Had a rough week or so at work. I sort of feel as though I'm in a bit of a middle age rut to be honest. Does everyone feel the same way I wonder? I'm 36.
How I got to 36 I'm not quite sure. But it would appear that 40 isn't that far into my future.
I think it's perfectly possible to feel isolated at around my age. Most people are preoccupied with kids and the like, and social contact, genuine friendship of the sort you have in your early 20s, becomes pretty hard to come by. At least if you don't have children.
I just worry my life is passing me by.
At least if I keep getting fitter, healthier, and leaner, I see that as a positive.
You have opened up a mighty big subject area there! Isolation and asking the big questions about career, purpose and generally the meaning of anything is part of the deal for any thinking person. At 36 you have a long way to go - definately not in middle-age territory yet - and the great thing is that your life could change dramatically at any time if you so wanted it to, and sometimes regardless of whether you want it to or not! You never know what's round the corner - good or bad - the trick is to meet whatever comes and turn it into a positive experience. I have got kids and can honestly say that they are the best thing in my life, but I have also hung on to a couple of really close friendships going back to college days, the kind of people who can tell you at times to shut the fuck up and you know they are generally right. You have to work at these friendships though through the competing pressures of family and career, but its more than worth it. Turning 40 sacred me shitless - but it came and went, and now I don't even think about my age unless someone else comments on it. Its just not relevant anymore in modern society. I know 50 year olds who look 70 and vice-versa - its all about mentality and outlook I reckon. Our generation has broken the mould on steroetypes, it all out there to be done! You will be fine mate - just get out there and meet whatever's coming with equal measures of optimisim and cynisism! That way you hedge your bets! Good Luck
ReplyDeleteThanks, yes a little self indulgence appears every now and then. That's the benefit of an anonymous blog. I would like to have children. I'm still working on getting that right. The focus at the moment for me is my health, which is a positive as I said. I want to be the 70 year old who looks 70, rather than is dead, for a start. Looking 50 would be even better.
ReplyDeleteI feel good about my diet change, even though I haven't actually had meal that's been influenced by it. I think I might get some kick arse results with some simple Asian meals. Europe was just too heavy and calorific for me, in the end. I put on weight, that's for sure, thinking I was being healthy, and mate, has it been hard to shift it.
I think I kidded myself with alcohol for a long time too, as I put the weight on. A meal of substance (the more oil the better), along with a glass or two of red wine. Why, I could be in the middle of Italy or France. I'm going to live till I'm 100.
Instead I whacked on 20kg+ over a few years, head in the sand. Whatever the French and Italians and whatnot have going for them, you can't grab it buy whipping up a classic Italian meal and drinking half a bottle of wine.
At least I couldn't.
I'll give it a go anyway.
On the mate front. I've got some who are mates in theory but I never speak to them. I've probably got 3 fair dinkum mates I catch up with regularly. That's probably pretty normal for someone my age. I don't know.
The biggest thing for me is my brain. Has anyone else worked that out? If your brain is in a good place, then good things happen. But if you get into a rut, or suffer from mood swings, then bad things happen (health wise). One thing I've noticed off the piss is that my brain is more constant. Fewer swings. No hangover or post piss high depression.
Have to go.
I'm definitely with you on the brain thing. I am much more consistent & happier than I have been in ages. This is how we should feel.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Brett.