Have you ever thought you were “too old” to do something? Most people argue that you’re never too old to do what you want to do.
I have a unique twist on the matter. I love my age. I cherish where I am in life. And there are certain things I am absolutely too old to do, and frankly very happy about it.
Here my top five:
Staying out past midnight
When I was young, staying up past midnight was something I could not wait to do when I was older. The only time we could stay up late was when I hosted a slumber party with all of my girlfriends at the tender age of 10.
In college, there were more than a few times when we were the last ones to leave when the nightclubs shut down on a Friday night. Fun times – but I am very glad I lived to tell this story.
Now, I can’t remember the last time I rang in the New Year in the Pacific Standard Time Zone. I am now fast asleep by 10 pm every night.
Hanging out with people I don’t like even if they’re supposed to be “cool”
I wish I could go back to high school and be able to freely choose my friends. We were the “cool” group. The cheerleaders, football players, jocks, smart kids.
If someone wasn’t in the group, he/she could not be your friend, or you’d be shunned from the very group you were a part of. How sad. How stupid.
Since Facebook started, I’ve become great friends with those I was not friends with in high school. Cool, interesting people.
And some of those in our “cool” group? Not as cool now as they thought they were then.
Being a size 2
I was a natural size 2 for the first 25 years of my life. Then I found myself really having to work at being a size 2. Eating very small amounts of food. Exercising like a maniac. Feeling really bad about myself when I couldn’t sustain it.
Until one day, a new colleague of mine came to work.
She looked like a million bucks. Her clothes fit her perfectly, makeup flawless, hair perfect, and she walked and spoke with confidence. And, she was a size 10.
She changed my life that day. She gave me permission to look just as good as she did, and not starve or exercise myself to death. I’ve had my weight ups and downs, but I definitely don’t not let size run my life.
Living with roommates
Holy crap! Living with my husband is more roommate than I will ever need. But even before I was married, I had the wackiest roommates ever! I had to move out in the middle of the night to get away from one cray-cray roomie. It was the first and last time I ever answered a “roommate wanted” ad. If you can swing it, living alone is the way to go. Once I lived alone, the food in the refrigerator remained there, I always found my clothes in the same place I hung them, and I could sleep soundly without any impromptu party noises in the next room to keep me awake.
Drinking crappy coffee
When I was younger, I drank any coffee just to wake up.
The quality wasn’t even on my radar. As I aged and found myself getting up earlier, I found that sipping a freshly brewed Italian Roast was something I savored and looked forward to every morning. Now, since I go to bed early, I’m up at 5:30 am.
There’s nothing better than a clear, crisp Southern California morning to get you going!
Here’s to being older – and wiser!
Hot Flash Universe is the go-to source for women over 40 seeking insight into the hottest, most current trends, products, and issues. Topics are approached with candor, intellect, and a healthy dose of humor.
Barbara Bishop is President of Santa Monica-based BBPR, Inc. For comments or suggestions, email Barbara.bishop@bbprinc.com.
