People who peak early display these 12 traits later in life.
Peaking in high school is a trope often used comedically (or even tragically) in films and TV shows. But it’s not just a thing of fiction; you may have a friend or co-worker who fits the bill. They might talk about how amazing they were at football, or how they were the most popular cheerleader on the team, and seem to be forever trying to relive the golden age in which they were happiest.
Those who peaked in high school often exhibit the traits and behaviors listed here, much to everyone else’s annoyance.
1. They perpetually talk about their “glory days.”
Those who thrived in their teen years, but haven’t achieved much success since, often fixate on the years in which they were in their prime. All discussions will revolve around how cool and good-looking they were, their popularity, and so on.
They may even post photos of themselves on social media from those years rather than anything more up-to-date. In their minds, they’re still the healthy, active, beautiful people they were at 17, and they can’t face the reality of how time and gravity have affected them.
2. They keep trying to organize high school reunions.
According to Psychology Today, those who were popular in high school often end up suffering in adulthood because they depended on their popularity to see them through, rather than cultivating close, sincere friendships. As a result, they may try to re-create the scenarios in which they thrived.
These are the people who add all their high school peers on social media, try to reach out to those who jilted them socially, and organize reunions so everyone can rebuild their bonds and reminisce about how amazing things were back in the day.
3. Their behavior stagnated around the age of 17.
Most of us cringe when we see grown adults behave like histrionic or volatile teenagers. These are people who never learned how to regulate their emotions, and who look to those around them for support — either to validate their stance or soothe them when upset.
Psychology Today discusses how the experiences we have in our formative years (e.g. high school) create the foundation of how we experience the rest of our lives. Many who peaked as teens essentially froze there as far as personal development goes.
4. When they’re criticized by others, they insist it’s because “they’re just jealous.”
You probably haven’t heard this accusation since tenth grade (if not earlier) and with good cause. It’s incredibly juvenile and is used to deflect any type of criticism from anyone, whether it’s valid or not.
Yet people who peak early, remain stuck there. As a result, they lack the maturity to handle constructive criticism. Plus they assume that everyone still views them as the high school hero, and therefore couldn’t possibly be anything but jealous. Reality doesn’t enter the equation here.
5. They still dress the same way they did in their teens.
There’s a lot to be said for being true to oneself, and if someone is still rocking the styles they loved in high school, that’s cool… as long as it’s within reason. For example, a professional accountant who shows up to work in an Iron Maiden T-shirt is unlikely to be first in line for promotion.
Some clothing styles are classic, while others are terribly dated. Rather than choosing mature dignity, these people are still styling themselves on Britney Spears or Ludacris circa 2001.
6. If they have teenage children, they try to impress and get close to their friends.
Few things are as cringe-worthy as parents who try to integrate into their teenagers’ friend groups. They may try to use contemporary lingo to be cool with the young kids, talk about subjects they think teens are into, or even emulate popular dances they’ve seen on the Tick Tock to show just how awesome they are.
Depending on just how unstable and disassociated from reality these parents are, they may even flirt with their teens’ partners or friends. This isn’t just uncomfortable for them: it’s downright predatory.
7. They try to avoid responsibility.
One of the reasons why some people peaked in high school was because of the lack of responsibility they experienced back then. Life is a lot easier when you aren’t burdened by the massive weight of adult obligations.
Once these people reach adulthood, they try to re-create the environment in which they were happiest, by getting into relationships with people who will take care of all the boring, responsible adult stuff like jobs, paying bills, and cleaning, so they can play and have fun instead.
8. They still talk about their high school dates and hookups well into their 30s, 40s, and beyond.
This often happens if these people didn’t date much after high school, or married early and never had the chance to play the field, so to speak. As a result, if they talk about their past romantic interludes, these may revolve around hookups in high school bathrooms, or what they got up to on prom night.
They think they sound cool, but all it does is leave those listening trying to meld into the furniture to escape their own discomfort.
9. They treat former peers the same way they did back then.
Even if they haven’t seen their classmates in 30+ years, they’ll behave the same way towards them as they did when they were teens. As such, they might see a former peer at the grocery school and call them a nickname they had when they were 15.
It never occurs to them that these people have undoubtedly grown and transformed into completely different people in the decades since they last saw them. To them, these people are permanently frozen in time and should be treated accordingly.
10. They still only associate with the best friends they had in their teens.
This may be understandable if they’re in college, but if these people are in their 40s and haven’t made any friends since high school, that’s a huge sign that they peaked back then and are trying to maintain the status quo.
It’s easy to make friends in school because you see the same people every day for years, and create bonds with them over classwork, interpersonal drama, and so on. Those who were popular back then may not even know how to befriend others in adulthood.
11. They find a way to stay involved in their high school.
Some of these people may even become teachers or guidance counselors so they can get jobs at their old high school in order to keep their memories alive. Others send their kids to the school instead, so they have an excuse to do volunteer work there.
Their happiest and most carefree experiences were during high school, so to them, staying involved with the place that made them feel most confident and secure in themselves is a way to keep those happy feelings and memories alive in the present.
12. They date people who are much younger than them.
Some people who peaked (and essentially stagnated) in high school either still feel like they’re in their late teens, or they long to relive that time. As a result, they don’t just behave like they’re younger than they actually are — they may try to recreate this in their relationships too.
Research suggests that this is a way of re-living their younger days and avoiding commitment, something that will be particularly important to those who peaked in these earlier years.
