“Heck, I’m Old”: 50 Funny Posts About People Realizing They’re Not Kids Anymore (New Pics)

If we were to believe the Happiness U-Curve, one of the happiest periods of our lives universally ischildhood. It’s when we don’t have any worries, responsibilities, debts, and life was just generally easier. Different generations have different things that remind them of their early years.

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Cartoon character holding another character, with nostalgic childhood memory quote in the background.

Underdog Magic Slate Paper Saver with cartoon characters, evoking childhood nostalgia.

Nostalgic text highlights struggles of singing wrong lyrics before internet era.

Althoughnostalgic depressionisn’t an official subtype of depression, mental health experts did use the term back in the 1600s. One doctor used it to describe the melancholy and homesickness that Swiss soldiers used to feel when fighting away from home.

Three animated characters from childhood cartoons stand against a red background.

Vintage rotary phone with text about slamming it down, evoking childhood nostalgia.

Vintage Nestle Quik tin with text asking if you remember using a knife or spoon to open the lid, evoking childhood memories.

In the 1900s, sociologist Fred Davis offered to make a distinction between nostalgia and homesickness. From then on, his peers continued to look into the consequences ofnostalgiaand to study its benefits. You see, a bit of nostalgia does give us a warm, fuzzy feeling, but that’s mostly because it’s selective.Nostalgia is very biased; we tend to romanticize it and remember only the bits that felt good. Even as you scroll through this list, you’ll see that people often share nostalgic things associated with happiness, community, their childhood friends, or funny and wholesome memories.

Nostalgia is very biased; we tend to romanticize it and remember only the bits that felt good. Even as you scroll through this list, you’ll see that people often share nostalgic things associated with happiness, community, their childhood friends, or funny and wholesome memories.

Sign reads “I’m so old my high school had a smoking area,” reminiscing childhood past in front of a rural building.

Vintage cow-themed tin can reminding us of childhood past.

Vintage merry-go-round in a playground, evoking childhood nostalgia and carefree playtimes from the past.

In 2021, a team of researchersfoundthat our response to nostalgic memories depends on whether they’re generated on request or just come to us in our daily lives. When you open your phone and go throughold pictureson purpose, you’ll rate these nostalgic recollections more positively. If some memories just catch you off guard throughout the day, you might dwell more on their negative side.

Group photo of people in uniforms and suits in front of a bridge, evoking childhood nostalgia.

Dancers in vintage attire performing energetically on a rooftop, evoking childhood nostalgia.

Close-up of a bicycle pedal with text about childhood memories.

We sometimes look back tothe pastto feel better about the present. When we’re lonely, depressed, or just plain sad, we like to go back to the good ol' days and reminisce about how good they were. That prompted some researchers to suggest that nostalgia itself can make us feel more lonely, sad, and even depressed.

Vintage Sylvania Blue Dot magicube from childhood, showcasing nostalgic technology in photography.

Smiling person holding a glass bottle from the movie “The Gods Must Be Crazy,” evoking memories of childhood.

Wooden salad bowl with humorous caption about age, evoking childhood nostalgia.

Yet other researchershave foundthat our response to nostalgic memories depends on how we’re feeling that day. If we’re already feeling lonely, nostalgic memories may exacerbate those feelings. “Nostalgia did not attenuate, but rather exaggerated the negative effects of loneliness on affective well-being,” the authors of one study concluded.

“Stones arranged to spell ‘GOODBYE,’ evoking childhood memories and nostalgia."

Children playing with toy cars in a yard, evoking nostalgic childhood memories.

Childhood nostalgia with Bugs Bunny in a cartoon scene, featuring two characters in suits and hats.

Vintage cigarette vending machine reminding us of our childhood, featuring brand labels and coin slots.

Vintage Fisher-Price popper toy with red wheels and blue handle, evoking childhood nostalgia.

Vintage TV and record player combo with a woman posing beside, evoking childhood nostalgia.

Nostalgic memories can also help us build and maintain our mental fortitude. In one survey, 84% of the respondentssaidthat nostalgic memories serve as reminders of what is precious and meaningful in their lives. For others, they’re a source of comfort (77%) and even inspiration (72%).

Vintage yellow step stool chair with black tread on wooden floor, evoking childhood memories.

Vintage TV dial showing channels, evoking childhood nostalgia with classic VHF and UHF settings.

Vintage wooden waterbed with a large headboard and mirrors, evoking childhood nostalgia.

Social psychologist Clay Routledge, PhD, vice president of research and director of the Human Flourishing Lab,told the APAthat nostalgia can help people move forward. “It makes people more optimistic about the future, it boosts well-being, it reduces anxiety, it increases positive mood and self-esteem and meaning in life. But more than that, it makes people thankful, and it energizes them.”

Wooden toy airplane with red designs, reminiscent of childhood memories.

Wooden bowl filled with assorted nuts, reminiscent of childhood memories.

Childhood nostalgia with cartoons and cereal, featuring a kid watching TV and a toy on the floor.

Nostalgia is also good for our future well-being. As a social psychologist from the University of Winchester, Verbon Cheung,explained to WaPo, it activates a sort of “mental highway” we can use to project into the future. When we remember past successes and friendships, it drives us to pursue new goals, meet new people, or even reconnect with old acquaintances.

Man wearing a humorous shirt about aging, standing outdoors, evoking childhood nostalgia.

Red plastic adapter for 45 RPM records held between fingers, invoking childhood memories.

Wooden folding ruler on a dark surface, evoking childhood memories and the past.

A group of people in vintage attire, reminiscent of childhood memories, standing in an elegantly decorated room.

Plastic hand puppet of Ronald McDonald evokes childhood nostalgia.

Flintstones vitamins lined up, symbolizing childhood nostalgia for Gen-X.

Sony car stereo from the past, reminding us of our childhood, placed on a wooden table.

Two people playing a vintage video game on a retro TV, evoking childhood nostalgia.

Vintage General Electric can opener and knife sharpener evokes childhood nostalgia.

Two men in 80s fashion, wearing leather jackets and stylish accessories, evoking nostalgic childhood memories.

Car pedals on a floor with a cigarette lighter, evoking nostalgia and childhood memories.

Man reminiscing about childhood, pondering in front of abstract painting, captioned “Few will remember him."

Smiling person in red uniform with cap saluting, evoking childhood memories.

Soylent plant-based nutrition shakes on a store shelf, featuring creamy chocolate flavor and nutritional benefits.

Fruit Stripe gum package with colorful stripes and cartoon animal, evoking childhood nostalgia.

Image of four worn cassette tape storage cases, evoking childhood nostalgia for the past.

Vintage car fuel cap hidden behind chrome bumper, evoking childhood memories.

Moon character with sunglasses at McDonald’s, iconic childhood memory for those near 40, with fries and drinks.

Vintage air pump at a gas station, evoking childhood memories of past road trips.

Two men in a nostalgic then-and-now comparison, capturing memories of childhood past.