time marches on
By me • May 20th, 2008 • Category: getting older, today's blog 365 postI’m starting to finally believe people when they say “but I don’t FEEL old”, only because it’s starting to happen to me. Really, I feel better than I did when I was in my early 20s. I’m better adjusted, happier, and more confident. Sure, my face no longer looks young. And the war on the grey hairs has had numerous battles, with even more in my near future. But nothing is falling apart. My body still, for the most part, works the way it’s supposed to. And the ratio of being called “Ma’am” vs. “Miss” is still 50/50. However I think fate has started giving me little clues that this isn’t going to continue for too long. I randomly got this coupon the the last time I checked out at Meijer.
Now, I’m studying information science. I understand the basics of data mining and the purpose of building databases to skew marketing toward a certain demographic. But something tells me it’s not being used that effectively in the grocery checkout lane just yet. Instead I’m choosing to believe that fate is just an evil bitch.
You see, I’ve come to terms with being 30. It took a while, but I’m there. I’m 30. I’m an adult. I’ll freely admit that fact. However I am definitely not ready to be “in my 30s.” That’s a whole new level of adulthood I’m not sure I’m prepared for. All of my friends are in their 30s, and that’s fine. On the surface they’ve all adjusted quite nicely, in fact they make it all look so easy. It’s just that, like the 2.3 kids, minivan, and white picket fence that the phrase suggests, I’m not sure it’s the lifestyle for me.
So I’ve been actively ignoring the fact that it’s almost June. As far as I’m concerned this year the month of May can have 245 days. And, until yesterday, I’ve been quite successful pretending that my next birthday was far, far in the future. Some mythical date that would never happen, you know, like the date of your final student loan payment. Until, during the same grocery shopping spree yesterday, I was slapped in the face with the fact that not only is it coming, but that it’s coming soon. How soon? This particular gallon of milk shouldn’t be sold after that date.
Damn. If you need to talk to me anytime soon you’re going to have to be loud, it’s hard to hear with my head buried this far deep in the sand.
me is
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Hahah… nice. Reminds me of a phenomena presently plaguing my life. Suddenly, via the good ole’ United States Postal Services (thus, not email spam), I have started receiving membership cards for the AARP.
I’m 28. 28!!!
*sigh*
i’m guessing you’ve got a bday in June? so is mine..i still like to say i’m 29 and this year i’ll be 32!! i honestly can’t remember that i’m this “old” unless i count back to 1976.
great blog!
This doesn’t have to do with this particular post, but I read this comic and thought of you. Enjoy!
http://www.asofterworld.com/index.php?id=306
I was okay with 29, then 30, and all that came after it. Then I hit 39 this year and I kind of thought…hmmmm…middle aged? Yeah, but I don’t know a lot of people who actually made it to 78! I thought that I had better start living better or drinking more and not worrying about it so much! Yeah, you can guess which one of those I selected.
So, am I right to assume your birthday is on June 3? My mother always told me that she felt better and better the older she got, and I’m finding that I feel more and more comfortable in my own skin the older I get, too.
Personally, I feel empowered with the prospect of getting older (and becoming a mother myself). I hope you don’t let a silly ol’ number get into your head. I know a few 35 year olds that look and act much, much older than they are, and I know several 35 year olds who know that “you’re only as young as you feel (and act!)”.
Even though I only know you through this blog, I think you’re part of that latter group. Actually, I’d bet money you are.
Enjoy your wisdom and all the wonder that 30 years on this planet has given you!
You don’t seem that OLD to me. It only means that the older you get, the OLDER I am, and I don ‘t want to seem that old.
I had no issues turning 30. It was when I realized the other day that I would be 32 when my friend got married that I kind of freaked. 32? No way. That just sounds weird.
I think I’ll just stay 30 forever. Since my students all think I’m between 25 and 27, I guess I could convincingly lie about it for 3-5 more years, couldn’t I?