Questionable Choices in Parenting

Laughing at life as a parent so they don't commit me

Moving Up A Box

by

I really love every part of my birthday. I love cake. I love being the center of attention for an entire day. I love using my birthday as an excuse to get out of things:

“Sorry, I can’t do laundry. It’s my birthday”

“Sorry, I can’t cook today. It’s my birthday.”

“Sorry, I can only eat cake All. Day. Long. It’s my birthday”

While I’ve never been one to get hung up on age, this particular birthday has given me reason to take pause and all because of a little box.

Moving up a box

The other day I was filling out an application for something– I cannot remember what the application was for because momnesia, it’s real and it’s wicked– and when I went to “check the box for your age,” I paused because I realized, I was moving up a box! Normally I fall into 30-34 or the 27-34 box, but now I’m moving on up to the 35-40 box. Yikes! How did that happen?Really, at what point did my box officially become “mid-thirties” and closer to 40 than 25? 35, huh?

Really, I usually have no hangups about getting older, mainly because I’m too busy, frazzled, and exhausted to really contemplate age, but I was definitely taken aback. And to be honest, I don’t really know why.

So instead of feeling down in the dumps and being an emotional eater all day today, I’m going to think of all the awesome shit people did when they were 35. Like this:

  • Julia Child started cooking at age 35
  • Evelyn Ashford won her final Olympic gold medal at age 35
  • Frederic William Herschel, an English astronomer, invented contact lens.
  • Mozart stopped composing because he died (Wait, that’s a horrible example!)

Maybe all of these accomplishments will inspire me to simply eat all the cake out of joy and anticipation of what this year of life has in store for me– I already have a few fabulous things brewing personally and professionally, and did I mention I’m eating cake all day?

So this new box, it ain’t no thing because much like a fine wine, I get better with age. Which is ridiculous because I only drink cheap wine, but I digress.

So 35, let’s do this!

Comments

  1. My friend, you are doing it wrong. You don’t just get a whole day on your birthday, you get a birthday MONTH, so the celebrations should carry on…..

    Happy Birthday!

  2. HAPPY NEW BOX DAY!!!!!!

    That sounds…bad.

    I hope your day is as wonderfully spunky, hilarious, sweet, and full of love as you are! You deserve the best and I love you hard. Can’t wait to see what’s brewing for you 😉 xoxoxoxox

  3. I moved up that box 3 years ago and I remember filling out a survey and thinking the same thing! It’s not as bad as 30 though – I didn’t get out of bed on that day. I refused to hear “Happy Birthday” because in my mind there was nothing happy about it! The next day I was fine. Hope you have a great birthday and it’s true what they say – everything gets better with age!

  4. Getting older is totally scary, but when you think about all of the things that people have accomplished when they were older, it puts in a totally new perspective. I read an article the other day about a 70-something year old body builder. That guy was totally ripped, and he was in his 70s!

  6. Hope you have a great birthday and enjoy all the cake. I think age is just a number you are as young as you act and feel.

  7. Ugh. Aging. It’s one of those things that we have to do, but it’s never fun. I think the biggest problem with aging is that we never feel any different! I still feel like I did when I was 18.

  8. Ah how fun! I’m moving up to 30 this year and I’m terrified. Not sure why, birthdays are so much fun! Happy moving up a box! Woot

  11. It is a weird feeling, isn’t it? Wait until you are 49, like me, and check a different box! By the way, Happy Birthday! February 19th was my mom’s birthday too. A special day indeed 🙂

  12. I really enjoyed this post. I’m on my way to the big 30. I didn’t know that about all those people doing so well at the age 35 either. Just think the older we are the wiser we are. So everything will be great as long as you keep the spirit up. 🙂

  13. Ah, I felt like this when I turned 30 last year and had to start checking a new box. But there are so many people accomplishing and starting things in their 30’s!

  14. Happy birthday!! It’s always tough when you move up to that next age bracket, but I think life has gotten better with every bracket change I have made.

  16. Happy Birthday Feb sister!! My birthday was a couple weeks ago, I think for us women age is a scary thing because each year the media tells you that you are losing your youth. For the first time this year I am embracing my age to the fullest because just like WINE I am aging gracefully and getting better with each year. I love your idea of looking up the accomplishments of successful people at your age…Motzart was not a good example lol!

  17. Happy Birthday to you! Welcome to the new box. 🙂 I’m about to hit a new box too…this summer. But mine’s an eek number box, hahaha.

  20. I know what you mean. i turned 30 last year and hated checking the new box. lucky some still have it that i can stay in the 25-35 range. not looking forawrd to the next box. oh well. it’s just a number right? :/

  22. This made me giggle for sure. I must remember to celebrate my “New Box Day” when it comes up…I think I have a *few* more years though. Happy Birthday!

  23. Moving up a box kind of freaked me out for a minute when I turned 35 in December. But like you said, I think 35 is pretty great! Happy Birthday!

  31. Mozart aside, 35 rocks! I don’t remember much of year 35 but I’m sure it was awesome. What can I say, “momnesia”. lol

    Happy Birthday!