I’m back in my hometown again this week with the family. OH travels home first thing to crack on with the decorating- and I’m hoping that recording it like this will ensure it really happens- while the kids and I stay on to enjoy some time with my parents.
We were given a free pass this afternoon to spend some grown-up time wondering around the city, while the Grandparents took the kids to the beach and fed them ice cream so pink that it could probably be seen from space.
As we strolled, I was doing that thing where you unconsciously look out for people you knew when you ‘really’ lived there. Don’t ask me why, despite the fact that I officially left at some point in the early nineties, I still somehow expect to see familiar faces on every street corner.
Stopping for a coffee I glanced around, mentally totting up the number of vaguely familiar faces I’d seen- that would be none then. And then, as I looked around at all the middle aged folk: harassed, slightly rounder than they should be, barking at their children and generally looking stressed I realised that I’m one of them.
I’m no longer part of the munchkin brigade, looking slightly unwashed but resolutely unashamed about the fact, prowling en masse outside Macca D’s, heading to Andy’s Records to see what’s what en route from Head in the Clouds.
I’m Old. Well, I’m older than I think. I can’t go into Jane Norman or Miss Selfridge without looking like I’m shopping for a younger family member…..and I refuse to shop there anyway….that is soooo not a 10!
What went wrong? When did the late thirties happen? And why do they feel so old?
Yeah, somewhere around 35 one starts to feel ‘in their 30’s’. I still maintain I am 18 with a LOT of experience, but I look over 35 now lol. You, on the other hand, look stunning m’dear:) Jen.
I am two people – the inner me is still 18 (the age I was when I escaped the village – long story) and I forget that people age so it’s a major shock when I go back and see them with greying/receding hair, wrinkles, “comfortable” clothes and hoards of children. Then I do a double take and realise that’s what they see when they look at me!!
I am with Nickie. I am 19 but 40….
My Mother In Law says that she still sees herself as 18 – and has a shock when she realises she is 65.
It’s a cliche but true that you’re as old as you feel. So for me that can be mid twenties or 90! It often surprises me that the people I ‘mix’ with (or even tweet with)seem to be the same age as me (whatever that is at the time!). It’s great when I find out they are younger than me because that makes me feel young.
Advice – don’t think about it. Just be!
I’m 34.
I still can’t quite believe it.
I’m 42 and am feeling very comfortable with my age, it feels like a skin I have been waiting to wear and fighting against for too long. Suddenly age really is just a number, I am as old as I feel inside and that seems to be about 35 today. I could, however, do without the grey hairs which seem to appear from nowhere and to be very, VERY long!
Fab advice from the gorgeous Julia!
My grandmother is 87 and she’s got the youngest outlook of any of my family because she doesn’t give a flying one what anyone thinks.
You’re not old!