12 ACTUALLY REALLY GOOD THINGS THAT HAVE COME WITH GETTING OLDER

Knowing who I really am beats having perky boobs.

- ABBY LANGER

My periods are a mess because my hormones are nuts. I have jiggly skin on my thighs and three dimples on my right buttock. For those of us who’re used to looking a certain way, ageing really throws a curveball.

I’m (redacted) years old, but let’s just say I’m over 40 and getting pretty sensitive to the term ‘middle-aged’. And while I’ve begun to see some, well, interesting signs of ageing, I’ve realised that not everything about getting older’s negative. In fact, there’re a lot of non-tangible benefits to growing up, and they can make you a stronger, better, more self-aware person.

Here’s a list of the actual good things that have happened to me as I’ve gotten older.

I GIVE ZERO FUCKS.

I used to party like a rockstar. Now, I don’t even feel the FOMO; I’d rather go to bed at a decent hour than be out at the latest restaurant or parties. I bought a pair of furry slippers, and I don’t give a damn if you like them. I’ve found that getting older’s made me a lot more self-confident in my choices. At this age, peer pressure has ceased to exist, and that’s so freeing.

I’VE CUT OUT THE DEAD WEIGHT FROM MY #SQUAD. (IS THAT WHAT YOU YOUNG PEOPLE SAY?)

I used to think the more friends I had, the better, but I don’t have the time or the motivation to deal with peoples’ high maintenance issues. I’ve cut those people from the team and added others who challenge me intellectually, nourish my soul, and who’re solid friends, not needy time suckers. My time’s precious. Why waste it with people who annoy me?

I KNOW MY STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES AND WHAT I’M CAPABLE OF.