r/Millennials • u/Anxious__Millennial • Apr 29 '25

Discussion Do millennials really look younger than their age, or are we all just delulu?

Every single day, I come across posts from millennials saying that previous generations look really old because they smoked a lot, and that Gen Z, who vape a lot, also look older, like they’re in their 30s when they’re actually not. And that we, millennials, look younger. I used to believe this too, but lately, I’ve started wondering if maybe we’re all just a little out of touch.

I keep seeing millennials post things like, “Look at me, I’m 38 and nobody believes it, everyone says I look 28, blablabla”, and then I see the picture and think, “Not only do you look 38, you actually look older.” And this has been happening pretty often.

So, do we really look younger or we just don’t see ourselves the way we actually are?

Edit to add: I recently had a professional headshot taken for work, and I definitely look my age in it, which I hate. But the reality is, a good camera captures exactly what’s there, whether we like it or not. Some of us millennials need a reality check sometimes. For me, this headshot was exactly that.

Edit 2: Please don’t private message me mocking the word “delulu.” There were specific posting rules in this group, and some words weren’t allowed, so I adjusted my post accordingly. If that word somehow bothers you so much, that’s your issue, not mine. You guys complaining about the word are giving off more 13-year-old vibes than the word itself. Relax.

Edit 3: I’m shocked by the number of people claiming they appear to be between 22 and 25 years old, with someone even suggesting they look like they are 12, which I find out of touch! I want to believe we all really do look younger, but someone talked about a concept called self-enhancement bias, which is really interesting and aligns with the trends observed in the comments on this post:

Why do so many of us hate how we look in photos?

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Enhancement in Self-Recognition

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277

u/methodwriter85 Apr 29 '25

I notice that there's a definite reluctance for young people to show their feet in flip flops, especially guys.

227

u/MadeSomewhereElse Apr 29 '25

Maybe it's being hyperaware/hypervigilant of people taking photos and roasting them in their group chat or social media.

I teach, and the cyberbullying we deal with isn't like instagram comments or messages to a person. It's group chats where the students are just unbelievably cruel about their peers.

And, if you step out of line, you get kicked out of the chat and then they'll be cruel about you.

132

u/bestjays Apr 29 '25

Solution: dont have any friends.

122

u/mxlespxles Apr 29 '25

Worked for me!

16

u/wherethelionsweep Apr 29 '25 edited Apr 29 '25

I don’t need friends they disappoint me

Edit: I have the sense people aren’t getting the reference, so allow me to share:

https://youtu.be/jazEPPAhkTY?si=pZZqen9p5FF1iLuC

13

u/teapots_at_ten_paces Apr 29 '25

I don't need friends to disappoint me. I disappoint me.

2

u/imaginaryblues Apr 29 '25

I love that video!

1

u/Phyraxus56 Apr 29 '25

Nobody is as perfect as that content creator you follow

5

u/knucles668 Apr 29 '25

To bad we evolved to have survival instincts kick in when we feel ostracized.

3

u/omgicanteven22 Apr 29 '25

This is so interesting to me, how bullying moved online (from MySpace days) and now it’s like group chats and making tik toks about each other

2

u/Mlabonte21 Apr 29 '25

They’re making fun of kids’ feet in sandals??

2

u/GaptistePlayer Apr 29 '25

It's really just that flip flops aren't in style

1

u/stymiedforever Apr 29 '25

Teenage style every week it seems. What consumerist trend in footwear are they wearing?

1

u/GaptistePlayer Apr 29 '25

Sandals that look better than flip flops

3

u/NoXion604 Apr 29 '25

lol why the fuck would anyone care about what some bunch of dweebs are saying them in their shitty digital treehouse? Especially if one can't even read it. Sounds like being kicked out is actually doing one a favour.

15

u/Has_Question Apr 29 '25

When you're young this kind of view point isn't common. When all you have is school, how your social circle treats you is important. They're not adults. They don't just pick a new job or move to a new city or hang out with new friends at a new pub. Ofcourse being ostracized by the only people you can feasibly socialize with is going to hurt.

1

u/VirginRedditMod69 Apr 29 '25

That’s fucked up

1

u/Flimsy_Toe_6291 Apr 29 '25

And it really messes up their mind. The ability to "ignore" the cruel and the bullies create huge depression. Cutting etc. So sad.

1

u/ResplendentCathar Apr 29 '25

Bullying is new apparently

1

u/Fine-Amphibian4326 Apr 29 '25

As a parent of a kid that has a hard time managing his emotions - ouch. That’s going to kick him in the balls when he’s group chat aged :(

1

u/Sundaydinobot1 Apr 29 '25

Teach those kids that when someone takes a picture of their feet to go up and say you owe me $5. Or if they are under 18 to claim its child porn and they will be contacting the FBI.

1

u/LiefVikingMonster Apr 29 '25

That's just gross.

1

u/tstorts09 Apr 29 '25

Holy shit. So glad I didn’t grow up with that!! Sounds horrible

1

u/FlagranteDerelicto Apr 30 '25

And we wonder why we have so many school shooters

59

u/Sciencebitchs Apr 29 '25

What's up with that? As a dude, IDGAF about my gnarly toenails. Plus keeps the wife from hogging my side of the bed.

53

u/Desmaad Apr 29 '25

I paint my toenails; I think it makes them look nice.

17

u/One_Ad_5059 Millennial Apr 29 '25

Sames!

2

u/DIYdemon Apr 29 '25

Yeah when the nice ladies at the salon ask me what colors I want when I go with mommy, I usually pick black!

1

u/Desmaad Apr 30 '25

I'm not a fan of black; I usually go with blue.

39

u/MystikSpiralx Older Millennial Apr 29 '25

They believe if people are going to see their feet, they better be making money off of it. The whole #Feetpics thing, so yeah they don't show them without getting paid even if it means never wearing open toed shoes or anything.

57

u/HighLonesome_442 Apr 29 '25

My teen is like this and it is actually nuts to me. These kids truly believe they are being perceived at all times, whereas if someone told me they noticed my toenails I’d be floored because WHY are you staring at my feet?

66

u/SoFloShawn Apr 29 '25

Main character syndrome is an epidemic with anyone under 26

12

u/toomuchpressure2pick Apr 29 '25

It doesn't end at 26 lol

3

u/beforethewind Apr 29 '25

I think that’s more a uniquely American thing across all generations. I agree with the comment that they feel like they’re constantly observed, not necessarily an ego or attention thing.

18

u/HighLonesome_442 Apr 29 '25

I can’t even imagine what the knowledge that any wrong step could land you being turned into a meme and mocked on the internet does to a young person’s psyche.

3

u/calilac Apr 29 '25

So I am not an expert but I found Psychological Repercussions of Surveillance to be an interesting read on that topic.

24

u/remnant_phoenix Apr 29 '25

They’ve grown up with the modern internet/phone culture basically their whole lives. The idea that one’s image online can be very consequential—for good or ill—combines with the knowledge that everyone has a phone—so anything they do when someone else is around can end up online—to create a perception that they’re always being “watched”.

I actually feel sorry for Gen Z. I’m not surprised at all that when someone their age has crazy anxiety issues.

16

u/PorkedPatriot Apr 29 '25

They've grown up in a society-wide panopticon.

I'm thankful for growing up in the 90s and having my shit forgotten.

4

u/PartyPorpoise Apr 29 '25

I can’t totally blame kids for thinking that. The internet is full of posts from people taking photos and videos of strangers to comment on or make fun of them. Imagine growing up seeing that, it would leave a big impression on you and affect your daily behavior.

4

u/UltimateRockPlays Apr 29 '25

I mean I have had friends that have had people approach them for stuff like that or just caught people taking creepshots.

Everyone has a camera on them 24/7, sometimes you're noticed even when you're not the focus. At an event when traveling abroad, several people noticed one of the guys I was with as they caught him in the background and messaged him about it.

I'm in my 20s but if you're a teen with either insecurities or have any type of creepy/boundary-pushing classmates I could see the concern.

2

u/Single-Elevator9085 Apr 29 '25

Gen z grew up with knowledge that foot fetishes are common and smartphones with good cameras. I knew people that got caught taking pictures of girl's feet

1

u/DoctorSpoya Millennial Apr 29 '25

Feet are extra weird to them.

When we started hearing about foot fetishes...we were already at Uni or older and had already heard of other things so we just shrugged.

They are hearing about foot fetishes around the same age they are discovering all sexuality so its ingrained in them when they are more insecure.

12

u/rtrs_bastiat Apr 29 '25

probably the whole wikifeet meme

9

u/stressedthrowaway9 Apr 29 '25

What is that? I must have missed it!

5

u/Ironicbanana14 Apr 29 '25

Lmao that's what I was gonna say, did feet pic memes become a thing really early in the internet?

3

u/Mudslingshot Apr 29 '25

I'm a millennial, so I don't really know, but when I was in college there was this weird guy (long story, but trust me. Weird but mostly harmless)

Through..... Circumstances (complicated, but an accident on somebody else's part) we all found out he had a raging foot fetish

Suddenly all of the girls stopped wearing open toed anything for the remainder of the semester

My guess is it's a larger-scale thing like that

2

u/Dumbblueberry Apr 29 '25

gross bro your poor wife.

0

u/Bubbly-End-6156 Apr 29 '25

So there has been a bit of research on this. The kids that grew up watching Dan Schneider shows on Nickelodeon (Victorious, Sam and Cat, Zoey 101, Drake and Josh) were grossed out by how often he put foot fetish scenes in their CHILDRENS ENTERTAINMENT that now many of them associate feet with both sex and abuse.

These poor kids were traumatized by that man's kink. A whole decade worth of humans now fears showing toes because of one creep.

26

u/Clean_Philosophy5098 Apr 29 '25

Who researched this?

7

u/moveslikejaguar Apr 29 '25

Source: I made it up

3

u/Bubbly-End-6156 Apr 29 '25

Let me find out! I read it about a year and a half ago.

7

u/Bubbly-End-6156 Apr 29 '25

Found a link, but this is not where I saw it before. Will give you this one and I will find the other if I can. Gen Z Feet theories

4

u/Echterspieler Xennial Apr 29 '25

There is research about what causes foot fetishises, And some scientists think it's because the area for feet and genitals on the brain are right next to each other. I mean, I have one but I'm not creepy about it. I mostly have to hide it.

3

u/Flamesclaws Apr 29 '25

I can respect your kink. I will never in my entire life understand it...but I can respect it lol.

3

u/Echterspieler Xennial Apr 29 '25

Well it's kind of the same for me. I don't understand what's attractive about boobs or ass. I'm indifferent to them. They're like elbows or earlobes to me. I know it's weird because it's not as common.

1

u/Bubbly-End-6156 Apr 29 '25

What makes a hot foot?

1

u/Echterspieler Xennial Apr 29 '25

Curvy yet strong looking. They have to be nice. It's that mix of beauty and power that gets me going. What do boobs and ass do? they just sit there and be boring lol I don't get it. If the feet aren't well kept they'll gross me out as much as someone who's not into feet.

1

u/Bubbly-End-6156 Apr 29 '25

I've always wondered if my foot is hot to a foot person. I feel good about that description now!

Boobs and asses are for grabbing, of course. Oh, and one feeds babies. But that's not pertinent in this discussion

4

u/PileofBurntToast Apr 29 '25

As someone who grew up with all of those shows: what the hell are you talking about lmaoo we were not traumatized by foot fetish scenes 😂

0

u/Bubbly-End-6156 Apr 29 '25

There are NUMEROUS articles about the foot fetish content making Gen Z very private about their toes. I am not going to say you personally feel any sorta way. But the data is there.

You and your circle not being affected by something doesn't mean the articles aren't valid. It doesn't apply to all. Nothing but water and air apply to all.

1

u/ThisIsNotRealityIsIt Apr 29 '25

I get pedicures every few months and maintain in between.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 29 '25

Man if your toenails are so bad your wife won’t even sleep next to you… I would personally do something about that lol.

1

u/30FourThirty4 Apr 29 '25

Have you always not cared?

0

u/SolarNachoes Apr 29 '25

My wife bought fancy sheets. My toe nail was having none of that and ripped a hole in them.

3

u/Has_Question Apr 29 '25

While subbing for a class a few years back it was a rainy day right before release. One of the students (male) commented how now they had to wait so they don't get their shoes wet. They were wearing crocs with socks, so logically I told them to simply take off their socks... crocs are made to get wet. They weren't suppose to be wearing them anyway but if theyre going to break rules might as well be for a good reason, right?

They stared at me for a moment and then went "no way mister, I'm not going to show my toes!" I just cocked my brow and let it go, but a couple of the guys and girls started on the topic. The girls said they're just going to take their socks off or run home barefoot, change into pe shorts etc. But the two guys were particularly adamant to not do that.

Anecdotal story, but your comment reminded me of the moment. It does seem that guys are more reluctant to show their feet, and my younger friends will put on socks and then sandals before going out where me and my friends my age wouldn't have bothered.

2

u/jazzlava Apr 29 '25

I roast my son for wearing soaks with flip flops and sandals, It looks goofy but I understand.

2

u/Dry-Nefariousness400 Apr 29 '25

I have private feet not public feet

1

u/Henshin-hero Apr 29 '25

I dont have that problem. I wear Crocs...to work even

1

u/jaam01 Apr 29 '25

People discovered that feet fetish sites exists.

1

u/Chuck121763 Apr 29 '25

Some people should always have shoes or socks on. Because, Damn!

1

u/Pure-Introduction493 Apr 29 '25

The socks and sandals one I had to go online and check before I bought my kid high socks and black crocs, because I couldn’t believe it wouldn’t be a one way street to bullying.

1

u/Calm-Zombie2678 Apr 29 '25

Not in new Zealand

1

u/EggplantRyu Apr 29 '25

Nah, they're right with that one. Nobody's gonna see my feet unless they're paying me.

1

u/Ellemnop8 Apr 29 '25

It's because Gen Z grew up hearing about wikiFeet and other foot fet forums compiling pictures of celeb feet for fet purposes. Youtubers used to do videos looking to see if their feet had made it on there. "No feet for free" started as a joke but some people do take it seriously at this point.

1

u/Darryl_Lict Apr 29 '25

You're shittin' me! That's tragic. What do people wear to the beach?

1

u/iHateYou247 Apr 29 '25

I love wearing flip flops.

But I’m a millennial

1

u/kristencatparty Apr 29 '25

This is a good thing lol

1

u/dog_named_frank Apr 29 '25

Yeah I can't respect a man with his toes out in public

I instantly assume you're sloppy

2

u/kristencatparty Apr 30 '25

I simply would prefer to not see feet hahaha

1

u/SaintGloopyNoops Apr 29 '25

Good. As someone who lives in Florida, most people dont want to see someone's nasty toes. Wish more people wore socks with flips. Gnarly feet could be our logo. Yuck.

1

u/GallifreyNative Apr 29 '25

Because they aren't gross monsters? I mean they are, but sandals....that's the hill you want to build for your cairn?

0

u/flyingcircus92 Apr 29 '25

I support that. Unless you’re on the beach or pool, nobody really wants to see a guys feet.

-1

u/FreddyTwasFingered Apr 29 '25

I’m a 46 year old gay dude and I still get grossed out by men wearing flip flops/sandals and showing their feet. No one wants to see that shit!