There are times, when I’m signing a permission slip or making some sort of parenting decision, when I step outside myself with wonder, “I can’t believe I’m old enough to make these decisions!” Yes. I’m deep into my 40s, but on so many days I don’t feel mature enough to do any of this. (Please tell me I am not the only one here – I get older and it still feels weird!)
There are days when I so clearly remember being in my 20s. In those days, I wouldn’t even start my evening at midnight. Like, I wouldn’t even put on my “going out top” and low rise jeans until 11pm. I danced all night while working in South Florida and would watch the sun come up while leaving clubs while living in New York City.
In hindsight, I’m so glad I got to experience that side of the day because, at this point, there is a serious emergency happening if I’m still awake at midnight. I did “all the things” in my 20s. I made questionable decisions and I’m somehow still standing. But it makes me laugh to think about what I consider “fun” now.
15 Things I Do In My 40s (That My 20s Self Would Never)
Here’s a list of things I do now that would send my 20-something self into a coma:
I have daydreamed about taking a week off work and organizing all the photo albums in my house.
One day over the Christmas break, Penn and I got into bed at 7:37pm. We high-fived each other in celebration of this feat.
I have a text string just to exchange Wordle results.
I love to spend a Saturday cleaning out my closet. I can get ruthless and make monster donation piles. It’s thrilling.
I have said the following on more than one occasion: “It looks like we have rain in the forecast. Our grass needs it.”
I plan day-dates with my husband so we’re back home and in sweatpants by 5pm.
I have a pillow system and without it I can’t sleep.
I read the reviews for vitamins.
I squealed, out loud for others to hear, when I found a sale on the clear organizational containers I needed for my pantry.
I have donated most of my heels in favor of way more comfortable flats (or better yet, sneakers!)
I used to get cardio from dancing until 4am, now I go for after-dinner walks “to get my steps in.”
I no longer exist off gummy bears and Diet Coke, I now strive for the ideal amount of protein and fiber on a daily basis.
I routinely go to two different grocery stores to get a slightly better price on meat.
I play pickleball.
I have a favorite water bottle.
How many of these are true for you? What other things did I miss?
