Do you often feel younger than people who are younger than you?

[Richmondbread]

In almost all situations, I feel like I'm the young one. I guess it's because I'm the youngest of 5 children (my oldest sister is 19 years older than I am). Perhaps this is a psychological issue. I always look up to people younger as if they know more than I do, or I should listen to them, because I feel that I am the student and they are the teacher. At work I am probably at least a decade older than most of the staff, yet I feel that I am the 20 year old kid and they are the adults. Does anyone else experience this? As I get older it gets weirder. I know people probably think I am the one who should be "in the know", or has life figured out. Most people my age have families and are raising children which are well on their way to middle school. When I meet people who are many years older than I am, I can start to feel like a child.

[Borealis]

I always feel young due to lack of proper development and experiences.

[Richmondbread]

I always feel young due to lack of proper development and experiences.

If you're under a certain age it's not as strange, since you are the the young one. But when you are well into adulthood, it feels really strange.

[Harley]

Are you uncomfortable feeling this way?

For me, it is the opposite. Even if I’m younger, it seems I always take the lead. People look to me for comfort and security. I strive hard to be a protective and nurturing person, but I’m sure it doesn’t always come off that way.

Tl;dr, I’m usually the parental figure in a group.

[happycow]

No. I feel exactly my age.

[Richmondbread]

Are you uncomfortable feeling this way?

For me, it is the opposite. Even if I’m younger, it seems I always take the lead. People look to me for comfort and security. I strive hard to be a protective and nurturing person, but I’m sure it doesn’t always come off that way.

Tl;dr, I’m usually the parental figure in a group.

Yes, mainly because I know that since I am the older one, more is expected of me. Younger people think I should be the one in charge. Responsibility is more thrust upon you as you age. That is the difficult part for me. I don't really have the answers.

[Harley]

Yes, mainly because I know that since I am the older one, more is expected of me. Younger people think I should be the one in charge. Responsibility is more thrust upon you as you age. That is the difficult part for me. I don't really have the answers.

It’s okay to not be in charge. I would venture to say even better that you are able to admit this, instead of forcing yourself into a position that would make you more uncomfortable. Do you think that if you did have the knowledge to proceed in taking an authority position?

[Dna8]

I've always felt older, weary, even as a child (and especially so from about the age of fourteen)

[Mr.G]

I think I register now that I am the older more experienced one in the situations you describe and I naturally assume a leadership role as appropriate. That being said, to a great degree I really am still just that little kid inside, with many of the same fears and doubts. From the song, 'The Boxer':

Now the years are rolling by me
They are rockin' evenly
I am older than I once was
And younger than I'll be and that's not unusual.
No it isn't strange
After changes upon changes
We are more or less the same
After changes we are more or less the same

[xtal]

I still feel like I’m in high school