When I turned 33, my best gal told me it was going to be a good year because Jesus did amazing things when he was 33. Talk about setting a bar! I’ve never had a problem with aging, seems silly to me to fight something that’s inevitable. But, true to form, I’m decided if I had to do it, I was going to do it my way. As a self-proclaimed joy-distiller, squeezing the bright spots out of the process has been my focus.
I remember teasing my mom about her turning 30. The thing that made me laugh was that 30 sounded old, but she didn’t look old to me. It’s this little moment I’ve carried with me that reminds me that aging is often a reflection of our own attitudes and our attitudes can mirror our expectations. Mindsets. I’m talking about mindsets. Mine, in particular.
I won’t tell you how to live your life, but I will tell you a little bit about how I’m gonna live this part of mine.
Hair: I’ve decided that I’m not down with going gray when I’m in my early thirties. It’s just not my thing, even though I think it’s beautiful on other women. In my head, when it’s time (don’t ask me when, I’m banking on just knowing) I’m going to head to my favorite Glamour Technician (in my Dolly voice a la Steel Magnolias) and just do the whole thing a dazzling, shocking silver. For now? I’m playing with highlights and sass.
Skin: Clean and moisturized. For years I’ve taken my skin for granted, sleeping in makeup and not giving it the attention it deserves. Two years ago I started making baby steps towards a skin care routine that I could commit to. We’re talking dead simple- don’t go to bed with makeup, exfoliate in the shower, make sure to put on moisturizer. I’ve got a few serums and some toner I slap on if I’m feeling like it, but the stick-to-it factor goes hand and hand with the how-simple-it-is factor in my case.
Health and Fitness: My personality is such that sticking to a hardcore routine is guaranteed to make me run in the opposite direction. Fitness has to equal fun. I take it day by day and have learned to offer myself some grace in busy seasons, while also reminding myself that moving my body is a privilege not a punishment. Some days I turn on YouTube and find a fun hip hop workout to relive my days on the dance team (Hey Tex-Anns!), sometimes it’s a few HIIT circuits, and other times I’m lifting. Most days I don’t know what I’m going to do until I’m doing it, but whatever I’m doing, it’s fun!
Adventure: My favorite! I’m always on the hunt for my next one! Taking cruises, going on road trips, playing hide-and-seek in the mountains, learning new skills (turns out I’m not terrible at water coloring. Who knew?) Here in Waco we’ve got stand-up paddle boarding and goat yoga, awesome spots like The Maker’s Edge, and The Rustic Brush, and some gorgeous hiking. I’m game for all of it. I’m a big believer in the value of fun. We all need it, and in hefty doses.
These are little tiny insights into my actions and attitudes towards aging. They’re things that make me feel good, and put some pep in my step. I don’t buy into the idea that getting older is bad. What a gift it is to grow old, gain some wisdom, and maybe throw that give-a-damn out the window and get a little spicy. Women a generation or two ahead of me have been mentors in my life. I look to them for advice and encouragement and as confirmation that I’m going to survive having three Littles 3 and under. #havemercy I hope as I move into that role, I’ll be able to fill it with the same grace, patience, and humor that I’ve been shown.
My hope for my four daughters, for the women in my life that I love is that they carry their age with confidence and class, gaining compassion for themselves and others with each year gone by, embracing all of themselves and hopefully extending that acceptance to others who are doing things differently.
