My twenties were a roller coaster....I got into drugs, dropped out of school and had sex with everyone and his brother. I was a mess by my late 20s, but somehow survived it got back into school and became an attorney.

I think it's all a perception based on your own age. The older you are you realize that the sweet moments of youth cannot be relived and you have to embrace them as a sweet memory. It doesn't mean life is all dark, but that certain times can never come again. It also depends on what type of life you live. In many ways my youth was harder due to some circumstances and I am a little freer now to enjoy my hobbies. Yet aging is hard, especially for a woman.:)
Nice quote nonetheless!