Relevance Doesn’t Have an Expiration Date

Why I Love Hanging Out with Older Generations—and Why Society Should, Too

There’s something grounding about spending time with people who’ve lived longer than you. Not just a few years longer—decades.

I’ve always gravitated toward older generations. Maybe it’s because they’ve stopped pretending. They don’t care about trends or algorithms or who’s following them on Instagram. They’ve lived through so much that their sense of self isn’t shaped by the shallow, fleeting pressures that consume so many of us.

It’s refreshing. It’s real. And honestly, it’s something I desperately need sometimes.

I live in this strange intersection of connection and disconnection. My work is about building spaces where people feel seen, but I also spend a lot of time feeling unseen. And one thing I’ve noticed is that older generations see you in a way that’s rare. They’re not distracted by the noise. They look you in the eye, ask you real questions, and actually listen to your answers.

Hanging out with older people has taught me things I didn’t even know I needed to learn. They remind me to slow down, to stop chasing the next thing and actually be present. They carry a perspective that can only come from living through hard things—the kind of perspective that reminds you that most of what we stress about doesn’t actually matter.

They also have this honesty about them. They’ll tell you when you’re being an idiot, and they’ll tell you when they see something great in you. And both are equally valuable.

It’s a kind of connection that feels grounding in a world that’s obsessed with speed, youth, and perfection.

Here’s the thing: our society is obsessed with youth. Everything is about looking younger, acting younger, staying younger for as long as possible. And in that obsession, we’re losing something vital.

We’re losing the wisdom, the authenticity, and the calm that comes from lived experience.

Older generations remind us of where we’ve been and help us navigate where we’re going. Studies have shown that when older adults are included in communities, loneliness decreases, empathy increases, and entire communities become healthier—mentally, emotionally, and socially.

But we don’t make enough space for them. We don’t prioritize their voices. And that’s a mistake.

I think a lot about loneliness and mental health. It’s the core of what drives my work. We’re living in this hyperconnected world where people feel more isolated than ever. And I think part of that comes from the way we silo ourselves.

Young people hang out with young people. Older people stick with their peers. And the gap in between just keeps getting bigger.

But when you bring these generations together, something magical happens. Younger people get perspective, and older people get the joy of being valued again. It’s not just good for mental health—it’s good for the soul.

Spending time with older generations has been one of the most grounding experiences of my life. It’s reminded me to slow down, to listen more, and to let go of the things that don’t actually matter.

And it’s also reminded me of how much we’re missing by pushing older voices to the sidelines.

My mission has always been about connection—real connection. And I think part of that mission has to include building spaces where all generations feel seen, valued, and heard.

So here’s my challenge to you: the next time you have the chance to sit down with someone decades older than you, do it. Ask them questions. Listen to their stories. You’ll walk away a little wiser, a little calmer, and a little more connected to what actually matters.

Because when we value every voice—every age—we create a better, more human world.