New York Post
Age before beauty? Absolutely not.
Thirty, flirty and thriving is apparently no longer the holy grail for teens and twenty-somethings online. Those born between 1997 and 2013 are expressing grim concerns about hitting the big 3-0 — a milestone that some of these youngsters fear will immediately zap them of their sexiness, stamina and overall value.
“In just the past few days, I have seen multiple Gen Zs (the vast majority women) on various platforms, including Reddit and Instagram, express a desire to unalive in their 30s or when they reach 40 because they cannot handle the fact that they will age [and] ‘become unattractive’ [or] ‘become hags,’” an alarmed whistleblower recently penned to Reddit’s PSA thread.
“Some [have] even expressed not bothering with healthy eating habits, saving money or planning on having careers because they feel so strongly about this,” continued the scandalmonger — presumably a member of the Gen Z demographic.
“I don’t think this is necessarily our fault,” the insider continued. “But I do see (and recognize in myself) a fear of aging, and instead of [there being a psychological and social movement] to combat this, we simply turn to consumerism to try and ‘fix the problem.’”
The Reddit ranter went on to refer to the recent uptick in anti-aging products and trends — such as getting “baby Botox” and covering themselves in face tape — that have been virally adopted by beauty buffs as young as age 10 who hope to ward off wrinkles, lines and sags.
The movement to remain forever young is being charged by both folks in their early twenties and teenyboppers on TikTok.
On the buzzy app, hashtags such as #AntiAging, with over 8 billion views, and #SephoraKids — a stamp with nearly 222 million views used by makeup lovers to gripe about the influx of elementary schoolers flocking to cosmetics shops for skin rejuvenators and collagen boosters — are at all-time trending highs.
“We need to do better, for ourselves and for younger generations,” the anonymous mouthpiece implored on Reddit. “Skincare should be something we do to prevent cancer and to make us feel good, not another tool to try [to] fit into a patriarchal mold.”
And the folks of all ages eagerly agreed that the panic of getting older is getting out of hand.
“So much of my generation basically views life after college as one long, pointless, depressing downward slide toward a nursing home and death,” wrote a fellow Gen Zer. “In the minds of many young people, life might as well end at 22 because what even comes after? Working nonstop? Taxes? Wrinkles and health issues? Losing your hair and your friend network and your free time? It’s a very dark and reductionist worldview, but it is definitely pervasive among Gen Z.”
A handful of millennials, Gen Xers and boomers blamed the internet for inciting the aging phobia.
“I work with some Gen Zs and they had a very warped, depressing view on what it’s like to be in your 30s before they met me and the other millennials at my work…I think social media has really screwed with our heads,” a commentator chimed.
“People glorify being in your 20s way too much. Ultimately it’s just one decade and it doesn’t last long,” wrote another.
“This feels more like a quarter-life crisis about mortality and facing a new part of your life…I freaked out about that too when I neared 25 but I didn’t have as pervasive a social media culture drumming that into me,” said an equally miffed user.
“I feel like aging to Gen Z is what ‘being fat’ was to millennials. Remember how ruthless the media [and] everyone was about that?,” another noted.
However, for some thirty-year-olds-to-be, their worries about becoming a decade older aren’t rooted in angst around losing their looks. Instead, they feel intimidated by the pressures of adulthood.
“Here’s why I’m so scared to turn 30 this year,” confessed NYC influencer Nicole Ashely to a TikTok audience of over 29,000.
“I think I grew up thinking that before 30 I had to have my sh—t together. I had to have a great job, the most perfect relationship children — I had to have it all together.”
“And that’s honestly just not the case.”
A fellow Gen Z named Gabriela echoed those sentiments in a separate post, writing in the closed captions: “I’m 29 The fear of turning 30 is getting to me. I have no kids. I feel like I’m running out of time. I still don’t have my life figured out. I’m missing something.”
But ladies online who’ve already reached age 30 and beyond are urging their successors not to freak out.
“I’m in my mid 30s…I stress about my birthday every year,” admitted NYC beauty influencer Ivanka Dekojing in a confessional clip. “Like, ‘Oh my god, another year older. I should be at this place in life — I don’t have a house yet or kids.’”
“But…It is a privilege to live another year,” she said. “It is a privilege to live another day and it is a privilege to be alive.”
“Life is precious.”
This was originally published on The New York Post
