What Are the Hardest Ages in Life?

I’ve always wondered about this. Everyone talks about the “mid-life crisis,” but there are actually a lot of ages that seem to come with their own unique set of challenges. And I’m not just talking about the typical age brackets, like adolescence or the “terrible thirties.” No, there are certain years in life that feel harder than others, and it's different for everyone. I mean, let’s be honest—life isn't all about smooth sailing, right?

The Teenage Years (13-19) – Awkward? Absolutely.

Let’s start with the obvious. If you’ve ever been a teenager, or you’re currently raising one (my condolences, by the way), you know how tough those years can be. Puberty? Check. Identity crisis? Check. Trying to fit in with your peers while simultaneously figuring out who you actually are? A big, fat check. Honestly, I think back to some of my own teenage years and cringe. The awkwardness, the trying to be cool, the rollercoaster of emotions—who doesn’t have some cringeworthy memories from that time?

Teenagers are trying to balance so many things—grades, friendships, relationships, body changes—it’s like life is giving them a whole new set of rules to figure out while they're still learning to play the game. There’s a reason they call it the "rebellious" phase.

The Twenties – What Are You Even Doing With Your Life?

Ah, the twenties. On one hand, you're supposed to be figuring things out—career, relationships, maybe even your first real “adult” job. But on the other hand, the pressure to have it all together is relentless. Everyone talks about how "youthful" this age is, but let's be real, it often feels like you’re swimming in uncertainty.

One minute, you’re trying to land that perfect job, and the next, you’re wondering if your career path is even the right one. Plus, if you haven’t checked off all the “life milestones” by 29—like buying a house, getting married, or having kids—society’s got a way of making you feel behind.

I remember my twenties as a mix of freedom and existential dread. I had all this potential but no clue how to channel it. So yeah, that whole “figuring it out” thing can be way harder than people make it sound.

The Thirties – Real Life Starts to Hit

The thirties—by far one of the most interesting ages. It's often when you start to feel that shift. You know, that moment when you realize you can’t just go out and party every weekend like you did in your twenties (and honestly, you’re a little bit relieved). But it’s also the time when reality hits hard. Maybe you’re starting a family, maybe your career isn’t as glamorous as you imagined, or maybe you’re just dealing with the general pressure of adulthood.

The truth is, in your thirties, you're expected to have a handle on things, but a lot of us are still figuring it out. Maybe your body doesn’t bounce back quite the way it used to after a long week. Maybe you’re feeling the weight of bills, mortgages, or maybe you just realized that dream job isn’t everything you thought it would be. It’s a lot to juggle.

I’ll be honest, I’ve had some sleepless nights in my thirties, wondering if I’m on the right path. A lot of people do.

The Forties – Midlife Crisis, Anyone?

Now, the forties seem to hit differently for everyone, but if you ask me, this is when the “midlife crisis” officially starts to settle in. You're looking back at the first half of your life and asking yourself, “Is this it?” For some, it’s the age where they really start questioning everything—careers, relationships, or even their own identity. You may even be dealing with the physical changes that come with aging, like slower metabolism or graying hair.

A friend of mine recently had this lightbulb moment in his early forties. He realized that while he’d spent so many years focused on work and money, he didn’t take enough time for what truly made him happy. So, he started making changes—more travel, more time with family, a career switch—and honestly, he’s a different person now, in a good way.

But let's not sugarcoat it. It’s a challenging age because you're stuck between looking back and wondering if you’ve done enough, and still feeling the pressure of not being "too old" to achieve your dreams.

The Fifties and Beyond – Embracing the Years

I can’t really speak to this one yet (give me a couple more decades), but I’ve heard from people that once you hit your fifties, there's this acceptance. You start realizing that, hey, you've lived through a lot and you're pretty resilient. You don’t sweat the small stuff as much anymore. The kids are grown up, or you’ve got more time for yourself, and maybe you're starting to think more about your legacy or your health.

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, of course. Aging comes with its own set of physical and emotional challenges. But a lot of people say the fifties are a time of self-reflection, satisfaction, and peace with who you are.

So, What’s the Hardest Age?

Well, it really depends on who you ask. Every age has its ups and downs. What’s challenging for me might not be the same for you. But if I had to pick, I’d say the twenties and thirties are particularly difficult because of the self-doubt and pressure to figure everything out. However, the forties can sneak up on you with its existential questions, and that’s no walk in the park either.

The key takeaway? Don’t rush through the years thinking you’ve got it all figured out. Life is a rollercoaster, and all ages bring their own challenges. But with each year, we (hopefully) get better at handling them. So, hang in there—whatever age you are, you’ve got this.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.