Comments on: Youth Is Wasted on 35-Year-Olds

By: Cathy

Cathy — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 17:51:17 +0000

Okay – to be perfectly fair – they get easier in some ways and much more difficult in others….. But I guarantee you’ll find yourself with more time.

By: Gale

Gale — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 14:59:34 +0000

Cathy – Thanks for this. I think at some level I realize that much about parenting will get easier as my kids get older. But part of me is reluctant to think about too much for fear of two things. 1) Jinxing it! And 2) Getting into the “I’ll be happy when …” mindset. Yes, babies and toddlers are demanding in some very exhausting ways. But I have to be sure that I don’t miss the wonderful aspects of these ages whilst imagining a day when putting on shoes is no longer a battle.

I know 35 is not old. I really do. But when you’ve spent your entire life thinking that 35 was light years away, seeing it stare you in the face is still a bit disorienting!

Thanks, as always, for reading and commenting.

By: anne

anne — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 18:06:58 +0000

You are definitely still young! At my previous job there were two women a similar age. One looked 10 years younger than her age, and the other looked 10 years older. And they both acted the way they LOOKED. And I don’t mean the one that seemed younger dyed her hair or whatever…it wasn’t a physical thing so much as a state of mind. anyway, I would say you are a vibrant gal with lots of curiosity. And THAT, to me, signals youth.

By: BigLittleWolf

BigLittleWolf — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 17:58:44 +0000

Trust me on this one – 35 is not old. But the awareness that our bodies will change – and that it’s normal and natural that they will – can you help you appreciate where you are.

And those changes of various sorts do not preclude good health or fitness, but we are more vulnerable to a great deal, and I don’t buy into pretending otherwise. If anything I think it makes sense to be conscious of that fact, and whenever possible – both appreciate what we have and where we are (age-wise / health-wise), and equally, be more empathetic to those who are not in the same position.

By the way – in my experience – kids wear us out, but they also keep us young!

By: Cathy

Cathy — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 23:56:45 +0000

Oh there is so much I want to say about this post. I think you are headed into some pretty golden years. By the time you hit 40, your youngest will be old enough to pour his own bowl of cereal and let you sleep a few more minutes (hours if you let yourself). Your kids will start spreading their own social wings and you will likely find yourself with a few hours while they’re off at play dates. Their growing independence will allow you your own as well. I remember a good friend of mine slightly ahead of me on the child-rearing path and she said to me one day when I was completely overwhelmed, “Cathy, don’t you realize it gets easier?” But I didn’t – couldn’t see it at the time. And I don’t think that life will necessarily get harder – at least not for quite a few more years. And I think – look at that couple – failing physically but they still have each other.

35 is not old. I’m 42 and I still feel young. Getting old sometimes crosses my mind but it seems so far away. I see some friends less frequently and when the post a new photo on Facebook, I see their age and wonder if I’m doing the same. I think you can’t see it in yourself because it happens so gradually.

I don’t know why but I really liked this post. Probably because you spoke of perspective which is one of my favorite topics to write about.

By: Karin

Karin — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 17:55:05 +0000

In my 50s in the midst of helping my in-their-80s parents & aunt transition to their new reality of retirement community living. Thanks for your post that prompts me to remind myself of the joys of my comparative youth. Don’t let this gift be wasted on me.