How old are you in your head?
Posted by Dawn Atkins in Dawn Atkins, Uncategorized, tags: aging, Birthday, romance
How old are you really?
So when I’m galloping around and swiveling my hips in Zumba (Latin-Hip-Hop aerobic dance) class at my gym, I picture myself at that age, with no wrinkles or saggy neck skin or knee dimples. Which is also, by the way, why I stay back from the gym mirrors. Fuzzy vision is my friend, ahem.
In fact, when I go out to a restaurant or bar or a party and catch sight of myself in the bathroom mirror I always hesitate…who is this woman? Not the smooth-cheeked, glittery-eyed, perky blonde with the trim figure in my head, but a slightly worn out female with a hopeful expression but signs of…age. Sigh.
What age are you locked into in your head? Do you know why you stuck at that age? For me, I think I was at the crossroads of insecure youth and the sky’s-the-limit adulthood at the time.
Of course it took a few more years for me to really become an adult (and some would say I still have a ways to go) and a few more to achieve my dream of being a full-time novelist, but the journey began in earnest that year of my life.
And now I see no end in sight to the stories I want to tell about my late-twenties heroines. I just sent off two new story ideas to my editor, am working on the galleys for my first SuperRomance, A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS, out in November and expect revisions any day to HOME TO HARMONY, to be released in January.
So maybe a 27-year-old spirit in an, um, well, older body is not so bad after all!
All my best,
Dawn Atkins
www.dawnatkins.com
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Hi, Dawn! I really enjoyed your post, and I understand your comments so well : ) When I was 20, my mother and I bought a house together, I bought my first car, and I got my first “real” job. I also met the man who would become my first serious relationship. All of these things happened within one month! A couple of months later, I turned 21. So much has happened to me since then, and my life has not been easy. However, I still feel like that young woman whose life amped into high gear in a short space of time. Despite having more downs than ups, I still have a youthful joy and love to laugh. My motto is: “If you laugh, you’ll live!”. I hope that I will always feel that way!
Age doesn’t really stress me out. I am turning 40 this year.
Virginia: I really love your philosophy. You have the gift of optimism and that is wonderful!
Dawn
Well since I’m 24 I still have growing up to do yet, so I’m still young on the inside and outside. But I may have advantage when I get older if I keep they way I am I’ll look younger than I am because people think I’m 16 lol I really hate it now, but I may love it when I’m older.
Hi Dawn, love the post today. I rarely think about how old I am in my head. It is only when working with my middleschoolers and they graduate and come back is when I start thinking about it. It just amazes me how much time passed since I last saw them. I will be 36 this year. Age is nothing but a number to me. Your age is a state of mind.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Nicole: Yes, looking younger than your age will soon be a great thing, trust me!
Paula: You’re absolutely right that age is just a number. Plus, teaching keeps you young and teaching middle schoolers makes you a saint! People always mistake me for years younger than I am…of course that may be because I seem so immature…sigh…
Dawn
In my head I’m still 18, but my joints tell a different story–and rather loudly, too. I’ve always looked younger than I am, but lately it seems as I’m being “ma’amed” at every turn. It’s kind of freaking me out!
Laura: I remember my first “Ma’am.” It was at the opening of a hot night club owned by the family of friends of my husband. I was in my early thirties and a big studly guy bumped into me and said, “Excuse me, Ma’am.” I wanted to cry…. You do get used to it, though, and there are benefits to maturity, too!
Dawn
at times, about 17/18 :-P ….then my body hurts and i feel 88 ;:-O
and im 42, and my fella is 57 and ppl think we are the same age :-S and i have 50% more grey hair than he does (N)
LOL and i threaten a bag boy at the grocery store , for ma’aming me :-$