Well, now let's be honest - and humorous.
Old wood is for burning
Here's someone who knows what heat is! Young branches only crackle, smoke and pretend to be useful. And an old tree is like grandma's stash: it lay quietly, ripened, and then when it gave off some heat - you can take off your socks.
And, by the way, if you also feel that you "don't start burning right away" - congratulations, you are just the elite firewood. Not for barbecue, but for a fireplace in a mansion with wine and philosophy.
Old wine is for drinking
Young wine is also not bad... if you are 19 and you do not feel the taste of life (and brut). But over time you understand: to really enjoy yourself, you need something aged.
And yes, this is a metaphor. You are like a good wine. With age you become stronger, more complex and leave an aftertaste. And you also need to be opened correctly and preferably not shaken over trifles.
Old friends are for trust
With new friends, you still play the game of "who are we when we are sober". And the old ones have already seen you in pajamas with cats, after a breakup, after eyebrows done by Masha on a barter basis - and still there. They will not be surprised by tears or a sudden vacation to Kyrgyzstan.
You do not need to explain to them why you did not call back. They will simply write: "Are you alive? Okay, then I am not disturbing you."
Old authors — for reading
Modern literature: "He looked at her, she looked at him. Beyoncé's song started playing."
Old authors: "In three lines — melancholy, death, the meaning of life and morality."
Over the years, you begin to appreciate when the text does not explain, but makes you feel. And yes, sometimes it is better to reread Chekhov than to scroll through the meme feed for the fifth time (although memes are also sacred).
What is the moral?
Age is not a number, but like wine, firewood and relationships: the better the quality, the more valuable over the years. The main thing is not to rush to "be young" when you can be interesting.
So, if you suddenly feel that not everything is "like in 20" — do not worry. Perhaps you are just becoming that very good tree, wine, friend ... or author for someone else.