When 40 is just around the corner...
Signs of Aging
My best friend from high school just turned 40 this week. I called and wished her a "Happy Birthday to my OLDEST friend", to which she groaned. Apparently she was having a difficult time with this birthday, and I really don't understand why. I mean, I do and I don't. She is the picture of health, she has young children (ok...this will age ANYONE), she's an artist and someone I've always thought of as youthful. So I asked her what gives? She commented on the lines on her face...the gray hair...the hope that she had accomplished more by this stage in the game. I reminded her that she's done a lot, and that she looks terrific, but I had to remind myself that I still have about 10 months to go before I'm probably doing the same thing.
So, instead of waiting, I thought I'd take a minute to think about these first 39 years here on earth. To contemplate if I'm really where I'd like to be, and what I'd like to change in the next 10 months, if at all humanly possible.
Here's my list of accomplishments thus far:
College graduate. I've always had a good job, from college on. I'm happily married. I took the time off to stay home with my babies, and am feeling good about raising 2 pretty great daughters. I own my car. I am a homeowner. My credit is decent. I'm healthy. I have a good job, that I like most of the time. I am appreciative of what I have and what it took to get them.
Here's what I have 10 months to do:
Lose weight...and have it stay lost. No more of this yo-yo crap. Shave 25 pounds off and keep it off, then get some super sultry photos taken around my 40th birthday. Shallow? Who cares, this is me.
Start saving money. I've never been great with money, so perhaps this is the time to straighten this out. Baby steps, like starting a savings account. I mean, hell, I have 2 kids I'd love to put through college, but I completely seize up and freak out at the prospect.
Quit smoking and exercise more than I currently do...which is almost not at all. Yoga feels good, but I need to kick it up a bit. So perhaps, once I reign in the smoking thing, I can start running again? It's been a while, but it's never too late, right? I used to love it...very head clearing, and an excuse to listen to whatever kind of music I like, as loud as I like, while doing it. (bring on the Donna Summer/Dexy's Midnight Runners/Eurythmics/soundtrack to "Boogie Nights"!)
I refuse to let a benchmark birthday leave me singing the blues. I'll be the one on the table dancing at my 40th birthday...and then I'll be in bed by 9:00pm! : P
How do you feel about aging?
Have you felt the effects of not being 20 anymore?
Or are you gracefully sailing through time?
My best friend from high school just turned 40 this week. I called and wished her a "Happy Birthday to my OLDEST friend", to which she groaned. Apparently she was having a difficult time with this birthday, and I really don't understand why. I mean, I do and I don't. She is the picture of health, she has young children (ok...this will age ANYONE), she's an artist and someone I've always thought of as youthful. So I asked her what gives? She commented on the lines on her face...the gray hair...the hope that she had accomplished more by this stage in the game. I reminded her that she's done a lot, and that she looks terrific, but I had to remind myself that I still have about 10 months to go before I'm probably doing the same thing.
So, instead of waiting, I thought I'd take a minute to think about these first 39 years here on earth. To contemplate if I'm really where I'd like to be, and what I'd like to change in the next 10 months, if at all humanly possible.
Here's my list of accomplishments thus far:
College graduate. I've always had a good job, from college on. I'm happily married. I took the time off to stay home with my babies, and am feeling good about raising 2 pretty great daughters. I own my car. I am a homeowner. My credit is decent. I'm healthy. I have a good job, that I like most of the time. I am appreciative of what I have and what it took to get them.
Here's what I have 10 months to do:
Lose weight...and have it stay lost. No more of this yo-yo crap. Shave 25 pounds off and keep it off, then get some super sultry photos taken around my 40th birthday. Shallow? Who cares, this is me.
Start saving money. I've never been great with money, so perhaps this is the time to straighten this out. Baby steps, like starting a savings account. I mean, hell, I have 2 kids I'd love to put through college, but I completely seize up and freak out at the prospect.
Quit smoking and exercise more than I currently do...which is almost not at all. Yoga feels good, but I need to kick it up a bit. So perhaps, once I reign in the smoking thing, I can start running again? It's been a while, but it's never too late, right? I used to love it...very head clearing, and an excuse to listen to whatever kind of music I like, as loud as I like, while doing it. (bring on the Donna Summer/Dexy's Midnight Runners/Eurythmics/soundtrack to "Boogie Nights"!)
I refuse to let a benchmark birthday leave me singing the blues. I'll be the one on the table dancing at my 40th birthday...and then I'll be in bed by 9:00pm! : P
How do you feel about aging?
Have you felt the effects of not being 20 anymore?
Or are you gracefully sailing through time?