Something happened when I turned 39.
OK, maybe when I turned 35.
Everything changed.
My body started to ache after surfing for three consecutive days. I couldn’t eat Taco Bell without hurting later. And I realize I don’t walk into a room the same way. The swag — if I even had any — is now more of a limp.
I was never one to believe the complaints about getting older. I never really looked my age — thank the Asian genes — and I never subscribed to “adult” things like home ownership and retirement plans.
Then I turned 39 and realized this was my last year to be thirtysomething. And really, what do I have to show for it?
It never occurred to me that I would get old — and what that would mean. I’ve hung out with older folks — I’m talking guys in their 60s and 70s — for more than a decade and never felt like I was a kid. We all did the same things — surf, run, swim, eat donuts — so age never mattered.
But now I’m starting to feel it. I’m tired by 9 p.m. I’d rather sip wine than kick back tequila shots. And I’m starting to squint. That freaks me out.
There was a graphic that I saw posted on the Facebook walls of friends that was a bit startling. It put into perspective how quickly time has passed. It said that “Shrek” and “Monsters Inc.” were released 11 years ago. Hillary Duff is a mom. And Dylan and Cole Sprouse are 20 years old.
I don’t even know who Dylan and Cole Sprouse are!
I can’t change the fact that I’m 39, nor can I fight this aging thing. But I’m just not ready to embrace it yet, either.
18 Comments
Cat, one day you will wake up and realize age is indeed just a number. In every way you can think of. Guess I am lucky. I’m in my 50’s now and still do not get sore from several straight days of walking 18 holes, playing basketball, or wrestling with my 14 year old son. Feel very blessed that way. Women see age as a way bigger deal than men ever will. To us it is another day to see if we can do better than the last. I could give a rip what I felt like at 20, 30, or 40. You will recover from this temporary feeling of being old. You aren’t older sistah, you better.
Thank you for your honesty. I’ve noticed the same pains and slow recovery since my late thirties. I’m now in my mid forties and it’s not better, though I’m way more active since moving back to Oahu from Seattle. I have, however, discovered that I do enjoy massages and chiropractor visits after all. Perhaps out of necessity. The wiser, more secure perspective on life makes it worthwhile. I may not play tennis nearly as well as I used to but I can enjoy and appreciate the sport so much more, without broken racquets either. When I was young I felt invincible and just didn’t appreciate much of anything. Perhaps it’s when we know our limits that we have a sense of gratitude, which then allows us to come into alignment to count our blessings.
Embrace aging rather than the alternative! 😉
Your life resembled my path…….except I got married later (42), didn’t do shots or surf, and now have a young son. I can’t think of any regrets over anything I’ve done, except for a few regrets over things i didn’t do!
But yours is a life that, as whole, has been blessed! You live in the nation (and state) in which millions all over the world would want to reside.
Don’t fret getting old until you have to buy “relaxed fit” clothing!
many more cruelties ahead, the worst of which is that every ten years passes twice as fast as the previous ten. the aches & pains will come even if you stay in top condition, which is no excuse not to. here’s the clincher, and it’s a bitch: you don’t GET old, you just wake up one morning and you ARE old.
Cat, Thanks for reminding me! Ug
Hello Cat!,
I’m in my early 60’s and I try to standup paddle 2-3 times a week for not less than an hour to 3 hours. I paddle sometimes up to 12 miles in a session. I paddle for distance and speed so my workout is very physical. I change my eating habits to a more healthy diet, very little fried foods, no sugar, less meat, pork, poultry, no sodas, no coffee, more veggies, fruits, whole grains, brown rice, big salads, tofu, fish. The beef, pork, poultry and fried stuff I eat in moderation, I don’t eat it everyday of the week. This works for me, I can still stay up late and wake up for dawn patrol.
Out of control ear hair is the worst. Hopefully it wont happen to you.as if shaving wasnt a tedious task already, now I have to shave my ears.
There’s a card game I used to play, called “Old Maid.” But now the Alzheimers seems to be setting in, because I can’t remember how to play it anymore.
My dad put it into perspective for me. “The second you stop getting old you’re dead.” So use your life wisely Cat.
That’s a good one Rich. I gotta remember that.
Thanks for being a part of my aging process, keeping me young and active.
Aloha girlfriend.
OMG! Turning 71 was horrific! I have 9 doctors to feed; the IRS made me withdraw funds from my retirement account or face a penalty; I’m now a 28 handicap in golf; I have a bulging disc like Tiger woods; and I just did my taxes on Turbo Tax and have to pay cuz I drew retirement funds out! Obama Help me! Stay young forever!!! 🙁 Your Blog is my only hope in staying young.
Yep, Dennis I’m in a similar boat with you. (70 years). I can still remember when I was Cat’s age. They’re mostly good memories. The thing is, I did not realize that time was going to speed by and these days I wish it would slow down.
Fortunately, health concerns are not an issue (yet) and money is not a problem. In fact being a senior (I hate that word), I realize that being retired, collecting SS and Medicare(thank goodness to our lawmakers who created those programs), and a pension makes me well-off by most standards today. Now, if I could only slow down the clock.
The main thing is that you are healthy and taking steps to be healthy and healthier. Put money aside for your retirement too.
“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old becaue we stop playing.” (George Bernard Shaw)
Keep playing, and you’ll never be old, no matter what.
CAT: Wait till you come like me …old, fat, and poor!
I think 40s is the prime time. You’re old enough the realize all the things you mentioned and young enough to accomplish all the things you mentioned.
My mom just did the Milford track with me (35 miles in 3 days). She surfs almost everyday and she is recovering from a broken back, all at the tender young age of 68. She has convinced me that age means little, if anything.
As far as accomplishments in relation to age, I don’t believe there is a set number of checkboxes to hit by 40. To each his own. That being said, I am a firm believer in constant growth (mental, physical, spiritual) and this can be tied to Vision > Goals > Action.
I think people are generally happier when they are on a personal journey of some kind. The journey is an adventure and it challenges you. The end result is goals are accomplished, memories are created and you experience fulfillment and growth throughout your life, regardless of age.
Are you being challenged? are you failing a lot (pushing the envelope)?
It might be time to break the mold and abandon it like a cast off skin. Make a description of your vision: what do you want your life to be like now? in the future? Then, make a 3-5 year list of goals that will help achieve that vision. Next, make a list of 1 year goals that will help to achieve the 3-5. Then finally, quarterly goals to hit, that help to realize the 1 year goals. Review weekly, revise as needed. Goals by themselves mean little, how they tie into the vision is the key.
You have books to write, trips to take, risky career choices to embark on, and a plethora of other things that might be fun to try in this short life of ours. They are all waiting for you!