How do you act your age? Do I represent the age I am? What should I be doing at this age? Are you acting your age? Really? What does that look like? It was my birthday yesterday. Yes, another trip around the sun.
I journal as often as I can or think about it. One question that popped into my head, after remembering how many times I was told to act my age – I have never been this age, how do I need to perform? Do I need to act a certain way? It is strange to think about that question. As children, we assume we should know or at the very least our elders think we should understand this question. When do we know how we should act our age?
I do not feel the need to be any age. Why? It is just a freaking number. Yes, my body has slowed down in many ways. I have gained a few more pounds, my gait has slowed, my energy isn’t what it used to be, and the ever-present post-menopause has set in – ahhh, changing a few other things too!
Never feel pressured to be something you are not. I am not my age – and yes, I will tell you how old I will be tomorrow. I don’t mind telling anyone. I think most people are afraid to say their age. Just think, we have lived through so many changes, opportunities, and life moments that have made us who are!
Looking at those “around” my age, I think, do I look that old? Do I act like my mother or grandmother when they were that age? Seriously, what is this age supposed to look like from the outside?
I am the oldest in my family, a mom, a grandmother, and a great-aunt. Do those titles define my “age”? NO! I love being who I am. If that means that I am a little childish, silly, or weird, so be it. I can’t help but wonder if I change to suit my age, that changes who I am.
This is my sister and me this past summer. July 2022.
I love my graying hair. It defines who I am too. Occasionally I put in some low lights because that is who I am. I like to up the ante a little and it makes me feel good. My hair has been gray for over 10 years. I am pretty proud of it too!
Anyway, how do you act your age?
Do I stop being me? The me that laughs loud when I hear something funny or say something that makes me laugh? The me that blurts silly things out in the middle of conversations because I following the “squirrel” in my head? How about the me that will change her mind even after declaring another thought? Or the me that finds confrontation hard to deal with and will keep things to myself? The me that goes headlong into action without knowing all the facts because I want to try something new?
Age is just a freaking number! I will never be defined, labeled, or told to ACT MY AGE! You go ahead and think about this. I have thought enough about it. I want to just go with the flow, be me, and that is why you like me – and I hope you like others too – because we are who were are regardless of our age.
I just want you to know that if you are being who you are – the right people will always be who they are with you! Take me or leave me, I love people being themselves.
P.S. I turned 56.. 😁