Surprising things that get better with age -

In a world where everything needs to happen right now, look at these examples of how time makes things better.

© Shutterstock

Leather -

Remember when you bought a new pair of leather boots and you could hardly walk with them? As time goes by, you break them in and the leather softens. This applies to leather in general. And not only does it get softer, but it looks better, too!

© Shutterstock

Cast iron skillets -

There is a reason why these are passed on from generation to generation. They last a lifetime, and actually get better as they age, as the oil used for cooking is soaked up by the iron over the years, making it less sticky.

© Shutterstock

Balsamic vinegar -

The fermentation process of balsamic vinegar takes years, and the longer it takes, the richer the vinegar gets. Some vinegars are fermented for over a decade.

© Shutterstock

Semantic memory -

While our memory in general tends to get worse as we age, our capacity to remember facts, concepts, and ideas and other general things mostly remains intact, and can even improve with age.

© Shutterstock

Positive body image -

The truth is that when you get to a certain age, you don't really care about your body not looking like an Instagram fitness model. In fact, you will likely feel better about your body as you grow older.

© Shutterstock 

Allergies -

There's hope for those who suffer from allergies! This is especially true for seasonal allergies, but respiratory diseases such as asthma also tend to get better with age.

© Shutterstock

Letting go -

The older we get, the easier it becomes to let go of bad vibes and grudges. Age can teach us to chill, forgive, and forget.

© Shutterstock

Cheese -

An aged cheddar is a lot more intense and flavorsome when compared to fresher cheeses. There are many cheeses that need time to mature, including Manchego, Gouda, and Parmesan.

© Shutterstock

Trees -

Some trees live for thousands of years. Their roots grow larger and deeper, and they become natural monuments to admire and celebrate.

© Shutterstock

Meditation -

Meditation may feel hard at the beginning, but those who stick with it notice that it gets easier as they practice and time goes by.

© Shutterstock

Art -

Art will only increase in value as time goes by. The price of many works by famous artists skyrocketed many years after their deaths.

© Shutterstock

Intimacy -

Believe it or not, despite the challenges that age might bring, intimacy in relationships can actually improve.

© Shutterstock

Intimacy -

A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that Swedish men and women over 70 were getting more action than their younger counterparts!

© Shutterstock

Family ties -

As time goes by, we realize how important family is. We learn to accept and live with our differences and build stronger ties with family members as a result.

© Shutterstock

Whiskey -

You can see this reflected on the prices of bottles. Aged whiskey has a more complex flavor and aroma, and it's therefore a finer drink.

© Shutterstock

Confidence -

Perhaps it's wisdom, or maybe it's about being more aware of our own mortality, but the older we get, the less self-conscious we become. This means that our overall confidence consequently increases as we age.

© Shutterstock 

Jeans -

When was the last time you bought a brand new pair of jeans and they became your favorite instantly? Probably never, right? Old jeans are so much better!

© Shutterstock

Wine -

It may sound cliché, but it is true that wine gets better with age. This is due to the complex chemical reactions that occur over time while the wine ages. 

© Shutterstock 

Compassion -

We tend to become more empathetic as we age. Life experience might have something to do with it. This is particularly true for women over 40.

© Shutterstock

Fermented tea -

Some types of tea go through microbial fermentation, which gives them a unique flavor. This fermentation can last from a few months to years.

© Shutterstock 

Antiques -

Well, this is a no-brainer, right? Antiques will only become more antique—so to speak—so they will likely increase their value as times passes.

© Shutterstock

Vocabulary -

Our vocabulary tends to get richer as the years pass. We learn new words and use them more often.

© Shutterstock

Decision-making -

Our life experience helps us to make decisions more easily, and hopefully make better decisions as well.

© Shutterstock

A new hairstyle -

Sometimes we're just not sure we've made the right decision, and we're not quite happy with our new hairstyle. Give it a few days, and it will grow on you (no pun intended)!

© Shutterstock

Friendships -

Friends who stick together through thick and thin are a blessing. These long-lasting friendships only get better as time goes by.

© Shutterstock

Beef -

Mature cuts of beef are generally tastier and softer. This is because dry-aged beef  is broken down by enzymes that make it more tender and overall tastier.

© Shutterstock

Bank balance -

With big expenses out of the way and years of steady income, your bank account should look better when you're older.

© Shutterstock

Flannel sheets -

Unlike other fabrics, flannel gets softer as we wash it, so your trusted well-worn flannel sheets will keep you warm and comfy all through the night.

© Shutterstock 

Discounts -

As we grow older, we get special benefits. In some countries that means cheaper utility bills, free education, and even free public transport.

Sources: (Prevention) (The Wellnest) (The Journal of Sexual Medicine)

See also: Undeniable reasons to be excited about getting old

© Shutterstock