Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Tomorrow I'm Turning Thirty Five

So, tomorrow is my big 35.

It's not a birthday most people would associate with anything, really. I mean it's mid-thirties, eh? Big deal. My grandmother was married at 33 (34?) and my aunt was married at 34 and I know many women married way beyond 34 and having kids. 35 is the new 25 and most women in society are waiting until now to try to have kids. I'm grateful I didn't wait and had the majority of mine in my twenties, but you can see why some might find 35 not so old or weird and why that means I might be weird...

When I turned 30, I was thrilled! I loved turning 30 because it meant I had finally "arrived." Arrived to what? Not sure. But I was there! I was there and I was finally being taken seriously and I was hip and cool and motherly and thin.

Now I'm... just about 35. Hmph.

I've never minded getting older before, simply because it included learning things. I know a lot more now than I knew at 30. I know even more than I did at 20. I'm a genius compared to me at 20! Inside, I feel wiser, but every time I look in the mirror I'm shocked at what I see. Shocked, not because I don't like the way I look, but shocked because I don't remember aging! My dad once told me that he still feels like he's the same 22 year old he used to be, but when he sees himself in the mirror, he's reminded that he is certainly not 22 years old. I didn't understand what he meant at the time (I think he told me this when I was 22), but I understand him, now.

And let's be honest. I'm not at my best right now. I have gained more weight since being here (sigh, sigh, sigh) and my brain is broken and my asthma has been awful and I can't conceive, and... well... you can understand, dear reader, why this may make me feel a little less enthused about getting older, right?

Blerg. I'm just being dumb.

Tell me something awesome, dear reader --something good about 35 and good about getting older (even the cliche things) and how next year I'll be healthy and thin and pregnant, so 36 will be spectacular compared to 35. Please? Tell me?

10 comments:

Julie said...

IT WILL BE. This year you will TOTALLY be mentally healthy AND physically healthy. You may not give birth when you're 36, you know. It could be THIS YEAR!!

Julie said...

Also, I know this sounds cliche (but it's not, just like rote prayers aren't rote if they're totally meaningful...): I LOVE GETTING OLDER. SO MUCH. I feel so much more wisdom, self-acceptance, joy, and on and on...as I age and am actually excited to keep getting older because it means I'll add life experiences that just make my life even more RICH and beautiful, that will enhance and deepen my relationship with the Savior, etc. And I've come to that point even being at an unhealthy weight and not being happy in my skin. That's the next thing to work on: loving my body AS IS so I can love myself through changing my body back to strong and most healthy. :)

Rita said...

When I was your age, I had to focus on the healthy and not worry about the thin or pregnant. The thin will come, if you focus on healthy... the pregnant is not completely your decision. Trust that the Lord knows what is best (Proverbs 3:5. Getting older is an adventure-- you put your life in God's hands, and He guides you to experiences you may not choose, but that add new dimensions to your life and new opportunities for joy. It's fun! It takes faith but is soooo rewarding:)

Lisa/Scott said...

You're 11 months older than me, which is pretty cool because that to me, means we're basically the same age, and I love people my age. I had all the same feelings about being thirty. I'm okay with turning 34 last month...there's a little thought in the back of my head telling me I'm getting old now, but I try and ignore it.
Someone once told me that the best people don't become old, they just become classics. So I try and keep that in mind. Assuming I'm trying to be my best person.
P.S. I love that you have a blog. Feel free to click and follow me if you choose.

Katrina said...

I was 36 when I had my last baby, and while the doctors thought I was "high-risk" because of my age, everything went well. I still struggle with my weight, but I have a fantastic family, and my baby is now a toddler and is completely adorable! And it took us 3 years to get him here, so don't give up!

chercard said...

I'm 42 and life just keeps getting better...seriously! I am loving my 40's because I'm feeling like I'm really becoming "me". My weight isn't nearly as important to me as my health (I exercise 4-5 days a week and really watch what I eat and I still am 25 lbs overweight). I am happy with the talents I have and am excited to be culitvating new ones. My kids are a bit older and are really fun and although it's not easier than having small kids, it is a good different for me.

Mother of the Wild Boys said...

You are so much more than a number of candles...or a number on a scale, for that matter. 35 is gonna be great. :)

Cheryl said...

Love your comments, ladies. Every one. Thank you!!

sariqd said...

I just turned 44 and really? I do not think of myself as being in my 40's. And that is TOTALLY fine with me.

Being 35... I actually really enjoyed my 30's. I didn't feel like such a ditz as I did in my 20's although I still had my awkward moments like... every day. So, just rock it sistah!

Linda Liebhardt said...

Thirty five is an interesting age in my brain because that was the age that my Mom "froze" in time to me. It must have been fairly close to the time I left home. . . well, within a few years. It wasn't until I was, um, close to thirty myself that I realized, "Hey! My MOM can't be thirty five because *I'm* almost thirty five!!" And NOW, we've both passed way beyond the 50's and it's just so weird. We both still feel inside like we are 18, only much wiser. And our bodies sometimes remind us that we are NOT 18, because it is definitely harder to get up off the floor. That is, IF we can get down on the floor to begin with. So I do. I get on the floor. I try to do yoga or weights sometimes. And walk. And my nearly 80 year old mom still stays pretty active. And I still like to think of us BOTH as 35 and going strong!! Or perhaps even our apparent "eternal age" of 18-ish. ha. Happy Birthday to a wonderful sort-of cousin whose writings I adore and spiritual insight inspire me.