How Hosting Dinner Parties & Inviting People 20+ Years Older Changed Me

After opening up my residence to new individuals every week, consuming good meals, and sitting round for hours having unbelievable conversations, I lastly had this realization final night time.

I don’t want individuals in my age group to attach.

I do know that some ladies round my age are considering issues like, “I just need to find more people around my age to connect with.” Or one thing alongside these traces.

And I believe it’s this widespread assumption that if you happen to hang around and make buddies with individuals with a extra noticeable age hole, they simply can’t relate to you (or vice versa).

I get it. Some subjects are simply going to be extra generally mentioned inside sure generations.

However aside from that, it’s simply not true.

I’ve had individuals round my age over, and whereas we’ve had good conversations, I’d actually say I appreciated those I had with these 20+ years older much more.

And I’m not saying that to make anybody who’s youthful really feel dangerous (in any respect).

However what I’m saying is that I’ve discovered that the conversations acquired a lot deeper, significant, and we might completely relate to one another.

They listened, they requested questions, they have been , and in flip, we gave them the identical form of consideration.

It felt so stunning to be seen and understood, whereas additionally loving the tales, ideas, and recommendation I acquired from somebody in a special age group.

After which I noticed that sure, these have been the form of individuals I might exit and have espresso with any day of the week.

Now I’m not saying I haven’t had nice moments of connection and deep conversations with individuals round my age.

What I’m saying is that whereas there was an age hole, the connection hole wasn’t actually there.

We simply acquired one another.

And possibly individuals of their 20’s and 30’s acquired this impression as a result of they have been used to interacting with their mother and father and so they’re there to information and assist them develop extra than simply be a good friend. And I get it, that was me as nicely.

However after these feast interactions, I noticed that perception would have to be thrown out.

In addition they was once my age and had nothing much less to supply. They didn’t deal with me like I used to be a dumb younger individual, and of their tales and ideas I might see the identical hopes, fears, and pleasure I really feel now.

It jogged my memory that connection isn’t about age, however about recognizing ourselves in one another and eager to go deeper.

Grace Moser is the writer and founding father of Chasing Foxes, the place she writes articles to assist ladies create a life they love in massive and small methods. She’s been a full-time traveler since 2016 and loves sharing her experiences and exploring the world along with her husband, Silas. Her life-style and journey recommendation may also be seen on websites similar to Enterprise Insider, Glamour, Newsweek, Huffpost, & Residence Remedy.