Is age just a number?

Life and Its Theories: Society, Family, Friends, and Ourselves

Theories about life are endless—society has its own, our families and friends have theirs, and then there are the theories we create for ourselves.

Recently, I was having a casual conversation with my colleagues when one of them pointed at someone and said, "You know what? She’s just 21." I’m not sure what hit me more—the fact that she was only 21 and already doing something incredible, or the sudden wave of retrospection about my own life when I was 21.

Lately, every time I scroll through Instagram, it feels like the entire world is getting married. I mentioned this to my mom, and, being the savage woman she is, she replied, "Not everyone thinks 29 is the right age to get married like you."

I see my juniors working in better positions and earning more than me. I see my friends achieving great things, and I can’t help but wonder—aren’t we the same age? What am I doing with my life? Should I have started working earlier? Should I have focused on more than just academics? Should I have pursued a side hustle? Am I good enough? Will I be able to make it before I turn 25?

What Are We Really Chasing? And Why the Deadlines?

This February, I turned 24, but, to be honest, I didn’t feel the pre-birthday excitement I once did at 18, 19, or even 20. Is this what adulthood feels like? Or is it just the weight of the number itself?

Every year, responsibilities grow—that much is understandable. But why does it also come with the unsettling feeling of not having accomplished enough? Do you ever feel the same? Why is there a constant urge to compare ourselves, especially in terms of age and achievements?

But what if we looked at it differently? Instead of measuring success through job titles and salaries, what if we considered:

1. The way we have grown as individuals
2. The way we handle our emotions
3. The positive habits we’ve developed
4. The shift in our perspectives on life
5. The way we push ourselves every day
6. The efforts we make to be better each day
7. The courage to try new things
8. The way we manage life on our own
9. The foundation we are building for our future
10. The kindness we still hold and our ability to spread happiness

Don’t these things count? Why do we only gauge our worth based on salary figures and job positions? Why do efforts and personal growth often go unnoticed? Yes, professional success gives us a push to do better, but growth also happens when we take things one step at a time.

People figure things out at different stages in life. Some may find their calling early, while others take longer. What truly matters is figuring out what you want—not at a particular age, but in your own time.

Exploring, Experiencing, and Learning—A Beautiful Way to Live

Life isn’t about racing to meet deadlines. If things aren’t working out today, they will someday. The willingness to learn and grow is what truly matters. Everyone’s journey is unique—so why compare?

So, what do you think? Is age really just a number?