I feel like many people who can't accept growing up (or at least not acting/looking like/being perceived as their current age) and are hella neurotic about aging, it's because they missed something in their early lives and their youth was incomplete. This obviously fits me and knowing I'll be 40 in 6 1/2 years is my biggest nightmare. I stopped getting carded for cough syrup in 2016 so it's useless to deny time's not passing but I'm scared.

My question is, for any guys (or women) did you ever used to feel this way and recovered from it? Maybe you're still not thrilled with losing youth and have middle-age thrown onto you before you're ready but it becomes like "eh fuck it" or you find other stuff to look forward to to fill that void in your heart, like careers, kids, new relationships etc..

Or does it stay with you like an albatross around your neck affecting your life forever and making you awkward and never adjusted? When you're 60 will you feel 40? Granted nothing too bad about that like a 40 year old acting/feeling 20 but it could still be considered immature or a flaw.

Even positive things I'd think would feel shitty though and make you pine for your younger self. I'd still feel soul crushed if a 50 year old girlfriend or wife treated me like I'm basically her age and not a fun boytoy or (less likely but anything's possible especially if you have a genuine connection) if a 25 year old thought of me as an "older guy/father figure/mature guy". I'd feel so sick I'd probably never be able to get it up again anyway LMAO