I remember when I was in my early 20’s, my 30th birthday seemed so so far away, and the age 30 also sounded kinda old in my ears. How foolish of me, but that’s what life is about, right? Live and learn. Now, 10 years and 2 kids later, with 32 candles on my birthday cake, I ask myself: “Do I feel old?” And the answer is: NOPE, not at all. I mean after 2 pregnancies, I’m not gonna lie, I can feel my back sometimes, and I may not able to party all weekend and look fresh on a Monday, but that is totally fine. I have learned so much about myself and life in general, that I really would not like to go back to 20. Yes I know, the outer appearance changes, and we cannot really stop that, but if you focus on a healthy lifestyle, most signs of aging can be slowed down to a certain extent. There are actual benefits of getting older, and here’s how to look at the bright side of it.
+You get to know who you really are
Thinking back, it really took me a while to figure out what I want from life. My generation grew up with movies, tv-shows and we experienced the beginnings of social networking. There was a lot of change going on during that time. It opened up new opportunities and shifted perspectives. Being influenced by external and internal changes, back then, I have never envisioned the life I am living right now. The experiences I have encountered over the last few years have shaped me into the person I am today, and I am grateful for every one of them. Without the joy, heartbreak, excitement, sadness, happiness, fear, love, devotion I wouldn’t be the person I am today. And I love that person. It is important to make the best out of everything. If something bad happens, try to learn your lesson. If something good happens, enjoy it to the fullest of your capabilities and cherish that moment. Each and every moment in your life gets you closer to the person you want and need to be. So pay attention and just live!!!!
+ You went through some shit
Once you have reached a certain age, you can be 100% sure that you’ve had quite a few moments of pure rage, desperation, and feeling totally lost. The good news is, you have survived those moments, got out of that hole, and reinvented yourself. Living through tough situations helps us grow. We might not notice it right away, because it hurts too much at that moment. But the next time you’re dealing with a similar situation you will be more mature and know what you gotta do to not get hurt again. With everything that you are going through, you are preparing yourself for life and can give you a feeling of relief.
+ You’re more confident
I think my turning point was my first pregnancy. Before I had kids I always paid a lot of attention to how I look, what I wear, how my hair looks etc. And I think every mom will understand me when I say that you just don’t give a f*** about any of that for some time after you gave birth. The sleepless nights, breastfeeding, and changing your & your babies’ clothes 10 times a day because they smell like throw-up, doesn’t really leave a lot of room for beauty rituals. Yes I left the house without make-up on, my daily wardrobe was “please comfortable”, and I felt great. Of course, it was the high of being a new mom, but it just changed my perspective, and looking at pictures from back then: I looked amazing. And of course, I went back to the gym and got in shape pretty quickly, but I wasn’t pushing it, it just came naturally. Now after two kids I am in the best shape I have ever been. But the confidence I have now does not come from me being back in shape. I am confident because I am raising two children, being independent, working, blogging, painting, and managing to stay fit.
+ You realize how important your time is
Having a very tight schedule I really noticed that I don’t have time nor patience for any BS. Getting older you see what really matters in life, and some things are simply more important than others. Your relationships get stronger: you know that family, a few close friends means more than having a huge circle. There is no time for toxic or superficial friendships. You learn to also do things for yourself, and enjoy them. You also learn that comparing yourself/ your life to someone else’s life is a waste of time. You are you and you will always be you.
+You focus more on health and fitness
Well back in my early 20’s, I didn’t really think too much about what I eat, how many hours I sleep, or how much water I drink every day. It was all about having fun. It still is all about having fun, and it’s even more fun when you know you’re doing the right by your body. Good nutrition, enough sleep, 3 liters of water every day, and some workouts are very important to ensure a healthy lifestyle. Especially in times of a pandemic, we have to make sure our bodies are strong and healthy. Focussing on a balanced diet will also help you slow down the visible signs of aging since your body is getting what it needs to produce what’s necessary for that. I am a huge advocate of alkalizing the body, and occasional fasting.