Is 35 the New 80? Gen Z's Take on Aging Has Millennials Spiraling

Are You "Old" at 35? Gen Z Thinks So—and Millennials Can't Handle It

If you’re over 30 and feeling good about life, buckle up. According to a spicy new poll from Edubirdie, 22% of Gen Z believes that 35 is officially "old." Yep. That’s the cutoff. No more TikTok relevance, no more cool sneakers—you’re done.

And it doesn’t stop there. A full 26% say 40 is straight-up geriatric. Like, walker-and-pills energy. Millennials (most of whom are hovering around their mid-30s) are clutching their Hydro Flasks and screaming into their skincare fridges.

But underneath the memes and midlife crises, there’s a deeper question: Why does Gen Z view aging so differently?

Millennials Aged Gracefully—Or So They Thought

Let’s rewind. Millennials (born 1981–1996) were told they’d be adults by 25, have kids by 30, and own a house by 35. LOL, right? Thanks to a wild economy, student loans, and a pandemic, most just started figuring things out in their 30s.

To them, 30s = prime time. You’ve still got energy, but you’ve also got money (sometimes), confidence, and fewer toxic situationships. You’re still hitting the gym, traveling, binge-watching Euphoria (ironically, of course), and finally buying nice cookware.

So when Gen Z (born ~1997–2012) says 35 is when life starts going downhill? That stings.

Gen Z's Hyper-Speed Life Timeline

To be fair, Gen Z grew up in a different world—where life moves at 10x speed. They’ve seen influencers retire by 25, watched 19-year-olds launch six-figure start-ups, and consumed enough “glow-up” content to believe every phase of life has an expiration date.

They’re also incredibly self-aware. Many are already talking about burnout in high school. They're planning multiple careers before they hit 30. To them, “success” isn’t something you work toward in your 40s. It should already be popping off by 25.

So when they say 35 is “old,” it’s not always shade—it’s panic. It’s “if I’m not successful by then, I’ve failed.”

Spoiler: They won’t feel that way in 10 years.

Gen Z Speaks: What Does "Old" Even Mean?

We asked a few Gen Zers to define what “old” feels like to them.

“It’s not about wrinkles or back pain. Old is when you're out of touch. Like, when you don’t get the memes.”
— Tyla, 17, NYC

“Once you’re 35, you’ve either made it or you haven’t. That’s the scary part.”
— Dion, 21, Atlanta

“If you still party in your 30s, cool. But if you say stuff like ‘YOLO’ unironically? Ancient.”
— Sami, 19, Chicago

So yeah—“old” is more of a vibe than a number. It’s about relevance, energy, and how fast you adapt to the internet. Which is good news for Millennials who still meme with the best of them.

The Real Fear: Irrelevance > Wrinkles

For Gen Z, aging isn’t just about body changes—it’s about digital obsolescence. The fear isn’t getting older, it’s fading into the background.

In a world where trends expire in 48 hours and new slang hits weekly, staying “with it” takes effort. If you're not chronically online, are you even alive?

That’s why 35 feels ancient. It represents a point where (they think) people stop keeping up. Which, let’s be honest, some Millennials definitely do.

But many don’t. And in reality, 35 is the new...whatever age you decide to make it.

Are You Already Ancient? (A Gen Z Quiz)

Score yourself. Each “yes” is 1 point.

• You’ve said “vibes” and immediately regretted it
• You text with proper punctuation
• You use Facebook unironically
• You think Olivia Rodrigo is “that girl from High School Musical reboot”
• You remember when emojis were T9 text
• You’ve started enjoying naps over nights out
• You check the weather app more than TikTok
• You think BeReal is a budgeting app
• You wear skinny jeans without shame
• You don’t know who Ice Spice is

0–3 points: You’re still thriving in Gen Z territory. Keep slaying.
4–6 points: You’re cruising into “older millennial who still gets it” energy.
7–10 points: Sorry, bestie. You might be ancient. But you're also iconic.

The Bigger Picture: Redefining Age, Again

Every generation freaks out about aging. Boomers thought 40 was old. Gen X said 30 was the new 20. Now, Gen Z is doing what they do best—disrupting the narrative.

But here’s the thing: they’re also shaping a new one.

They’re not afraid to talk about burnout, demand work-life balance, or say “no” to timelines that don’t serve them. That’s actually kind of inspiring. Their “35 is old” hot take may sound savage, but it’s part of a bigger conversation about time, pressure, and defining success on your own terms.

So whether you’re 19, 29, or pushing 39, remember this: age is a number. Irrelevance is a choice.

And if Gen Z ever comes for your skincare routine—just tell them you’re aging like fine wine.

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Stay fresh, funny, and low-key iconic with Woke Waves Magazine—where Gen Z meets the mirror and asks, “Wait... am I old now?”

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