Growing older and aging is part of life and there isn’t much we can do about it. Or is there? I know that as I get older I have more responsibilities and different priorities. I have come to terms with that. I can’t blow off work for a weekend in Mexico or pack a bag and head to Europe on a whim like I did in my 20’s. I have my family and my work to keep me grounded and I really am not complaining. But, just because I am older does not mean I have to be an old fuddy duddy! I got my new Micro Black Scooter and now I have devised a plan to make sure that even if I am aging on the outside, I have 6 ways to stay young at heart!
- Sleep In
One thing about getting older, working every day, getting kids ready for school, and whatever duties there are, we have to wake up early. “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy wealthy and wise.” Poppycock! There are some days, especially this summer and the kids don’t have school that I stay in bed until noon.
I may not be sleeping, but I lay there and watch cartoons and eat a cinnamon roll. This isn’t a common occurrence mind you, but it feels good to shuck responsibility for a couple hours, as long as I have the time!
- Eat Sweets
Now that I am 30, I’ve noticed that I can’t eat whatever I want, when I want, and however much I want. My metabolism doesn’t work as quickly as it used to. So, I eat sensible, plenty of vitamins, nutrients, and FIBER! But, the same humdrum diet can get pretty monotonous and I have to mix it up. I don’t usually have a sweet tooth, but when I do, it’s a sweet grill not just a tooth.
So, to make me feel young and forget about eating “healthy” I indulge on some junk food once in a while. What’s a single candy bar among a week of yogurt and veggies? My mama always told me one thing, “If your body is craving something, it probably needs it!” Well, when my body craves some sweet, chocolate, caramel, gooeyness, then by all means I am going to give it just that!
- Get Dirty
Nowadays, I’m a bit of a clean freak. I wash my hands constantly, I always wear an apron when I cook and even my smock is clean when I paint. That’s no fun, is it? I have to take a break from being prim and proper and just get down and dirty. I love to play with my dogs, and after a good rain, it’s a blast to go and wrestle with them in the mud. Even when I’m playing with my nieces, I tend to be a drag because I’m always telling them to wash up.
So, when I want to feel like a kid again, I throw all my over-bearing cleanly ways out the window and just go with it. Baking with my nieces is awesome and after we’re finished, it so wonderful to find batter in my hair, frosting on my ear, and sprinkles in my pockets. Though I don’t always follow it I do often say, “the messier it is to bake/cook/eat something, the better it tastes!” So grab your spatula, a sprinkle of flower, a dash of salt, and oodles of fun!
- Scare Yourself
When I was growing up, I would sneak in scary movies that my folks saw as “too adult.” They were pretty lenient in what we watched, but there were a few that they didn’t want us to watch. Telling me not to do something is like giving me the keys to a race car and telling me not to drive it! My sister will agree that she is the same way.
So, I would watch these scary movies and come pretty close to messing myself, but it was such a rush. Now that I’m older, not too many movies can scare me like that, but I still like to try. Or, I’ll turn off all the lights, tv, radio, everything and then just let my mind wonder. Let’s just say that this brain of mine decides to go to some pretty dark corners in my psyche and I manage to scare the living bejeezes out of myself!
Water Fight
It’s summer time and here in New Mexico, staying cool is essential. I grew up in the mountains and the summers there were pretty hot and we had to find our own ways to keep from getting over heated. We played in the yard with the sprinklers, went to the creek, or spent the day at the pool.
But, those all got old and we needed something new! We gathered all the balloons and water pistols we could find and it was on like Donkey Kong! As an adult, this still sounds like one heck of a time and you would be nuts to think I wouldn’t still join in! Choose teams, prepare your arsenal, and remember that there are no friends during a water war! Ready, Aim, Fire! Attack!
- Ride a Scooter
Being an adult means we have a car and we drive. We drive everywhere, even when we don’t need to. Well, I was lucky enough to be sent a Micro Black Adult sized scooter from Micro Kickboards and it is so much fun. When I need to grab something quick from the store, instead of hopping in the big old car, I unfold, click and lock my scooter and ride the 6-7 blocks to grab what I need.
My nieces have their bikes and I have my Micro Black Scooter, so now when they want to ride I can join them and we can stay out even longer because I am not on foot. I feel like a kid when I ride my Micro Black because, as I did when I was young, I race myself. That means that I time myself everywhere I go and I try to better that time every trip I take. I’m a bit competitive and who better to vie against than myself.
The Micro Black scooter is super light and easy to fold up when I’m not using it. So, when I get to the store, I don’t have to leave it outside,
I can fold up my Micro Black and carry it on my side while I shop. And, when I’m finished grabbing what I need, I can pack up, unfold, lock into place, and get back on the roll again. I feel really vibrant and it is nice not to have to drive the car in all the dang traffic too. When I was a kid, we lived in the country and there weren’t many vehicles driving so we could ride all the time. Here, now, cars are everywhere, so any break from that is highly welcome.
The daily grind is always going to be there. Bills, deadlines, and everyday stress is a part of life. So, it’s important that we all take a break and remember how awesome life is. Be carefree and spontaneous, just like it was when we were young. When I received my Micro Black Scooter from Micro Kickboards I knew it was going to be a good day. I was anticipating it and when it finally arrived, I felt like a kid at Christmas. I ripped that box open and felt the rush I did when I was a youngen. That is what inspired me to write these different ways to feel young at heart. We have to remember that life is a blessing and we need to enjoy it! So, get up, laugh, play, scream, and stay young at heart!
