A millennial has revealed the best thing about being middle-aged, and the internet agrees.
Carly Box (@carly.box), 42, from Brisbane, Australia, shared her favorite thing about getting older—early dinners. Her post quickly gained viral traction, racking up 148,100 views and 10,200 likes from people who felt seen by her enthusiasm for a 5 p.m. booking.
“[The] best thing about early dinner is that it’s easier to get a table, it’s easier to talk because there’s not as much noise and you’re home at a sensible hour so you can still chill, watch some TV and get to bed early and not feel gross the next day,” Box told Newsweek.
In her video, Box, wearing what she proudly calls her “eating pants,” records a pre-dinner monologue celebrating her middle-aged lifestyle. At 4:40 p.m., she is about to head out for dinner with a friend—and she couldn’t be happier about the timing.
She explains that one of the best perks of being in her 40s is the newfound appreciation for early dinners. Both she and her friend agreed on a 5 p.m. dinner time because “it’s sensible.”
She notes that all her middle-aged friends are on the same page. The mom proudly shows off her comfy footwear and stretchy shorts. She calls early dinner one of the top three best things about being middle aged—though, she laughs, she’s not quite sure what the other two are yet.
“Those of you that have 8 p.m. dinner bookings, you’re missing out. Early dinner’s where it’s at,” she signs off.
Beyond the laughs, Box is passionate about age positivity and encouraging others to embrace getting older.
She told Newsweek: “Here’s my thoughts on aging. It’s a privilege. Not every gets to. So fill your time with things that make you happy like early dinners, good people, comfy clothes and amazing food!
“Aging is actually fun. Turning 40 was the best thing that ever happened to me. I’ve been living my best life since my 40th birthday. It’s not how my parents generation painted aging so I expected it to be grim. But this is honestly my favorite version of myself so far and I know it will be my best decade yet.”
Social Media Reacts
Box’s video sparked thousands of comments, with many echoing her love for early nights.
“We actively plan geriatric dinner. It’s the best,” joked Clarissa.
“Awwhh you a baby….nearly 50 & we now do lunch and arvo drinking. Then home by 7 p.m.,” added another user.
Julie chimed in: “Ohh I get it at 63, now the girls come over every Friday night they BYO and all bring a plate, arrive at 4 p.m. and we love and laugh—all home and asleep by LATEST 9 p.m., with a happy heart.”
Others took the opportunity to debate the definition of “middle-aged.”
“Middle age isn’t 40 honey, it’s 35, human lifespan is 70 years,” one commenter claimed.
“40s is not middle aged anymore,” added Sophia, while another wrote, “I’m 41, please don’t call 42 middle aged.”
“42 is way past middle aged. 25 was middle aged for me,” joked one viewer.
Box took it in stride, responding: “It’s just language for the sake of humor in this video. I still think I’m 21 in my head.”
For context, Britannica defines middle age as the period between roughly 40 and 60 years old, placing Box squarely within the bracket, but many prefer not to categorize their age in this way.
Not everyone was on board with the early-bird lifestyle. “38 I went out for early bird party 5:30-9:30 still got home at 2:30,” admitted one viewer.
Box also noted the volume of compliments she received about her youthful appearance.
“There were also a lot of comments on me not looking 40, I had a full face of makeup on so there’s that. But we have a choice to take care of ourselves, and many don’t. I want to live for a long time and enjoy my life. I don’t want to be held back so I do whatever I can to stay healthy, be fit and take care of myself,” she concluded.
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