I was talking to a girlfriend over the weekend and had one of those moments when I thought: How the heck did I get here?!
I’m sure you know what I mean. It’s like, where has time gone?!
It’s so crazy to think of how 10 years ago my friends and I worried about prom dates, 5 years ago we worried about jobs, 2 years ago I worried about finding ‘Mr. Right’, and now my best girlfriends and I talk about jobs, success, finding happiness, friendships, family, pets… we’re such adults. When did this happen?!
Then and now. Clearly all of that practice in the kitchen was wasted… I still can’t cook.
It’s official, I’m getting older.
How do I know I’m getting older, you may be wondering?
Well, obviously the calendar keeps reminding me, but there are some other not-so subtle reminders that I’m definitely aging.
For instance…
// I need 7 hours of sleep. In college I used to be able to get between 4-5 hours of sleep per night and still be able to function the next day. Maybe I couldn’t function super-well, but I could get through the day. Now, if I don’t get 7 hours of sleep each night, I’m pretty miserable.
// I buy expensive ‘adult’ things. I don’t travel on a budget (as much as I used to). I pay for fancy dinners. I treat myself to massages and facials. I’m definitely living the good life.
// My taste buds are changing. Back in the day, I NEVER ate vegetables. I swear that’s why I’m only 5’2. (Thanks for that one, Mom!) but now I love asparagus, spinach, artichokes, brussel sprouts…. But broccoli? Still a ‘no.’
// I enjoy staying in. I used to be scared of alone time and really despise quality time by myself. Now I can think of nothing better. Honestly, I could think of 90 things to do by myself if I even had an hour of quiet time. Blogging is one of those things!
// I get hungover super easily. You may have already noticed this one…
// I know myself a little better. I really understand what makes me tick and what I like and don’t like. The things I thought I liked at 22 aren’t necessarily the things I enjoy now. It’s quite refreshing to know this stuff, actually! I feel liberated that I have strong likes and dislikes and don’t mind not liking things, even if it’s trendy or popular.
// I like myself – like really like myself. I can honestly say that I would totally be BFF with myself if I met me today and I’m generally proud of the friend and family member that I am. Sure I have things I need to get a bit better at (if anyone has extra patience, send some over to me!) But in general, I’m happy with who I am.
// Along with that, i have more confidence today than I did even 5 years ago.
// I’m finally settled down and can take care of other people. Serious boyfriend turned fiancé turned husband? Check. Dog? Check. Hello responsibilities…
// I actually care about having a clean home. I thought I wouldn’t turn into my mother, who would go into a cleaning frenzy if she found out someone was coming over to her house. But, I totally care if my house is clean now! I would be so embarrassed if someone came over to a huge mess or if there was nothing for them to eat or drink. Thankfully, the Husband is a far better host than I am and he takes care of most of this stuff.
Obviously, I still act silly and drink too much and stay up late gossiping about nothing with my girlfriends… and I still have a lot of self-actualizing to do. But I’m definitely not as clueless 22 anymore.
Which is so odd, because when someone tells me they’re 23 or 24 I think ‘oh, I’m the same age!’
Ummmm no, Lisa. That was you 4 years ago… back in your fun, hook-up loving, shot taking youth! (OK, the shot taking still happens now, but I take less of them… and I guess I still hook-up, but it’s with the same man so it’s not as gossip-worthy as it once was!)
Sigh.
But really, I truly enjoy aging. Each year is better than the last, even though I could also say that each year seems a little more stressful, too!
The other day I was looking at a picture of me from 2011 and I thought ‘man, I look really young in that picture! That must mean I look old now!’ but it’s not necessarily a bad thing. I look a bit older, a bit wiser, and I definitely know how to dress better each year.
So cheers to loving life at every stage and aging as wonderfully and as gracefully as possible!
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