On Growing Older...

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A good friend of mine turned forty last week and it got me thinking about just how much I am enjoying getting older.  The grey hairs, the wrinkles forming at the corners of my eyes, my slowing metabolism...  None of it bothers me in the least.  I have reached a point where I am happy just being me. 

When I was a younger, I spent entirely too much time worrying about what everyone, especially other women, thought of me.  How did I look?  Did I say the proper things?  Was I doing enough stuff?  What about my hubby and son?  Were we the "perfect" family?

It's exhausting trying to live up to the expectations of others.

Somewhere in my mid thirties, I quit caring.  I realized that I have a wonderful family and great group of friends who love me for who I am.  Suddenly none of the other voices seemed to matter anymore. 

I have learned to say, "No," even when I have no excuse other than, "I just don't feel like it."  I no longer feel guilty about making time for myself and the things that are important to me.  Gone are the days of me racing around trying to please everyone else.  I am just as confident whether I am dressed in all my finery or running around in my hubby's ratty HBS T-shirt that I have claimed as my own.  

It's an incredibly freeing place to be.

While I often lament that time seems to fly by all too quickly, especially where my boy is concerned, I do not dread the passage of time.  I look forward to the nuggets of wisdom that can be gleaned from each new season of life.  

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I am participating in Heather's Just Write today.  Stop by her blog to read other posts or to add your own.