How to Feel 10 Years Younger without Botox

Last week I realized that I feel better at almost 39 than I did ever in my 20’s. Here is my non-Glamour magazine approved list of how to feel instantly younger without Botox or Spanx. (I can’t wear tight Spanx. I’m claustrophobic and I feel like a sausage. But, I wish I could include them here).

1. Hair Color – I’m prematurely gray. My mom and uncle were totally white before their 30’s. When I see my roots, they aren’t so much gray as solid white. So, I will forgo all other expenses so I can afford hair color.
2. Bangs – I can’t afford Botox and the thought of needles in my forehead kind of creeps me out. Bangs come to the rescue. (I actually did just see this in a magazine’s list of anti-aging tricks, but I knew that YEARS ago.)
3. Chase a toddler all day. It’s hard to feel old when you’re running after a crazy toddler for 14 hours a day.
4. Move fast. I’m a firm believer that no one can see your wrinkles really closely if you just move around a lot. It’s hard to focus too much.
5. Bare Escentuals – My mom got me hooked on this a few years ago. The mineral makeup works for me. The makeup doesn’t collect in my wrinkles and feels nice. I haven’t tried the other brands, but I’m a believer now.
6. Take classes. Any kind. Strangely, I feel instantly younger and revitalized when I am back in classes. You’d think I’d feel old as a boot next to a bunch of 20 somethings, but I actually feel younger when my brain is working.
7. Join a gym with lots of older people. I work out at a university gym. While I try not to compare myself to the itsy bitsy 19 year-olds, there seems to be a large group of 70 and 80 somethings working out there. (Maybe retired professors). They are rock solid! So, while I feel infinitely younger than them, it’s also really promising to see older folks pumping serious iron.
8. Cute shoes. Who needs to be told this? Finding cute shoes make me instantly lighter in my step. They are even better at a bargain.
9. Have a spouse or partner a good bit older. My husband is 9 years older in chronological years. In reality, I think I’m two years older. But, no matter what, I always feel younger than him in comparison.
10. Attend your spouse’s 30th High School Reunion. I didn’t know anyone there so I have no idea what anyone looked like in high school. And, everyone seemed really lovely (even though I was bored to tears). But, I felt like a kid there. While everyone else was talking about their grandchildren, we think we were the only couple with a toddler at home.

Moral of story – Age is relative. I’m just being silly, but I thought about my perception of aging this week and I feel great. Of course I have a disclaimer (I always do). I think that we (we the US) are pretty obsessed with NOT aging. I am not anti-aging. I don’t mind being almost 40 and am not trying to look like a 25 year old. I just want to be a healthy, well-aged almost 40 year old.

Tune in next week when I drop my son off at preschool. I may be the oldest mother. I may have a list of how crappy I feel.

***I have not received any compensation for mentioning Bare Escentuals products. They don’t know I exist except for my credit card in their database. But, if makeup suddenly shows up at my doorstep, I will be really happy. Hint hint.