When Kareena Kapoor said she doesn’t want to be 20 anymore: ‘Thoda sa relax’

Taking a cue from her candid admission, let’s dive deeper into this perspective.

Her words may sound lighthearted, but they hold profound psychological wisdom, shared Delnna Rrajesh, psychotherapist and life coach.

The chase in our twenties

In our twenties, many of us are driven by an invisible urgency — to prove, to achieve, to belong. We attach our worth to speed and visibility. “Every no feels like rejection. Every delay feels like failure. Culturally too, we are conditioned to believe that youth equals opportunity, and that slowing down means losing out,” said Delnna.

But what Kareena reminds us of is this: peace and power often begin when we stop running. When we realise that validation, applause, and external achievement can never replace the inner steadiness that comes from knowing who we truly are.

Kareena Kapoor with family (Photo: Kareena Kapoor/Instagram)

The psychology of slowing down

“Thoda sa relax” is more than just advice. It’s an invitation to rewire the nervous system. “Constant striving activates the body’s stress response — cortisol rises, anxiety spikes, and decision-making becomes reactive. Over time, the very energy that fuels ambition begins to drain emotional vitality,” said Delnna.

Ageing as expansion, not decline

To embrace ageing with grace, as Kareena does, is to move from performance energy to presence energy. “It’s when a woman realises that her worth no longer depends on how much she does, but on how deeply she lives. The thirties and forties bring a shift from outward ambition to inward fulfilment — a desire for alignment, purpose, and peace over perfection,” expressed Delnna.

Practical reflections:

– Allow yourself to evolve without apology. You’re not meant to feel 20 forever.
– Redefine success as emotional steadiness, not external applause.
– Practice nervous system relaxation daily – mindful breathing, journaling, or silent mornings.
– Limit overexposure. Protect your inner life as sacred space.
– Celebrate each decade for the wisdom it brings. Beauty deepens, even when youth fades.

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