A woman came into where I work today, a beautiful young woman. Some how the topic of ageing came up and she expressed her great fear of turning 32 (!). She then went on to say that she had great anxiety around turning 30 as well, and she didn't know how she was going to make it.
Now, I guess I sort of underst...nah, scratch that. I don't get it at all. I'm a firm believer that you are as old as you feel, and frankly, I'm about 24. But a smarter, better, more ME 24. And I'm certainly more capable now than I ever was back then.
Without age you would never learn anything new.
You would remain not only in the same state physically (ok, maybe THAT'S not such a bad thing, though I believe I'm actually getting cuter with age) but you would stay in the same place intellectually and emotionally. And how backwards would that be?
Every time a new challenge came up, you would never be able to say to yourself, "Gee, I remember being in a similar position once years ago and I totally screwed it up. Let's try the other way this time."
You'd never learn anything of import, never experience anything new or learn to enjoy what was put in front of you. Your experiences would stay the same and you would learn nothing or very little from them because you wouldn't be able to put them all into perspective.
And with age (hopefully) comes a fuller understanding of the world and your place in it. Of course, I can only speak for myself I suppose. But it really seems to me that it's only getting better as I go.
And not to ever learn anything new. What a tragedy.
So I'm all for getting older.
At least till my knees give out.
20 comments:
My turn to laugh Tai! Just read your comment.
You know I never want to go back in age. I absolutely love the age I am each year. I know who and what I am and where I'm going and for the most part how to get there. I'm not out to impress anyone, nor hurt anyone. I enjoy life and can't imagine being scared to get older. I don't know what the future holds but I'll tackle anything that comes my way like I always do - if it works out good; if it doesn't at least I tried. What more can anyone ask? Loved your post Tai - I agree 100%.
PS: the knees have given up a bit but that doesn't stop me...
AMEN HALLELUUUUUUUUUJAH!
Ouch with the knees! Was that a nod to me? I actually walked around at the fair today for a good 6 hours. My knee is a little sore and I AM still on the anti-inflammatory meds, but I did it! And I'm with you. I have no fear of aging and am so glad I'm not the person I was 20 years ago.
I wonder about the fear that some folks have of certain ages. My sister has experienced it several times in her 57 years as did my cousin, who died when he was age 58. I have never experienced it.
As for knees, I have one that’s been on the verge of “going out” for about 35 years, ever since I injured my leg while serving as an army officer. It bothers me, but with a cane I get about quite well and am not slowed down.
I think we gain a lot through time. It rewards us. And in payment, gravity takes its toll.
Tell you what I want -- what I really, really want. Oops, sorry about the Spice Girls segue, but what I would like is to know what I know now and be about 38. That'd work.
But, I agree with you about aging. Actually, I find it a great advantage being married to a younger woman, however, because it truly does keep me younger.
But yes, I too suffered from turning 30 angst, so I can relate.
I remember being 32 once. Ah, to be middleaged again!
Like Ian, I'd like to be 30 with the experience I have at 46.
Failing that 46 works fine for me.
I completely agree!
I am forver 25:)
I have no fear about getting older. I was excited to be turning 35 (which is still young in my opinion). My only "age issue" is once in while I feel I dress "too young", but then I get over it pretty quick and dress any way I feel. I will still be wearing army boots and t-shirts with skulls on them when I'm 100; bad knees and all.
I am loving the 30s and am genuinely looking forward to old age (except the aches and pains). I want to be one of those loud crazy old ladies that everyone likes but no one invites to serious events. The one that pulls candy/coins from kid's ears and winks at babies. And I am going to wear red and travel the world (even if I have to go alone), laugh out loud at jokes and heckle the young that take themselves too seriously.
Once the shock wears off, the fun of being 53 is that you don't have anything to prove to anyone anymore... Since I've hit my 50's I just don't really care what others think and I just do whatever suits me. But I must admit that I don't feel old, it's just that my colleagues are getting younger.
You know, I was thinking just this morning that I feel younger now than I did 15 years ago. I'm not younger, of course, but I feel it. So, it's all relative, isn't it?
Well, it's better than the alternative. :-)
But I was at my smartest and wisest when I was twenty two. It's been downhill ever since. You may age like wine, I age like cheese. I'm better and stronger, more to the liking of true cheese enthusiasts, but I stink and am really just moldier than back then.
Great Post, Tai.
Points well made! As my age advances, I'm more and more sure I would never go back to any previous age.
But I do agree that there could come a point in the next decades where pains in my body will make me want to peddle things back just a few years!
I am now 29G. I refuse to enter my 30's. LOL! I still feel about 24 as well. Those were good years.
I'm the same - no fears about growing older, although I'm concerned that my knees and ankles will give up whilst I've still got some beautiful football left in me!
Hi Tai,
you are so good at visiting me and I am so lax at returning the favour. Today I have added you to my bloglines feed so will do better.
Of course this is a most interesting post to me. I feel 24 inside too, well actually I think 35 is the ideal age for a woman. I would like to be stuck in a Ground Hog Day like cycle of 35 to 55, for at 35 you attain the maturity and confidence that you didn't have in your twenties. You are also perfectly fit (well you should be). At 55 your energy level does begin to drop somewhat so that's why I would go back to 35 in my perfect world. That said at almost 72 in a couple of weeks I am still hanging in there enjoying life despite my knees.
regards
jmb
This website makes me sick. Feel good hug the trees I love fresh air and the countryside bullshit. I'm glad that car got crushed
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