^^So what are those “things” you did in your thirties @momofthreeboys ?? Celebrate them!
I said “running and exercise aside” - just because for me that is sort of a no-brainer but also because I didn’t want something like running to be the focus here - everyone has contributed so many great activities - things I wouldn’t have thought of!
I have to second what someone said above about wearing shorts - such a simple thing! - but I know many women my age in the neighborhood and such who would never be seen wearing shorts - myself, once May hits I don’t pull a pair of any type of pants out until October!
Exercising and seeing that I am doing more/going farther/burning more calories than the people around me on the equipment. (I dont love exercising, but I am trying to incorporate it into my life)
Driving a fun, new sporty car. No mor mommy-mobile for me!
Interacting with younger folks, though I do feel old at some neighborhood events where everyone is young and I dont know most of them
What did I do in my thirties? The raising kids I celebrate being over but beyond that I skied and still do, played tennis and still do, played piano and still do, did aerobics but now I take barre classes, swim laps regularly and still do, regularly read and I still do, made full meals…that one is getting less structured but I still enjoy my time in the kitchen! Go to work and that one still keeps me young feeling probably the most as one by one my friends are “retiring.”
Trying to keep up on pop culture.
Moving from the suburbs to a more urban environment. We just got approved for an apartment in Arlington Va and will be moving in the next month or so.
Following sports - pro & college.
Exercise, as well. I lift weights in a regimen and the people in my gym who do the same are young men in their early to middle 20s. They treat me like one of the guys! I’m very tiny and often buy clothing and athletic gear in the kids’ section, so those things skew a little younger for me. I recently went to a party wearing a hot pink two-piece bathing suit and it looked great. My husband and I now go to restaurant all over the NYC area and it feels like dating. But I think the most important thing is feeling well physically, which is connected to exercise and eating well.
I exercise on a peloton - young instructors, good music - while I am a hot, sweaty tired mess afterwards I do feel energized
Botox - ha! I said it. I also maintain my hair getting colored and cut regularly. Stitch fix. I get some new pieces every month that help me keep more current than I might if I were completely on my own.
While I’m not a lover of some of the music out there, hubby is fanatical and he plays alternative music that my kids like too all the time on our sonos.
Keeping up with the world.
I also got carded a few weeks ago at a restaurant. I was meeting my son for dinner. Granted the restaurant was dark. I laughed when she asked, and she said she had to check if she thought someone was 30. I’m 51. We both got a good laugh out of that.
Being active in general - pursuing my interests, trying new things, going to new exhibits, new restaurants, new places to vacation. I may be in my 50’s, but I don’t feel old.
However - I’m actually super content with being my age. I’m more confident and comfortable, I’m more stable. I’m happy for the most part with who I am. I’m thoughtful of others, supportive of others success, like to laugh and love those in my life fiercely.
I just (last week) turned 60, and my motto is ‘60 is the new 40!’ - when I mentioned to someone I’ve worked with for nearly 10 years that I’m 60, she did a double take, she honestly thought I was in my mid-40s. I travel and enjoy renting studio apartments when I do, kayak, snorkel, hike, go to rock concerts (including some “new” musicians) and am physically fit. I find I’m more comfortable in my skin now than I was when I was younger (and should have been!).
Lol, a lot are mentioning exercise, but key for me is still being spontaneous. Or close to it. I’ve got a friend who plan a year or more out. I don’t mean, “Paris next spring,” but a whole spreadsheet, for two or more years.
Oh, yeah, coloring my hair is big! My running partner is 12 years older than I am. She went gray when she was the age I am now. She said, “Don’t do what I did!” She said the way people interacted with her changed drastically once she stopped coloring her hair, and not in a good way.
MTA: I’m not dissing anyone who goes gray. My mom stopped coloring her hair in her early 40s. She has beautiful silver hair and has always gotten a lot of compliments on it. So maybe I would be lucky and get her hair, but I’m too chicken to chance it.
Hair color does help, a lot. Passing other who are younger while walking or biking. Driving a sporty little car. Being more facile with certain parts of the online world. I am not thin, but working out at a gym this year with 20 somethings while humbling at the time, certainly makes me feel stronger than many age mates. Good ab strength.
HImom, I agree on the babies. One of my favorite places to be as well, baby in arms.
Driving the convertible. Speaking to taxi drivers in foreign languages when we travel and having full on fluent conversations while my kids sit open mouthed next to me. ( I lived abroad when I was young so it brings me back) Looking at old photos and realizing what great things my spouse and I have done through the years. Never expected so much. Playing with my dog. Doing hard things and succeeding. Doing hard things and knowing my limits.
I would also like to recognize that amidst these powerful, gratifying habits/activities/skills/traits I’m guessing that most of us also have challenges - at home, work, with family, with ourselves. Somehow facing those challenges with a little bit of “young” on your back is helpful to tackle them. My opinion.
“Speaking to taxi drivers in foreign languages when we travel and having full on fluent conversations while my kids sit open mouthed next to me.”
Yes, priceless.
I needed that reminder.
