“How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?”
- Satchel Paige -
Every year we celebrate a birthday, and a new number is assigned to us. Does this influence how we age? Do we age faster because we count birthdays? Would it change anything if we didn’t?
Birthdays aside, how old do you feel? For me it varies. There are times when I feel like I’m in my teens, masquerading as an adult, never having truly matured into a proper grownup. The mirror tells a different story, of course, but my mind dismisses that.
Other days I feel well past my 49 years, especially during those periods when I overexert myself, and push my middle-aged body way past its abilities. The morning after aches and pains shatter my imaginary inner teen.
If I had to put a number to it, I’d say I generally feel like I’m in my mid to late 30s. I’m not sure how one is supposed to feel at that age, or any given age for that matter, but society has norms and expectations for each age group, and most days I don’t quite fit into the late 40s club.
Most days.
I wonder how we’d feel and how we’d age if we didn’t count the years, and if we had no idea how old we truly are? How would this affect us mentally and emotionally?
How old do
you feel?