As our five kiddos grew up, things that once felt out of reach in our youthful days began to feel more achievable. We could head out for spontaneous dinners and happy hours, leaving our teens in charge—something we hadn’t done since we were too young to even think about happy hours! It also became easier to escape for weekend getaways, leaving the kids with relatives.
Approaching our mid-30s, we often found ourselves torn between excitement and a nagging doubt: “Can you believe we’re finally doing this?” and “OMG, are we too old for this?”
Am I too old to party until dawn?
- Too old to get my groove on?
- Too old to jam to that raunchy hip-hop?
- Too old to wear a flirty outfit?
- Too old to enjoy life this much?
Now?
How about now?
Okay, now?
I’ll never forget that night in Las Vegas when we left a club at 4 a.m. and my partner, Mike, said, “Let’s soak this up while we can because we won’t be doing this at 40.” I agreed, thinking that age limit was hilariously generous.
Now that I’m in my late 30s and 40 is creeping up faster than I expected, those once-clear boundaries are starting to fade. A few weeks ago, Mike and I took a quick trip to Las Vegas, where we enjoyed a concert at the fabulous rooftop pool of the Cosmopolitan Hotel. We dressed up, arrived early, and snagged a great spot.
Suddenly, a flock of 20-somethings appeared, all dressed in similar casual attire. For a moment, I felt out of place in my little black dress, but I decided to cast aside my self-doubt and just have a blast. We danced, sang, splurged on $16.50 beers, and left early for a good night’s rest.
In my 30s, I’ve finally grasped the concept of diminishing returns. Just last weekend, my high school friends, Lucy and Sarah, and I took a trip together. With a collective 10 kids among us, we’d never ventured away for more than one night. To celebrate Lucy’s birthday, we booked budget flights to Florida and stayed with my mother-in-law in her retirement community by the beach.
After weeks of planning, we dubbed it our DGAF (don’t give a f***) weekend. A little back fat or cellulite in that swimsuit? DGAF. Unsure if those shoes matched? DGAF. Mimosas for breakfast? DGAF!
But when we got to Florida and witnessed octogenarians tearing up the dance floor, our boldness wavered. “Wow, these folks could teach us a thing or two about DGAF,” Lucy remarked.
We’re getting there, though. I used to focus on the younger crowd, feeling like I was crossing some invisible line into ‘pathetic territory.’ Now, I find myself looking at the older party-goers, those in their late 40s, having a great time without a care in the world. I can be like that, I tell myself, a mix of confidence and hope. Who says fun has an age limit?
Those lively octogenarians on the dance floor were the final push I needed: there’s no age limit. Sure, there are things that might seem out of place for a 37-year-old, but honestly, I stopped doing those things ages ago. Just like at the concert in Vegas, I can’t pretend to be in my 20s anymore; I’ve tuned out that frequency.
And you know what? I’m okay with that. Aging isn’t about what you can’t do; it’s about what you can. You can rock comfy boots instead of stilettos because you’ve stopped worrying about others’ opinions (and you can actually walk afterward). You can travel with real grown-up money.
You can stay out until the party ends or head to bed at 9:30 without feeling like you’re missing out. My only limits are my own body, my mindset, and how much I care about what others think regarding my shoes, hair, or age.
I’ve packed so much fun into the last few years, and I’m not slowing down anytime soon. These days, I’m less anxious about my “expiration date.” There will always be another chance to dance the night away—whether I’m 40, 60, or rocking my bikini at 80.
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Summary:
Aging doesn’t mean you have to stop having fun. With time, I’ve learned that the joy of being out and about isn’t defined by numbers. Whether tearing up the dance floor or enjoying a night out with friends, it’s all about finding what brings you happiness, regardless of age.