The other day on the golf course, I ran into a hula sister that I hadn’t seen in a long time. We caught up on each other’s lives; talking story the way island people do. She wasn’t dancing hula just then; I still was; the weather sure had been weird; she was still landscaping for folks on the West End, I was still writing about Menopause and more; did we think the wind farm would happen, etc.
She changed position and winced. “I hate the aches of aging, that’s for sure.” I agreed.
5 Things I Don’t Like About Aging
#1. Wrinkles
I slather myself with Lancome High Resolution anti-wrinkle cream and zap my self with a galvanic spa that delivers microvoltage with lotion to further smooth out the crevices of age. And with that, I can say that I look pretty good…wait for it…for my age. The crepey neck thing is another story – turtleneck tops are just not an option in the tropics.
#2. Aches and Pains
Sure, I had aches and pains when I was much younger – usually they were the result of some sports debacle like being catapulted over my sail when windsurfing. There was some glory and a great story while I healed. Now, I will wake up aching for no discernible reason other than it’s Monday. And believe me, no one wants to hear the story of sore joints or cranky muscles unattached to a specific adventure.
#3. Dry skin
I need to liberally apply moisturizer even in the tropics. And when I am in desiccating Lake Tahoe for the summer? Bathing in the stuff wouldn’t be enough. And of course, the dryness makes wrinkles and the wattle so much more noticeable. (See # 1.)
#4. More Tentative Physically
While I will still cross a stream on rocks or logs, I now stop and think long and hard about how I will do it. I no longer jump off small ledges – because my knees and ankles just are not as strong and limber as they once were. So I’m much more careful. And tentative. And smart, too. Because as Theresa Venus has pointed out: “We used to bounce, now we might break.” Still, I miss the feeling of pure physicality and knowing I could do anything without thinking about it.”
#5. I can’t think of a fifth one right now, oh wait, yeah, Short Term Memory Sucks.
Sooooooooooo I make lists and counterlists and backup lists and ultimate last resort lists. Now if I could just remember where I put those freaking lists…
Surely there are more things about aging that we find annoying or distressing. But my hula sister and I shared our biggest secret. We LOVE being this age and wouldn’t go back for anything. Stay tuned for the next blog post where I’ll list the 5 things I love about being the age of a post menopause goddess.
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Varicose veins. Age spots. My arms – what on earth is happening to my once beautiful, toned arms? What is all that hanging skin all about? Now I have to shop for long sleeves in the summer? UGH.
I recently did that jump from a low ledge and the jolt that ricocheted through my body screamed, “What the heck are you thinking?!!!”
I also fell down the stairs in our new home a few weeks ago and the bruises and pain in my ribs (that still sings to me when I sneeze or get out of bed) just reminded me that in a very short time (8 days to be exact), I turn 50! (How did that happen?)
Kat
The memory thing is big. I’m still working FT and had to learn a new elec. chart system and software program last year, plus help input 6,000 (yes that’s 6,000! active patients in our practice) last year. We had to manually input all the initial data, bec/ too expensive to scan so much paper in the charts. I called myself the “data bitch”: what an unrewarding task. It was a stressful and burn out year! I resent having to learn new software w/ every upgrade of every electronic thing we do. (For example: Google deleted my old “favorites” link list.) GRR. My palm pilots x 2 died, and now need replacing w/ a new gadget. I hate gadgets. I like to live life in the now. My husband has no patience to teach me or help me learn. Thank god my kids visited me and helped me learn some of the digital photo stuff. I need a personal electronic trainer! I’d rather be out digging in the dirt, doing yoga or interacting w/ a PERSON, a plant, any other living being, than a fricking gadget. Oh, I do get that I’m interacting w/ humans now, but prefer the personal touch! I am determined to try to keep somewhat up to speed w/ digital age, but I see that screen time is now a problem addiction for many people.
While I certainly am not a fan of the slowly developing chronic elbow/knee pains, the drooping jowls, leather neck, on and on – I would enthusiastically embrace it all in exchange for the one thing I hate most about aging – that is, running out of time. I love this life.
Wonderful writing really you have a good job I like so much your post. I like to live life in the now. My husband has no patience to teach me or help me learn. Thank god my kids visited me and helped me learn some of the digital photo stuff. Thanks for nice information I always keep it.
I love the feeling of strength in my leg muscles after I go for a bike ride. Have since I was kid! Linked to a good article, “What I Love About Menopause” in my signature.