and adventure. They, too, danced, laughed, took risks, and made questionable choices.

The truth is, our bodies won’t always be the same. No matter how well we take care of ourselves, youth is a one-way journey. But that’s exactly why it should be embraced while it lasts. Travel, climb, dance, run, swim – do it all. Don’t wait for “someday” – because someday has a funny way of turning into “never.”

And if you ever wonder what it means to really embrace youth, let me tell you about the time I went skiing for the first time and got stuck halfway down a slope because I had completely misjudged my skills. I had no choice but to use my back to slide the rest of the way down, laughing and screaming the whole time. Or that summer when I thought hiking in a foreign country without a map would be an exciting adventure, only to end up following a stray dog who somehow led me back to civilization. Or that ziplining trip where I was more focused on taking in the view than braking properly – let’s just say I arrived at the end much faster than intended. Or when I hosted a skydiving event with friends, convinced everyone it would be the thrill of a lifetime – only to chicken out at the last minute. But it was too late. I was the host, and my pride wouldn’t let me back out. So I jumped, and I cried all the way down.

That’s the thing about youth – it’s your ticket to try things before your back starts hurting, before your knees make those funny noises when you stand up, before you start needing a “recovery period” after a fun night out.

And it’s not just about the physical. When we’re young, we see the world differently. We believe in happy endings, in kindness, in endless possibilities. We don’t second-guess ourselves as much. We don’t measure friendships by status or achievements. There is an innocence to youth that makes everything feel fresh, exciting, and real.

But over time, many people lose that spark. They become cautious, self-conscious, and hesitant. They filter their thoughts, dampen their enthusiasm, and fall into predictable routines.

Yet, some people stay young at heart no matter their age. They keep their curiosity, their joy, and their openness to life. They take up new hobbies at 50, crack jokes at 70, and chase new dreams at 80. It’s not about the number of years but about how we choose to live them.

There’s a well-known saying: “We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one.”

So, if you find yourself feeling lost, pressured, or weighed down by expectations, remember that youth isn’t just about age. It’s a mindset. A choice to keep exploring, laughing, and embracing life.

In New York, there’s a club on West 54th Street where the beats of the 80s never stop, and the dance floor is alive with people in their 50s and beyond. They’re not just reliving their glory days – they’re creating new ones, moving to the rhythm with a joy that’s contagious. Or take the aunties I’ve seen at the park, swaying and spinning to the lambada as part of their exercise routine. Many of them are in their 60s, but you’d never guess it from the way they laugh and move, their energy defying the numbers on their birth certificates.

That’s what life should be. Youth may fade, but its spirit doesn’t have to. The choice is ours. So, whether you’re 18 or 80, keep that spark alive. Dance in the rain, laugh until your stomach hurts, and never stop chasing the magic that makes life worth living. After all, the best adventures are the ones that make your heart feel young.

Youth fades, but the spirit of it doesn’t have to. The choice is ours.