Another Year, Another Insecurity
Holy guacamole. It's 2019. I'll turn 50 this year. I have eight months to get used to the idea of being as old as my mother was when I decided she was too old to work in the yard without having a heart attack. Now, I'm going to be that old.
I'll have to ask myself if I've done all the things I want to do? If not, is there still time to keep striking things off the list? Am I ready for wrinkles, more gray hairs, and a colonoscopy?
On the bright side, getting older is motivating. There are things I want to do and I no longer have the naïve pleasure of assuming I have an eternity to do them in. It's only the ignorance of youth that allows for the squandering of time. Hopefully, maturity means less time spent on stupid things like inane worry and vain insecurities and more time spent finishing jobs and projects.
You know...Worry less. Do more. That would be nice.
Welcome to the IWSG. It's the day to share worries, insecurities, and release the stress build-up from the writing game. If you're a writer and need support and guidance, join us!
OPTIONAL IWSG Day Question:
What are your favorite and least favorite questions people ask you about your writing?
Very few questions about writing bother me. I am full of questions myself and rely on the patience of others to help me out.
The only question that makes me cringe a little are the ones based on the assumption that all the stories I write are somehow based in reality. Like I have a closet stuffed full of romantic skeletons that I am revealing to the world one story at a time.
That can be a bit awkward.
But then I remind myself that the stories must seem real if a reader assumes they're autobiographical and that's a compliment, so even those questions are okay.
Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh and this month's Co-Hosts: Patricia Lynne, Lisa Buie-Collard, Kim Lajevardi, and Fundy Blue!
A closet full of romantic skeletons--that's funny! None of my stories have anything to do with my real life at all. I think if I wrote about my life it would be pretty boring.
ReplyDeleteSame here.
DeleteYour comment about turning 50 and colonoscopies made me laugh! So much fun stuff to look forward to as we get older :-)
ReplyDeleteI like your take on people asking if your stories are true and seeing it as a compliment that your plots are so realistic.
It was much more exciting to look forward to turning the legal drinking age. Ah, the good old days.
DeleteTell them you keep those skeletons in the attic instead.
ReplyDeleteFifty is just a number, trust me. Although some days it feels like a crappy number...
You're right. 50 is just a number. And I'm one of the lucky ones to get to hit that number.
DeleteOh, I love this - "You know...Worry less. Do more. That would be nice."
ReplyDeleteMy problem is that I'm getting older but not necessarily more mature. :)
Maturity could be over rated. It's good to keep the spirit and energy of youth...some days.
DeleteI like your closet full of romantic skeletons ;)
ReplyDeleteThis year I hope to shed my worrying habit.
Btw... we will never be ready for wrinkles, gray hairs or a colonoscopy!!
You're right. I want to delay them all as long as possible!!!
DeleteIf anyone can do everything set out to do, it's you. You have the best humor Elizabeth. Happy New Year :)
ReplyDeleteErika, have I mentioned you're my new most favorite person ever? :)
DeleteYou have a Happy New Year too!
♥
ReplyDeleteHugs, Mac.
DeleteWorry less and do more would be fantastic. I think that's my goal for this year.
ReplyDeleteMaybe that will be my resolution. I can make a list of things that need finishing and go to it when I worry.
DeleteWhat would a romantic skeleton look like? Covered in rose petals and clutching one between their teeth? LOL
ReplyDeleteYep. That's pretty much it! Add a sexy teddy and a bottle of bubbly and that's the exact romantic skeleton I'm talking about. LOL
DeleteGood that getting older motivates you. And you're still young at 50. I'm already over 60.
ReplyDeleteAnd you're obviously staying motivated. That is inspiring.
DeleteAnd getting old means you can use "I'm too old for this...you know" more and more.
ReplyDeleteAnd there's less shock when I pull out a coupon.
DeleteI turned 50 last month and it was kind of a weird feeling. But I ended up having one of the best birthdays I've ever had thanks to a wonderful surprise party, so I decided to just embrace it. That worked until I got an invitation to join AARP in the mail! :D
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and your family!
We're AARP eligible? I suppose if there are any savings to be had, I'll accept them. LOL
DeleteMay as well embrace it. As my father always said, growing older beats the hell out of the alternative.
I won't tell you how old I turn this year, but it's older than you! Happy new year Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteAnd no one would ever guess it, so you will have to send me your secrets.
DeleteI turned 55 Nov 2018 Yikes. Happy New Year and IWSG!
ReplyDelete55 doesn't seem so old from where I'm sitting.
DeleteHappy New Year to you too!
I hear what you're saying. I never thought I'd be as old as my mother when I realized she was a senior, but I've nestled into the idea. I'm a bit smug when I tell my kids, "Just wait!" :-)
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy reminding them we share the same genes.
DeleteI think it's safe to assume no one is ever ready for a colonoscopy. And where are you hiding that closet full on romancing skeletons? teehee
ReplyDeleteThat's the sort of closet best suited for the basement. LOL
DeleteThat would be one interesting closet! Let me know if you worry less when you turn 50. Then, I have something to look forward to in the next years ;)
ReplyDeleteGetting older is liberating. My kids are all heading toward independence and adulthood, so there is less worry about that. I'll keep you posted on the after effects of hitting middle age.
DeleteThe 50s set me free. I was liberated to enjoy life my way embracing the blessing of life :) Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThat's what I like to hear! Thanks!!
DeleteCelebrate your age and the wisdom you've accumulated. Wishing you success in 2019.
ReplyDeleteI do prefer to be the mature version of me over teen me. She could be a bit of a twit. LOL
DeleteGetting older does have it's advantages. For one thing, we tend not to care what people think quite so much.
ReplyDeleteOn the bright side of turning fifty, keep this in mind:
Forty is the old age of youth.
Fifty is the youth of old age.
See. You're going to be young again. For an old fart! ;)
Love it! I can be a newbie in the AARP.
DeleteWow! The closet full of romantic skeletons is funny, but like you said, also complimentary. :)
ReplyDeleteJust think you've leveled up! Level 50! Does that help? I try to think of my birthdays like that, but ... I still haven't decided if it helps. Getting older is better than the alternative.
My mom still hasn't stopped gardening at age 77 - although I have to remind her to take breaks so she doesn't throw her back out.
If only I could get bonus items with each level up. LOL
DeleteMy grandmother gardened until she was 90. She never let age dictate what she did. Hopefully, I have the same genes.
If it makes you feel any better, my SON is rapidly approaching the big 5-0. (Yipes!) Believe me, you're still young, and as long as you keep that sense of humor and sunny outlook, you'll stay young. (I'm reeeeally young at heart... the other parts are slightly older...)
ReplyDelete