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Why I know I’m getting older… but don’t really mind (by Robyn Slingsby, aged 30 and eleven months)

Age is just a number and you’re only as old as you feel, apparently. In my head I’m still a teenager but my birth certificate will tell you different. So, how can I tell my 20s are behind me? Here are a few subtle hints (in truth, I prefer it this way. Older = wiser, for sure.)

No more bambi on ice

All the gorgeous high heels I own are stored away in boxes and never worn; they rarely make it onto my actual feet. I live my life in flat shoes, be they boots, flip flops, sandals or trainers. The only time I wear heels these days are for those “sitting down dos” where I don’t have to walk very far, ‘cos they kill me, and where I can slip them off under the dinner table when no one can see. When I was 17 I lived in high heels and don’t remember being in such agony when strutting my stuff in them. Now, even though they look beautiful, they sure don’t feel that way. But I don’t mind not wearing heels much anymore – my feet don’t hurt, I don’t get blisters and I don’t look like bambi on ice when walking!

Sleep is my friend

A late night for me now is generally past midnight, rather than past dawn. In fact, I purposely arrange dinner dates with friends early on in the evening so I’m back home and tucked up in bed before witching hour. I love my bed though, so why would I want to be parted from it?

Think more, drink less

Hangovers are a rare occurrence because I now know not to drink so much that I get one. Before, hangovers were just a side effect of a great night out. Now, they’re something I know I can – and am keen to – avoid. I hardly drink at all these days and if I do it’s generally in moderation. It doesn’t make me boring, it just means I don’t spend the following day with my head down the toilet. Not a great use of anyone’s time!

Document it

I watch documentaries. Documentaries used to be boring and what old people watched. Now I find them really interesting. How Eddie Izzard ran a ridiculous number of marathons in not very many days, how fat, pregnant teenagers are putting a strain on their health and the NHS and why the world’s fattest man is… well, fat. On the plus side, I’ve ditched the brainlessness that is Hollyoaks and I’m actually learning something while I watch TV instead of how to apply foundation with a trowel.

Leggings eleven

I rarely show bare legs. A few years ago I was happy to parade around in a short skirt and sandals, without a care in the world. Now I feel like some kind of brazen hussy. I still wear short skirts but always with a pair of tights or leggings underneath. My legs are actually one of the few things I can bear to look at without cringing but I still feel too old to get them out in all their nudity. I like to put it down to being plain classy.

I use bleach.

Who the hell in their 20s uses bleach? (And I ain’t talking hair dye here, I mean the pungent smelling germ killer) Exactly, but I’m 30 so it’s fine. It’s great for ridding the home of unwanted smells, grime and nasty black mould spores around the shower. The plus side is that I have a neat, tidy and clean home to relax in. Clutter stresses me out and cleanliness calms me. So I’m much calmer now I’m 30 and armed with bleach.

One in, one out. Repeat pattern

I don’t go out two nights in a row, not if I can help it. While I used to be the girl who never said no (within reason) to social functions, now I have to say no else by the weekend I am fit to drop. If I’m catching up with friends or pumping iron in the gym (ha!) one night, I’ll need to settle in front of the TV with a magazine the next. A tad anti-social, yes. But cheaper too!

Embrace the day

I rarely lie in past 9am. In my 20s I was quite happy to spend the day in bed and sometimes tea, toast, the laptop and remote control would join me. Now I want to embrace the day and make the most of my days off work. Okay, sometimes after a hard week or a long flight etc, we need to catch up on sleep and stay in our pits until past noon, but it’s extremely rare. Funny, I’m only keen to get out of bed on weekends though, Monday through Friday it’s a real struggle!

So, that’s it. These are sure signs I’m getting older, but I embrace them. I love wearing comfy shoes, early nights, no hangovers and spending more time chilling out at home. So, while I may not be the youthful devil I once was, being 30 is actually pretty cool.

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