Shifts in Values and Life Perspective After Mid-30s
As I moved past my mid-30s, I found myself undergoing gradual changes in values and life perspective without even realizing it. In the past, much of my energy was spent on external appearances and social relationships. However, now I find myself less concerned with others’ opinions and more focused on practicality and efficiency.
Focus on External Appearances and Social Relationships in the 20s
I believe that there is a time for everything in life. In early childhood, we spend joyful times with our parents, and in our teens, our relationships are primarily centered around friends. The 20s, however, are a period intertwined with romantic interests, dreams, and the future.
At each of these stages, it is crucial to dedicate as much energy as possible to areas of interest and gain various experiences. The joy and value derived from certain activities diminish when the right time to experience them passes.
For instance, it is often said that studying hard in one’s youth leads to a prosperous future with less hardship. While many manage to balance both academics and leisure, some who miss out on forming friendships or engaging in romantic relationships in their teens or 20s may find themselves compensating in unusual ways in their 30s.
The Importance of Age-Appropriate Value and Utility
Many people claim that the satisfaction of buying a first car or luxury vehicle in their late 20s or early 30s surpasses the joy of owning a Porsche in their 50s. I once heard of someone who worked hard to purchase a Porsche 911 in their 50s, only to find that the satisfaction lasted just a day before quickly fading.
While I have yet to experience this myself, I have noticed that the thrill and excitement I used to feel when traveling abroad in my 20s are no longer present. Achieving the same level of enjoyment from leisure activities in one’s 40s often requires spending ten times as much as one would in their 20s, and even then, the excitement might not be the same.
Saving money for the future is undoubtedly important, but I also believe in finding a balance between investing in the future and enjoying the present.
Things I No Longer Purchase After My Mid-30s
Clothes, Shoes, and Accessories
In my 20s, I was very interested in clothes, often buying jeans, coats, and blazers from popular brands. I enjoyed wearing good clothes and found joy in shopping for them, both in stores and online. Purchasing popular brand-name items, especially when they were on sale or about to sell out, gave me a sense of satisfaction—like I had scored a great deal.
During my 20s, when friendships and romantic interests were prominent, wearing nice clothes boosted my confidence. I preferred domestic brands and opted for classic styles over trendy ones, often buying clothes more for their collectible value than for practical use.
However, as I got older, I found myself wearing mostly basic white and black t-shirts, often wearing the same outfits even in winter. Gradually, I stopped buying new clothes, although my closet is still filled with them. In the past, I would become obsessed with buying various styles and colors of coats or leather jackets, but now I mostly wear plain t-shirts, basic shirts, black slacks, and jeans, rarely reaching for the clothes I bought in the past.
As I moved into my mid-30s, I became less concerned with others’ opinions. Getting married also shifted my focus toward family. With a young child to care for, it’s only natural to prefer comfortable clothing when going out.
Games, Movies, and Entertainment Products
As a teenager, I enjoyed PC games like StarCraft, Fortress, and Lineage. Interestingly, I lost interest in gaming by my mid-20s, focusing more on school life and other activities.
Parents often worry about their kids playing too many games and may even impose restrictions. However, I believe that unless a child is severely addicted, they will naturally lose interest over time, making a moderate amount of leniency appropriate.
In my mid-20s, I occasionally went to the movies, finding joy in watching much-anticipated films in 4D and dining out afterward. However, my interest in films waned by my 30s. With Korean movies, I could often predict the plot within the first 10 minutes, and Hollywood films were no different. Consequently, I started to prefer action movies like “The Man from Nowhere” or “John Wick,” which were more about the action than the storyline.
Nowadays, with the availability of streaming platforms like Netflix, fewer people go to the cinema. I wouldn’t be surprised if movie theaters become nostalgic venues in 5 to 10 years. The pace of change in trends seems to be accelerating.
Collectibles: Watches, Lego, and Other Items
I seem to have a penchant for collecting. When it came to clothing, I was more interested in collecting and owning clothes than wearing them, enjoying the process of filling up my wardrobe.
The same goes for Lego. In my late 20s to early 30s, I developed an interest in Lego sets, particularly large and popular ones that were likely to sell out. I didn’t derive joy from the building process itself but rather from the idea of owning sought-after, limited-edition sets. Many of my Lego City Modular sets remain unopened in their boxes. Some Lego sets take up to eight hours to assemble.
Watches are another story. High-quality watches are expensive, and as one’s interest in them grows, attention naturally shifts to luxury brands like Rolex. After purchasing my last Rolex, my interest in watches faded, and I rarely wear them now. It seems that once a desire is fulfilled to a certain extent, the craving for it diminishes.
Changes in Spending Habits and Values After Mid-30s
Time always flies, and while I thought my core beliefs wouldn’t change much, observing my small daily actions reveals a gradual shift in my fundamental values. I still feel like my mindset is stuck in my 20s, and I believe this core mindset will remain even when I’m in my 50s.
In the past, I was more concerned with external appearances and others’ perceptions. However, after my mid-30s and getting married, my focus naturally shifted towards practicality and efficiency. Yet, as the saying goes, “There is a time for everything,” and it’s essential to invest time and money in age-appropriate interests to enrich life and avoid future regrets.
As time passes and I reach my mid-40s or 50s, I anticipate further changes in my spending habits and values from what I have described today.