You've likely spent your whole life promising yourself that you'd never turn into your parents, cringing at their music taste, fashion choices, and insistence that you'll "understand one day when you're older."
Well, unfortunately, science says otherwise. The quirks, habits, and even opinions you swore you'd never adopt are part of your biology and just waiting for the right time to surface.
In fact, research suggests there are seven scientific reasons you'll end up more like your parents than you'd probably care to admit. Let's dive in.
Scroll to find out the reasons you'll actually turn out just like your parents, based on science...
1. New Music Will No Longer Bring Joy
Tima Miroshnichenko
Whether you grew up in the age of records, CDs, or iPods, discovering new music is always a thrill when you're young. At the same time, the "old" tunes your parents blast in the car seem stale, and they probably scoff at whatever music you choose to listen to.
Yet, as time goes by, something strange happens. The latest chart-toppers will begin to sound like noise, and you'll find yourself defending the music you grew up listening to, claiming it's way better than what younger generations are enjoying now.
Science has an explanation for this shift. As we get older, our brains process dopamine, or the chemical that makes music exciting, less efficiently. That means the songs you once obsessed over still hit you hard, but new ones just don't spark the same joy.
2. Rebellion Won't Be Appealing Anymore
Polina Tankilevitch
When you're a teenager, it's practically a rite of passage to be rebellious. Rules seem like they're made to be broken, and anything from sneaking out to defying authority figures at school feels like fair game.
However, you won't always be so bold. That's because, as your brain matures, the rebellious streak that once fueled the late nights and questionable decisions of your teenage years and twenties will fade. The same neurological shifts that make teens impulsive begin to mellow out with age, resulting in an increased sense of empathy and responsibility.
So, when you see some newly licensed teens racing down the road in their first car or egging houses on Halloween, you'll eventually start to shake your head at the recklessness, just like your parents.
3. Previously Boring Things Will Bring You Satisfaction
cottonbro studio
The idea of cleaning out the garage or tending to the garden on a Saturday probably sounds like a boring nightmare to most teenagers. At that point in our lives, our activities were driven by excitement and chasing instant gratification or an "adrenaline" rush.
Yet, as we mature, those previously "boring" hobbies start to feel, well, satisfying. While teenagers crave high-reward and low-effort activities, older adult brains begin to prioritize long-term fulfillment over fleeting joy or excitement.
That's why, out of nowhere, you may suddenly appreciate slower weekend mornings, organizing the bathroom on your day off, and spending hours picking out home decor.
4. You Won't Be Able To Sleep In
cottonbro studio
Sleeping until noon feels like a basic human right (and quite easy) during your teens or twenties. And back then, when you rolled out of bed in your pajamas halfway through the day, your parents might've called you lazy.
Contrary to popular belief, the shift toward earlier wake-up times in adulthood isn't about discipline; it's biology. Teenagers' bodies naturally produce melatonin later, making it harder for them to wake up early.
Then, as you age, your internal clock gradually changes, making it much tougher to sleep in, regardless of how tired you feel. Someday soon, you might find yourself brewing coffee at the crack of dawn and wondering how you ever wasted so much time lying in bed.
5. Bad News, Men: Your Motivation To Change Will Fade
Yaroslav Shuraev
After you graduated from high school or college, you might've sworn that you'd never "let yourself go." So, you may have hit the gym like it was your second job and chased after promotions like they were candy to further your career.
If you fast forward a couple of decades, though, that drive starts to fade, and testosterone is actually the culprit.
This hormone, which is responsible for muscle mass, motivation, and energy, peaks around age 40 before gradually declining. As it drops, the urgency to push yourself goes with it. You'll no longer be jumping at the chance to stay late at work or stick to your old, grueling six-day workout regimen.
6. Bland Food Won't Seem So Terrible
Pavel Danilyuk
If you're a self-proclaimed "foodie," you love visiting fancy restaurants, trying new cuisines, and think your palate is only getting more refined as you age.
But if you've ever wondered why older adults seem perfectly fine with eating the same old bland meals every week, science has the answer. You may not know that, as you age, your mouth produces less saliva, which is crucial for breaking down food and bringing flavors to your taste buds.
On top of that, appetite naturally shrinks, meaning dinners are more of a necessity than an experience. Suddenly, some plain crackers and apple juice won't seem so bad after all.
7. You'll Reminisce, Just Like Your Parents
Kampus Production
Nowadays, you might roll your eyes when you hear your parents tell the same childhood story (or rant about how things were "so much better" back in the day) for the hundredth time. You may even have a pact with yourself, promising to stay more current and open-minded.
Well, when you get older, your brain actually relies on nostalgia as a sort of built-in natural antidepressant. In other words, reminiscing helps older people counteract the stress and responsibilities of adult life.
This is why long-winded stories about the "good old days" become even more frequent with age, and someday, you'll likely find yourself falling into the same pattern.
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