Ancient from ante meaning before.
Vieux meaning old in French also carries emotional meanings of my friend, mon vieux. And it can be the degradation of an incompetent perception. La veille means the day before.
What is the decisive description of aging?
Is it as simple as changing fashion?
History is about what came before. Your story by definition has history. We can only look back to describe a situation.
More than ever the process of appreciating aging is confusing. People are trying to define it with candor. Brown furniture meaning old, and buildings from ten years ago being old. Ironically the experience of visiting old churches and monuments is desirable.
The reasons are infinite from no jobs for the young, so tear it down, to disposable objects as the experience is what counts.
One big issue is patience, tolerance and nerves. Instant gratification delegates these ideas to the forefront. Probably the electrical current in our nerves gets worn down with age. But the perspective of youth is on a lightening speed of intolerance.
The systems that control us, refuse to allow interpretation. Travel, healthcare, degrees for jobs and the information highway have a regimentation that is stifling. Eastern philosophy has the perspective that is in fashion. But, is it truly any different from the ancient systems of western civilization?
Take the idea of happiness and reflect on it thru emptiness.
Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose. Yoda