So it has been a while! Actually over 8 months since I wrote a blog, but I've had a few people remind me that I haven't written for so long so I felt like I should. I had been thinking about it but had given into the fact that since I had started full time (and some) work again I kind of couldn't find my mojo! I have since reconsidered this theory....no excuses I've decided! So now i'm back, exclamation marks and all!!
My first thought, when I re opened my blog after so long was 'do i change the title'? Things have, after all, changed in my life since I last wrote. Don't get excited, I'm talking about my age! That is correct, I am now thirty five,thirty five, 35! (it doesn't matter how I say it, I'm 35) And although that doesn't sound very different (one year to be exact!), just saying 35, to me, sounds VERY different!!!
This personal debate about my blog title got me thinking about age. When I was in my twenties, forty may as well have been ninety! Now, at thirty five, and knowing how fast the last five years have gone, forty seems only a blink away! 40! My dad was 40 when i was born. 40! I was 5 when my mum turned 40! Don't get me wrong, I'm not writing off the next 5 years but it has certainly got me thinking! Some of my friends are turning 40 this year (they still look in their twenties)and i'm sure it has got their minds ticking.
Age? What does it really mean? Now that I'm getting older, I'm starting to question how it must feel to be even 'older'. I still feel young so I keep acting young, or so I think! This begs the question, what if I'm one of those women acting way younger than I really am? Holy crap I don't want to be one of those women that people in their twenties are saying 'I'm sorry, I didn't know my mum was coming out tonight'about! (We actually used to say that occasionally but I'm sure, looking back it must have been about women who were over 100!!)
I found out recently I am going to be a 'great aunt', now that was a huge age awakener! I never had any great aunts, but I did however have a great uncle. I never spoke to him much, probably mainly because he scottish accent was way too strong for me to understand most of the time, and also beacuse as a young girl, I found him a bit strange and could not relate to this 'old man' at all. He travelled by the seasons and spent summer here and then summer in Scotland. I always remember never knowing when he would show up and then all of a sudden, he would show up on a Sunday morning (sunday mornings are a thing at Mum's house)and would stay for Sunday lunch. He was good to us though, he would bring one of us a gift each time. I remember recieving a Cameo necklace and ear rings (I think I was 12) and another time he gave me a wallet with money in it.
I wonder what my great niece or nephew will think of me. Will I be one of those musty smelling ladies with lots of cats and a long, grey braid tied into a bun? Considering the baby is due in October, I don't think I really have enough time to make this transition! I have no pets, and thanks to Narcisso Rodriguez, I never smell 'musty' and there is no grey in my hair (thanks to my fabulous balyage!) Plus there is the fact I'm only 35!
Speaking of hair, at what point do we have to cut our hair short? 45? 50? 60? Let's face it, none of us know many women over the age of 55 with long flowing locks. I do have to admit, the last time I got my hair cut short (about three years ago) I did say to myself 'this is the last time I cut my hair short for fashion and not for age'!
See I'm really touching on all the hard hitting topics! The great hair question! Back me up ladies, we do ask this question as we get older!
I've learnt so much about myself and life in the last 8 months, the last year, the last ten years....I've learned to fight for things worth fighting for and to accept the things that can't be changed. I'm sure growing older for a woman who is single and without children is very different from that of a woman who is married with 3 children, no better or worse, just different but I think the theme remains the same. I think we are more open to learn as we get older, when we were younger I think we thought we knew it all (I did anyway), I knew nothing! Growing older gives you wisdom, the wisdom to look back and smile and to look forward with excitement.
All I can say is as we get older, enjoy it, embrace it and accept it, I plan to!
Until next time,
the last single 35yr old woman
Yay love it honey
ReplyDeleteI can't think of how old I used to think people were when I was a young chicky babe. But now I can only look fwd and be grateful for how young I still feel!
Great read
Xxxx
Yet again Donna, you have voiced the very things that go through my mind. Age plays on my mind quite a lot this year (as i approsch a new decade) and I too cast my mind back to how I perceived 40 year olds when I was a wee teenager. Making the comparisons helps me put it all into perspective to realise there is still sooo much 'life' ahead of us...as you said..."look forward with excitement". Too right!!! Thank you!!! The future awaits us!!
ReplyDeleteAssunta xxx
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ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the read Donna, as I read this it resonated deeply with my own experience.
ReplyDeleteAge is a very interesting subject to me and in our society and even in my own business, growing older is looked upon with negative a connotations’. We celebrate, promote and only see what is youthful. We mostly associate ageing with the aesthetic, but forget about what is inside, spiritually and healthily.
As I age I prefer a society where growing up is revered.
It is my opinion that ageing is a privilege that is not bestowed upon everyone, and if we very lucky we will embrace each year, with health and make the best out of who we are.
I reflect on when I turned 40, it was a time when my own Mother was dying, and at her side I said Mama I still feel like I am 22, she turned to me and said “anche a me, mia cara” –“so do I my darling” she was the most beautiful woman in the world, mother of 10, the clearest skin, the brightest eyes, lived in different cultures, and had a wisdom (that I didn’t understand until now), a tender loving beautiful spirit aged 83.
I totally agree with you, enjoy, know we have to earn those extra lines, sagging features and celebrate the experiences of our own soul and as you said I am embrace who we are.
x
Welcome back Donna! What a beautiful post. I so agree with your sentiments. I'm finding I'm becoming more comfortable in my skin as I get older. Yes the big 4-0 is looming but I'm gonna embrace it!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes I totally agree re the hair topic. I cut my hair short for the last time 4 years ago for fashion (not for a Mummy style!) and have been growing it ever since. Not sure when I'll cut it again, I'm just going to take it one day at a time:)
Thank you so much ladies and thankyou Ida for sharing your lovely story about your Mum xx
ReplyDeleteGreat read Donna. I look forward to getting older and growing wiser. Even though I am only 24, I forget how old I am most of the time.
ReplyDeleteTo me, age is just a number.
25 or 35 Donna, you still look fabolous!
And I too, often wonder about the hair debate! I LOVE my long hair, but wonder when will I get to that age and say, ok it's time to cut it off! :)
Thanks Steph, you have so long before you even think about that but you are totally right, age is just a number. Thanks for the comment x
ReplyDeleteDonna so happy your back and Ida you made me cry , bet your mum was a knockout and full of wisdom , i bet she could see alot of herself in you!
ReplyDeletexx
I just happened across your blog Donna and I am glad I did! I feel like I have found a kindred spirit in you because your thoughts often mirror my own. I, too, am 34, single, 35 in a little over 6 months. I realize how important it is to enjoy every moment of life, no matter your age! It takes guts to write about one`s innermost thoughts, so thank you for the inspiration. I look forward to more!
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