I’m in my early 40s but I often feel like a kid trapped in an adult’s body. I can clearly remember my carefree elementary school days, although I cringe when I think about junior high, and still those high school memories traumatize me much more than they bring a smile and a sigh. But mostly, I can’t help but feel like this is a refreshing age to be. To younger readers, stand by, you’ll get there someday. To those = or > 40, you know what I’m talking about.
At 40+ we don’t have to:
- deal with the angst and insecurity of our youth anymore while listening to the Carpenters or Journey
- stealth-party in dingy garages or wherever there’s a stray couch and a record player (what’s that? Is it anything like a typewriter?)
- sneak alcohol around (and hope our parents don’t notice that their vodka mysteriously turned to water)
- bum rides or be a roving pack of badly-dressed teenagers on the street.
It’s much more fun being this age, owning a better-than-a-beater car, voluntarily hanging out at home, carrying some cash, even vacationing as needed. But what do we have to do to maintain this not-too-shabby lifestyle? The dreaded J.O.B.
The truth is: I despise getting up at 4:10 a.m. to get on a train an hour later, so I can be at my office an hour after that, for 10 more hours! Then – I’m back on a train at 5 p.m. I get home, eat/read/play with kids/talk to husband/catch breaking news/check email/get ready for bed – and do it all over again the next day.
So, about a year ago I realized that the only way to battle, survive and conquer the drudgery of work (which effectively sustains the aforementioned “fun being this age” lifestyle), is to unleash my inner child and go back to the REALLY FUN things in life. Think back to childhood when we had colorful imaginations, unbridled giggles, nonsense jokes, silly antics, and armpit farts.
Who says we can’t harness that same playful energy and apply it to adulthood, including (especially) our work life? Make it your mission to enjoy a second childhood, where YOU make the rules for having fun. Always have fun.
* Check out my WhaHappen 101: Basic Intro post to get an idea where I’m going with this blog.* And share your thoughts about how you cope with the drudgery and seriousness of being an adult. We can’t actually go back to being a kid, so we may as well go forward with the right attitude!
20 kids playing along so far ↓
1 Viv
// Jan 24, 2009 at 1:31 am
Hold up! You sleep AND get to play with your kids AND catch up on news? You must do this simultaneously because I don’t think I’ve done any of that since ‘05; unless blinking counts.
BTW, I’ve met Dave Barry and he is very awesome and nice.
2 marissa
// Jan 24, 2009 at 9:32 am
WOW – you’ve MET Dave Barry! I just recently read the Bad Songs book, but I’ve been a fan forever.
I’m going to make it my goal to meet him, have him autograph a book, make him take a picture with me, and basically ask him to be the godfather of my kids.
Also on my list to meet are: Chris Rock and Jason Statham. So let me know if you have any connections. And thanks so much for stopping by.
Marissa
3 edelweiza
// Feb 8, 2009 at 2:09 am
hi, are you pinay? you commented on my blog and i appreciate it. oh, you don’t look like 40+. must be due to the child in you. keep the positive outlook alive.
4 Bill
// Feb 13, 2009 at 12:57 pm
I can’t believe the guy on the train. I was in hysterics as I read on. Your patience is boundless. I would have “thrown him from the train” after the 14th “fluff”. This blog stuff is great. I know I’m a little behind the times. I just expanded my morse code to extend across the street. You’re incredible.
5 marissa
// Feb 13, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Hi Bill,
I’m glad you enjoyed it. You know YOU are my inspiration when it comes to being young at heart (all the times we laughed so hard – well, mostly at you).
Hey, I like your secret name. And I’m glad you’re getting up to speed on the technology. So I see you also put away your tin cans on a string too?
Lots of love,
Marissa
6 anna
// Feb 19, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Thank you for reading Is This Tight! And thank you for putting us on your site. Great blog!
7 marissa
// Feb 19, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Hi anna – Cool rhyme! Your blog is hella Tight.
Thanks for coming by.
8 grannyann
// Mar 5, 2009 at 9:48 am
I’d love to exchange links. You can find yours at: http://www.anntuckerblog.com/lists.htm
Mine is http://www.anntuckerblog.com
thanks
9 marissa
// Mar 5, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Grannyann: Of course! I’ve been wanting to add you, but was thinking of a clever new category on my sidebar. I’m still in the process of site-hunting for certain themes that match my blog.
I really like that you offer the perspective of a retiree and grandparent, and WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, the insight of a prior generation.
10 The Stabbing Pen
// Apr 11, 2009 at 4:26 am
I’m 27, and have a similar outlook. I think I’ll be fine at 40. I plan on getting my nervous breakdown out of the way around 32 or 33.
11 marissa
// Apr 11, 2009 at 8:20 am
The Stabbing Pen: LOL. That’s funny. Yes, nervous breakdown during early 30’s. That way, you can make a full recovery by 40 and be good to go for anything.
12 The Constant Complainer
// Apr 30, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Here’s one way to look at it – once you hit age 40, you are in a protected categy age wise. How scary is that!
13 marissa
// Apr 30, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Hey, I’m depressed now. Thanks buddy.
One time, in line at the movie theater, someone was giving out free tickets to a movie screening. He asked me which age-range I belonged (I was mid-30’s at the time) because they were specifically supposed to give tickets to the younger people. Here’s the category he had:
18 -25 yrs old
26- 34 yrs old
35- 60 yrs old!! WTF! Since when am I lumped in with senior citizens!!! LOL!
14 Anita McCants
// Jun 11, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Hey Marissa!
Whenever I hear Don’t Stop Belivin’ by
Journey, I crank up the volume and sing the
chorus.
Long ago and oh so far away I knew all the words
to a list of songs from the Carpenters. I would
play the album over and over.
It’s great you decided to unleash your “inner
child” and not let your job bring you down.
I agree with you, 40’s “is the refreshing age to
be.”
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Keep in
touch.
P.S. I’m resending this because my smiley
faces turned into question marks. lol.
15 marissa
// Jun 11, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Hi Anita McCants:
Yay! I really get a kick when people know the music we grew up with. When I was blogging regularly, I wanted to quote lyrics from old school music within my posts, but I never know if alot of people will actually “get it.”
Thanks for visiting!
16 Meschelle
// Jul 16, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Hi Marissa,
I just had lunch with your hubby and he was bragging about your blog so I wanted to check it out! I am hoping that my 8 month old will keep me young…but his current sleep schedule makes me feel old! I am sure when he is a teenager sleeping 12 hours a day I will miss these times. I am trying to get some our HS friends together soon so I hope to see you!
17 marissa
// Sep 1, 2009 at 11:13 am
Hi Meschelle!
I’m so happy for you and your family. Your son is absolutely ADORABLE in the pics. I promise you, being around kids will keep you young. Except when they’re teenagers, they’ll remind you constantly that “Mom, you’re sooo not cool and hip.” But don’t ever believe them.
Hope to see you soon too! And thanks for stopping by. Take care.
18 Darryll
// Apr 29, 2010 at 1:48 pm
OK – found your blog and LOVE IT! WAY too much fun to keep it to yourself… way to opine about the merits of acting like a kid.
I’ve been fortunate enough to age well and don’t look my age. When people ask how old I am, I always tell them that I take my age, add to it how old I ACT, and divide by 2… THAT’S how old I like to think I am.
I wrote a book all about what life was like when we grew up. I would gladly send you a copy if you like to read and maybe comment/blog about it. I’m a *little* older than you (50) but the stuff in this book easily spans 3 to 4 decades of readers.
You can check out the website: http://www.my70sbook.com , and my listing on Amazon!
Thanks!
19 marissa
// May 1, 2010 at 9:02 pm
Hi Darryll! I just caught your comment 2 days later in my In Box. I love your “math,” which would calculate to me being 35, but I’m pretty sure I’m 10.
I WILL blog about your book! I read it over a year ago, and it was totally fun to go back in time. I recalled alot of the stuff you wrote about. But, it’ll be fun to re-read it and write up a post.
I’m just getting back into blogging after a year-long hiatus (with a couple of posts in the middle), but I’ll give you a heads up when it’s ready. Thanks for visiting – I feel honored that you stopped by.
20 Darryll
// May 2, 2010 at 1:40 am
Thanks, Marissa. So glad you liked my book and I’ll look forward to your post about it.
Glad you’re back to blogging… I’ll be following you. I love your “stay young” attitude that’s prevalent throughout your site! Refreshing and fun!
Come out and play - Leave A Comment