I am so glad I read to the end too! You totally got me too 😂😂 I've just turned 50 and am also thinking how on earth did this happen so fast?! I am not wearing anything with an elasticated waist yet either and still avoid gardening at all costs x
Turning 45 in June and when I said it out loud recently I had my first proper "wait, what... no, that can't be right" moment. Since then I have found myself searching the benefits of retinol 😵
38 now and also no children, and I definitely still feel like I’m not a real adult! Yet the few grey hairs creeping in and the refocus on a career where I actually have responsibilities means I have to accept that when I look round for an adult to take charge.. sometimes it’s me 🙈
I don’t really think much about age usually, but in January I turned 38, and while in many ways it feels like a total non age (still TWO WHOLE YEARS until the mega ostentation self centred party excuse), but also it’s the first time I’ve felt like maybe this is an adult age. Is it? Probably. Should I be doing sensible things like wearing beige? Absolutely the fcuk not. And nor should you. Cease and desist. Wear what brings you joy. Ruffle feathers. Feel like a farking goddess witch village oddball, running wild and free. This is a mix of responses to two pieces. What can I say, except your welcome? And I’m frazzled.
I am soon to turn 45 (christ how did that happen?!?) with a 9 year old son. I still go to my parents for loans, parenting advice and get scared that my post A level Ibiza girls holiday was 27 years ago!! And regularly feel like I have imposter syndrome in my job and ask people 20 years younger than me for help 😅
I'm 55, childfree and the owner of 2 LED masks (face and neck). One thing I noticed in my late 40's and now 50's is that I no longer get asked if I have kids, because OBVIOUSLY I've had kids who must have now left home. Maybe in a few years people will start asking about grandchildren....but for now, I'm enjoying the lull (and the colllagen)...
I google people I see on the telly, display shock that they are around my age (42), then seek reassurance that I don't look *that* old. I think I probably do look that old but it's not really that old?! Is it?!
Loved the piece- really relate. I am 33 and I feel as though it’s recently dawned on me that life is moving, I am getting older and I can’t go back. Even though I knew all these facts before, I think about aging more deeply now and sort of fear reaching the end of life. Love your writing!!!! X
I'm child free (through choice), about to hit 40 and I feel this articulates how I feel about that very well! I feel like my 30s were cheated a bit because of the pandemic so they went by in a quick flash. 19 felt like 2 years ago so I can't possibly be 50 in 10 years...
Just having this same conversation with a friend as we watch TOTP from 1997 where everyone we used to think was so old are like babies. Also the realisation they my parents were the age I am now when I went to university and I still feel like I just graduated 😢
I really relate to the feeling of being a child until you are with child. Despite being over 30 and living with a serious partner I know my parents will see me as one of four members of the nuclear family until (if) I have kids of my own.
I’m glad I read to the end 😂😂😂😂 I was like 35!!!! Loved reading this. About to turn 40 and feel like I was 17 a few weeks ago
Ha! Glad I threw in that curve ball joke now
I am so glad I read to the end too! You totally got me too 😂😂 I've just turned 50 and am also thinking how on earth did this happen so fast?! I am not wearing anything with an elasticated waist yet either and still avoid gardening at all costs x
I'm 36 and spent the afternoon gardening in my elasticated trousers 😂
I dyed my grey hairs yesterday.
But I'm also childfree and still feel far too young to be anybodies mother.
Plus the full nights sleep will keep me from feeling too old, hopefully.
See? We all age differently!
One of the funniest first paragraphs I’ve read in a long time. Brilliant. Long live aging - it’s the best and only thing we can do with a human life.
Thank you! Ps Penelope is such a good name.
I'm 50 this year, and while on the whole I'm not bothered by it, I find it baffling that it's happened so fast!
Yes! Even if it’s not a bad thing (it’s a privilege to age) it still feels so weird to see time whip by.
Turning 45 in June and when I said it out loud recently I had my first proper "wait, what... no, that can't be right" moment. Since then I have found myself searching the benefits of retinol 😵
Tretinoin!
38 now and also no children, and I definitely still feel like I’m not a real adult! Yet the few grey hairs creeping in and the refocus on a career where I actually have responsibilities means I have to accept that when I look round for an adult to take charge.. sometimes it’s me 🙈
It can’t be you!! It’s madness that the adult in charge is just…one of us??
I don’t really think much about age usually, but in January I turned 38, and while in many ways it feels like a total non age (still TWO WHOLE YEARS until the mega ostentation self centred party excuse), but also it’s the first time I’ve felt like maybe this is an adult age. Is it? Probably. Should I be doing sensible things like wearing beige? Absolutely the fcuk not. And nor should you. Cease and desist. Wear what brings you joy. Ruffle feathers. Feel like a farking goddess witch village oddball, running wild and free. This is a mix of responses to two pieces. What can I say, except your welcome? And I’m frazzled.
Bella, you hit the nail on the head again. I am 53 but constantly looking for the adult in the room to do the adulting. x
I am soon to turn 45 (christ how did that happen?!?) with a 9 year old son. I still go to my parents for loans, parenting advice and get scared that my post A level Ibiza girls holiday was 27 years ago!! And regularly feel like I have imposter syndrome in my job and ask people 20 years younger than me for help 😅
I'm 55, childfree and the owner of 2 LED masks (face and neck). One thing I noticed in my late 40's and now 50's is that I no longer get asked if I have kids, because OBVIOUSLY I've had kids who must have now left home. Maybe in a few years people will start asking about grandchildren....but for now, I'm enjoying the lull (and the colllagen)...
I google people I see on the telly, display shock that they are around my age (42), then seek reassurance that I don't look *that* old. I think I probably do look that old but it's not really that old?! Is it?!
Loved the piece- really relate. I am 33 and I feel as though it’s recently dawned on me that life is moving, I am getting older and I can’t go back. Even though I knew all these facts before, I think about aging more deeply now and sort of fear reaching the end of life. Love your writing!!!! X
I really enjoy your writing! It’s fantastic. I loved this piece.
Thank you so much sarah!
I'm child free (through choice), about to hit 40 and I feel this articulates how I feel about that very well! I feel like my 30s were cheated a bit because of the pandemic so they went by in a quick flash. 19 felt like 2 years ago so I can't possibly be 50 in 10 years...
Oh the pandemic robbed all of us of time didn’t it?
Just having this same conversation with a friend as we watch TOTP from 1997 where everyone we used to think was so old are like babies. Also the realisation they my parents were the age I am now when I went to university and I still feel like I just graduated 😢
I was listening to all saints yesterday remembering how old I thought they were when I was a teen. Turns out, the age gap is like 5 years. 🥴
I really relate to the feeling of being a child until you are with child. Despite being over 30 and living with a serious partner I know my parents will see me as one of four members of the nuclear family until (if) I have kids of my own.
In a way that’s kind of nice, you get to be the one with no responsibilities in your fam!