Throughout my life and in witnessing the experience of others around me, I have noticed that many people tend to wish their age away. It’s a strange thing if you think about it, really. But all too often people fall into this quite natural temptation.

I fell into this trap today when I saw an older couple walking down the street, hand in hand. It really touched me to see this sight, and I found myself wanting that feeling of long-lasting love— that settled life with the person I love most in this world.

But then it hit me: I don’t even know this couple’s story! They might’ve just met a few months ago, or maybe they were married for 40 years. I will never know, but I realized I was yearning for something that I didn’t know anything about.

It’s tempting to wish you were older because when you are going through a transitional period in your life, especially at a young age such as in college, you might wish for more of a settled life. But here’s the flaw in that thought process: is that idea of older people being settled really accurate? In growing up, I’ve learned that any age can be hard based on what you are going through, so there is no guarantee that as you age, you will feel more settled.

In fact, many older people that I have come across aren’t settled, and even if they are by definition, they may not be happy or fulfilled. They may be yearning for exactly how old I am right now, because as a woman in her early twenties, there is the common conception that this is an exciting time of exploration for me. But to be honest, lately, it has been more overwhelming than exciting— especially with all the uncertainty that exists in college. I am still learning who I am.

This stands true for wishing you were younger as well. Sometimes I will look back at old photos that I took in high school and find myself missing those times. I think that I would be happier at that age because everything was so innocent, but then I remember how difficult high school can be at times, like the homework and the newness of everything. It is also overwhelming to be a teenager!

It’s a vicious cycle.

What I am saying is that no matter what you age you are, you should absolutely not wish it away. While different ages bring about different possibilities and capabilities, the one constant is that no age guarantees certainty. No age can promise you a feeling of being settled, being explorative, or being innocent.

The fact of the matter is that everyone experiences different things at different ages. There is no one set precedent that can guarantee that things will be a certain way at a certain time in your life. All you can truly do is reflect on the past fondly, be hopeful for the future, and most importantly, no matter how difficult it may seem at times, enjoy the present moment. Don’t wish time away—it’s sacred and you might miss out on some pretty wonderful experiences.