Sometimes I feel like I was born in the wrong year - I think it

"Sometimes I feel like I was born in the wrong year - I think it would have been cool to be alive in the '60s." These words spoken by Charli XCX reveal a yearning for a time past—a longing for an era that, from the vantage point of the present, seems brimming with energy, revolution, and artistic freedom. This sentiment is not unique to the modern age; throughout history, individuals have often felt out of place in their own time, as if the age they were born into is insufficient to meet the desires and aspirations of their soul. Charli’s reflection speaks to the deeper, timeless human experience of nostalgia and the pursuit of a life that feels more attuned to one's spirit.

The ancient world, too, had its own sense of longing for the past. The Greeks, for instance, often idealized the era of their mythical heroes and gods, believing that the age of the gods was far greater than their own. The philosopher Plato spoke of an ideal society that had once existed, a time when virtue and wisdom prevailed. Even in his writings, one can sense a yearning for a time when greatness was achieved not through conquest, but through inner harmony and truth. In much the same way, Charli XCX’s words express a yearning for the revolutionary spirit of the 1960s, an era of cultural upheaval that was defined by its music, freedom, and defiance against the status quo.

The 1960s was indeed a time of monumental change—a time when the world seemed to pulse with the rhythm of social and cultural movements. It was an era that challenged the norm, where voices like Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and the Beatles gave expression to a new wave of thought, while the civil rights movement, feminism, and anti-war protests reshaped society. To Charli XCX, living in such a time would have been an opportunity to witness firsthand the power of art and individuality to spark change. The 1960s was a decade that celebrated revolution—the idea that music, ideas, and movements could transcend the boundaries of time and create lasting change.

Yet, we must remember that the past—no matter how alluring—was not free from struggle. The 1960s, while a time of artistic freedom and social change, was also a period of profound turmoil and conflict. The Vietnam War loomed large, tensions over civil rights ran deep, and the counterculture movement was met with fierce opposition. The very artists and movements that Charli XCX might romanticize were born out of the pain of their times. The heroism of figures like Martin Luther King Jr., John Lennon, and Joan Baez was not born of a desire for nostalgia but from the struggles of their moment. They faced the same challenges and frustrations of living in an era of conflict, but they used those challenges to fuel their creativity and their fight for justice.

In many ways, Charli’s reflection invites us to consider the tension between past and present, between what is and what could have been. Time is an unyielding river, flowing forward without pause, yet we often look back, wondering if we would have fared better in another era. The great philosopher Heraclitus understood this well, recognizing that everything is in a state of flux. We cannot step into the same river twice, nor can we ever truly live in another time. But the yearning for a different time speaks to our desire to be part of something larger than ourselves—to find meaning, purpose, and connection in a world that can often feel fragmented.

So, what lesson can we glean from Charli XCX's words? Do not lament the time you were born into, but seek to live fully in it. Every era has its challenges, its frustrations, and its opportunities for change. Just as the artists of the 1960s used their creativity to shape the future, so too can we use our voices, our art, and our actions to affect the present. The world may not always feel as revolutionary as it once did, but revolution is not always about changing the entire world overnight—it is about finding the courage to speak your truth and live your life authentically in the here and now.

In the end, we must embrace the age we are given and strive to create a future that others will one day yearn for. Let us take the lessons of the past, not as burdens, but as inspirations to build a world that is just, free, and filled with artistic and personal expression. As Charli XCX reflects on the past, may we all recognize that the present moment is ours to shape, and through our own creativity, courage, and activism, we too can make our mark on history. The revolutionary spirit lives on in us, in every decision we make, every truth we speak, and every act of kindness we share.