SURVEY SAYS: Stuck in a Prior Decade

I also asked readers if they feel younger than they are.

The majority of responding readers (62.3%) indicated they are not stuck in a prior decade. Among those who are, the biggest proportion (15.9%) is stuck in the 80s. More than 7% are stuck in the 70s, while 5.8% are stuck in the 90s, 4.3% are stuck in the 60s, 2.9% are stuck in the 00s, and 1.4% are stuck in the 50s.

The vast majority of responding readers feel younger than they are, with 42.9% feeling up to 10 years younger and 40% feeling more than 10 years younger. More than 4% said they feel older than they are and 12.9% said they feel exactly their age.

Many of the readers who left comments said that while they are not totally stuck in another decade, there are aspects of prior decades—music, clothes, values, etc.—they prefer. Others commenting about feeling younger than they are note that their bodies are not in agreement with their minds. I feel ya! Some point out that they feel younger… until their child or a Millennial coworker snaps them back into reality. To the commenter concerned that I was dissing my good friend about his 80s preferences, we joke about it together and each feel very blessed to have the other in our life. Editor’s Choice goes to the reader who said: “I only wish the bands from the 80’s and 90’s that are still touring would start their concerts at 6 pm instead of 8 pm. These late shows interfere with my bedtime and when I’m supposed to take my prescription medication.”

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Could be because I work with many folks who are in their early to mid 20's, while I am in my late 30's.

Some attitudes or habits are stuck. Picky things like using correct grammar (even in text messages) and not publicly displaying undergarments may make me appear older to some people. I prefer to think of them as good manners and education.

Some days I feel older, some days younger and some days I just feel. At 55 years of age, what is old? What is young? Been told by many I meet that I look to be in my late 30s or my 40s. Since I was born in 1960 I can say that yesterday was never all that much better than today and who knows what tomorrow will bring. I know I would never want to go back and relive my past to try to change it. As Popeye would say "I yam what I yam". I watch very limited TV produced today. But, I enjoy many of today's PC Games where I can play single player. Reflexes are not great as I learned multiplying against my son. I'm too easy a target. LOL

My kids keep me young and up to date, but not as to infringe on their decade.

Just turned 56, going to ride 400+ miles on my bike for a vacation next week. My kids shake their heads and ask that I check in daily cause there's no way they're going with.

My brain feels like I am a lot younger than my 52 years. My bones beg to differ.

I am not stuck in a prior decade except when it comes to manners. I am still in the 70's when Excuse me was something you said when you accidently bumped into someone . Today Excuse Me is said as a person practically knocks you over trying to get by you and it means get out of my way. I also love my smart phone but I prefer the 70's where people did not use their phone in the water closet, who wants to hear that? I have a few other rants when it comes to manners

I do NOT feel 40... until the 22 year old new hires walk in.

Sometimes it is nice to go back thinking about the 1970s and 1980s. The music was better, people were friendlier, life was at a slower pace and everyone you loved was still alive.

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I'm only stuck when it comes to music - I still like the 50's, 60's and 70's music best!

Most of my '80s fixation is via the music from that decade. The fashion I can leave behind, but the music, especially New Wave, has stuck with me for 30 years. I still listen to it weekly, if not daily. I also keep up with the new stuff, but that decade will never leave me.

I feel younger because I stay active and take care of my body. I don't, however, have the time or patience to keep up on current trends.

I run marathons with guys who are 10 to 20 years younger than I am, so I guess I feel younger than my age. And I'm still working.

I wasn't born in the 50s but I'm far more traditional than most and thoroughly enjoyed being at home with my children, sharing a cup of sugar with my neighbors, and taking part in my children's education. When they aged, however, I entered the workforce and as a result of a divorce, never have to cook my "husband" dinner again!

I only wish the bands from the 80's and 90's that are still touring would start their concerts at 6 pm instead of 8 pm. These late shows interfere with my bedtime and when I'm supposed to take my prescription medication.

The 70's were a simpler time for me and I don't want to give that up. It was before technology (phones and computers), political correctness, and government took our freedoms away.

While I try to stay in the here and now, I think I am stuck (a bit) in each decade that I've lived in

Young people are always will to change so I try to remain flexible. I get tired of listening to people my age (60) complain about how they don't like changes. Life means changes, adjust or step aside. When you're dead you won't have to worry about changes.

It's a strange phenomenon that I just don't understand. I guess it is likely tied to the feeling that high school truly was the "glory days" and people want to hold onto that. I will be 50 this year and see people my age still drinking in bars like they did in high school - getting loud and stupid and disliking any music made after 1982.

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It's amazing how kids can make you feel both younger and older. I feel young when my teens tell me to slow down because they can't keep up, but feel old when they have to show me how to use my phone.

Although born in the 80s, I prefer music from the 70s!

I'm not stuck, as much as I am nostalgic. I feel much younger than my age and try to avoid mirrors as much as possible.

I'm much more active than my peers, still like old time rock n roll and hippies.

My brain suggests I'm still twenty-something but my body is confused. It's showing signs of aging - wrinkles, graying, aches and pains, and so on. Wish it would wise up and agree with my brain!

I often think the 90s was just ten years ago and it boggles my mind that it was double that.

Stuck on music from the '80s, television from the '80s and '90s and too many of my clothes are likely from the '90s and '00s - but only because my clothes from the '80s don't fit very well

I am in my early 30's so it's not too far of a stretch, but I feel like I'm in my late 20's. Although I did catch myself telling someone I was a year older than I actually was the other day...

While I am subject to the technology challenges that only my kids can resolve, I'm mainly stuck in the 80's (and 70's) when it comes to music. Hearing the classics is what keeps me young. Plus, the family knows when dad has been driving the vehicle with XM radio, nicely set on Classic Rewind or Classic Vinyl!

I don't know that I feel younger, but I try to ACT younger....

While I wouldn't say I'm stuck in the 80s, I love the music from that time, and have a number of classic films from that time that I'll watch again and again.