Why Worry?

Gerontophobia - (from Greek γέρων - gerōn, "old man" and φόβος - phobos, "fear") is the fear of growing old, or a hatred or fear of the elderly.

via Wikipedia

The fear may be a little premature at age 24 but let me tell you, it is real. Don't laugh, it isn't funny. Aside from my current battle with crows feet, the specific fear of turning 30 is what keeps me up at night. 

The reasons behind this fear are probably irrational, but sometimes I just can't help thinking about growing up. Why turning 30 is scary, I don't know but its just the next "big" age, I guess. There is this perceived notion at that age you really need to have your shit together. House, car, marriage, kids...the whole nine yards. Yikes. Don't get me wrong, I want that. The stability of it all is very appealing. And yet, the mere thought of it makes me want to soak up my 20's like the summer sun. Now is the time that it is still acceptable to stay out until 2am in Clearwater Beach, to run up an obnoxious tab at a classy hotel bar, to eat Doritos Loco tacos picnic style on your living room floor and to play hooky from work to hit golf balls. 

Will that stop at age 30? 

Will people look at me differently if I wanted to do those things? 

Will happy hours really end the evenings at 7pm?

Will I still be fun?

Will hangovers stretch into multi-day recovery periods? (cause lets be honest, we've built a fort in our living room with air mattresses and pillows, taking the whole day to recover once before. Maybe even twice, if we're being really honest.)

I guess I won't know until I get there and certainly am in no hurry to speed things up, that is for damn sure.

I recall a texting conversation I had with G when she was back home for the holidays and I had already returned to Florida and she wanted me to come up with one thing for real self-improvement to focus on for this year. Really think about it, don't be hasty or come up with some superficial "goal" that you will never think about again. I have decided right now after hashing things out about this ridiculous age fear. And they always say you are more likely to achieve things when you tell other people about so they can hold you accountable. Well, here it is, my aim for self-improvement this year is to worry less about what other people think about me and to just continue to put myself out there. Keep living life. I'll do me and you'll do you sort of mentality. I think that will be a first step to enjoying life more. Letting go and controlling what I can about my life. 

With 25 creeping up on me, now is the best time to start implementing this plan to just be me. Keep my head down, work hard, have fun and enjoy life more. Reflecting on what kind of shenanigans G&B have gotten into since moving to Florida, it brings a smile to my face. I keep hearing the phrase "You are only young once" from old people and it is really true. Now is the time to work for the weekend and then make the best of that free time while we are young. 

I will leave you with with this wonderful video that we all should bookmark immediately and watch when we are feeling uninspired.

Your welcome.