“I exist as I am, that is enough.
If no other in the world be aware I sit content, and if each and all be aware I sit content.”
— Walt Whitman,
“Song of Myself”
I’m turning 52 this week.
They say you’re only as old as you feel, and honestly I still feel a lot younger than my years would dictate. I don’t think about my age as I plan hikes, day trips and other activities; I know what I enjoy doing, and I see no reason to slow down in that respect. As a result, sometimes I incur random injuries doing dumb things I shouldn’t be doing anymore because I’m not as young as I used to be. (There’s probably a lesson to be learned there, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.)
The standard milestones — 30, 40, 50 — didn’t faze me one bit. I haven’t changed how I dress, or started eating “sensibly,” or dyed my hair. I’ve never been one to follow fashion; I wear what makes me happy, in terms of both look and feel. Same goes for food: If I like it, I eat it; if I’m not sure, I’ll try it; and if it makes me gag, no matter how “good” it’s supposed to be for me, I skip it. And as for my hair, I figure I’ve earned every strand of gray, and I refuse to hide it. In fact, I kinda like it.
I also don’t use anything in my hair other than anti-frizz products, nor do I paint my nails or wear makeup. I haven’t done any of that since I was in my early 30s. I just see no point to it. Why spend that kind of time every morning altering my looks, when I could just be myself and get an extra 30 to 60 minutes of sleep? Seems like a no-brainer to me.
Sure, I’ve noticed a few new lines on my face in the past couple of years. I’ve dealt with a few health issues that come with aging, and I’ll certainly deal with more as the years go by. And I could stand to lose a few pounds, but if it doesn’t happen I’m OK with it. The best thing age has bestowed upon me is the ability to be comfortable in my own skin and to accept myself as-is — because if I can’t, who will?
Life’s simply too short to mold yourself into what others think you should be. I’d much rather live out in the open and enjoy every minute.
So, as this latest birthday creeps up on me, I’m not stressing over it, nor am I doing anything specifically to celebrate it. On Saturday, I’m going to enjoy the annual Art Walk in downtown Aberdeen. And on Sunday, I’m taking a day trip to the southwestern corner of the state to explore the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge and eat at a nice restaurant on the coast.
Because these are the kinds of things I enjoy doing, and I’m not going to stop anytime soon.
Kat Bryant is lifestyle editor of The Daily World. Reach her at kbryant@thedailyworld.com or on Facebook at Kat Bryant-DailyWorld.
