the countdown begins
It really doesn’t occur to me to feel old until I mention that I’m turning 30 and someone suggests that I should feel old. I’m not insulted by it, per se, but isn’t that attitude a little…dated? Like if this were, say, Medieval Britain…sure. I would fully expect the, “Christ, you’re ancient. Watch out for that wave of plague!” treatment.
There’s a great scene from an episode of Roseanne, when Jackie and Roseanne had spent the day looking at a retirement community for their mom and were overwhelmed to say the least. Roseanne asked Jackie how old she felt. Jackie thought for a second before responding.
“Thirty-…Twelve on a good day. Eight most of the time.”
That’s pretty much where I’m at. I can’t possibly feel old because I’m so obviously a pre-teen.
Of course, I do start to feel weary when I think about the fact that, deep down, everyone feels the same and we’re out here just…doing shit and affecting people’s lives and messing everything up.
I wish I was old enough to drink.
October 1st, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I remember that moment on the show vividly. Laurie Metcalf has genius in her.
I’m almost 30-10. Your thirties aren’t so bad. I think you’ll have fun with them.
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:40 am
thanks! that’s what I’m expecting.
October 1st, 2008 at 2:00 pm
The main difference i noticed after 30? No more all-nighters without serious, deadly physical and mental retribution. Alcohol or no.
But you already have a baby so that may have been premature.
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:42 am
oh yeah. I had my son when I was 23, so I had maybe another year left of late nights without serious repercussions, but after that my days of functioning on 3 hours sleep and a hangover were long gone. I don’t miss them, honestly, though that’s not to say that I don’t still try from time to time. 😛
October 1st, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Seriously my life when I turned 40 is so much better than when I was younger. Much better. Dont sweat being 30…
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:42 am
word.
October 1st, 2008 at 3:51 pm
well, i was pretty much a mess in my 20s, so turning 30 was kind of a godsend. now, i’ll be 33 in march, and while there hasn’t been AS MUCH tumult, i can say that i’m happier with where i am in life and the trajectory of where i seem to be going.
i don’t FEEL like life is passing me by, i don’t feel like i’ve missed things…sure there are moments i’d like to have back to do over, but by and large, i think i’ve come out ok, and if it weren’t for those moments of “extreme screw-up”, i might not be as smart as i am now.
it’s probably one of those things that doesn’t need said, but a lot of your “age” has to do with how you feel about your life in general and/or where you’re headed.
you have a great family, you have great friends, you’ll soon have another kick-ass degree….what’s not to love about turning 30?
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:00 pm
precisely
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:46 am
oh honey……the thirties are where it’s at.
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:00 pm
that’s what I hear!
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:18 am
My mother would not let up with the “are you depressed about turning 30?!?” shit, so I was kind of freaked out about it. But then, when it actually happened, it was a total non-event. In fact, turning 30 ended up being a really positive thing – I just felt a lot happier and more settled with life in general.
What really freaked me out and made me feel like I have the maturity of a 7-year-old? Getting pregnant. And you’ve already done that, so pfff.
(Also, thank you for quoting Roseanne. That is one of my very favorite shows of all time, EVER. Brilliant.)
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:01 pm
yes. and luckily (?), when I got pregnant I was almost too young to feel immature about it, so I win! I think.
Roseanne owns.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Never changes — just turned 40 and I feel PG-13.
Scary to be in control of teenagers when I am one myself…
October 8th, 2008 at 11:07 am
hahaha, true that, my friend!
October 7th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
yes its old and it goes downhill from there. I am 34 and with that comes, back pain, worse eyesight, and gorilla hairs on my freaking chin. NOT to mention the fact that I found a gray hair a few weeks ago. Not good my friend not good/
October 8th, 2008 at 11:07 am
dude, you’re not helping. :-p