It's a great relief that my advanced age means all the awkward and embarr-assing things I had to do as a youngster are now well behind me and I'll never be subjected to them again. To name but a few:
- Obeying my parents. Or furtively disobeying them, doing what I wanted to do anyway and making sure they didn't find out.
- Dating. All those nerve-racking encounters with complete strangers, all those clumsy conversations and inept questioning.
- Losing my virginity. All in all a rather gauche and fumbling experience, trying not to make a complete fool of myself.
- Trying to look handsome/dashing/virile etc. Nowadays my only aim is to be not quite as wrinkled and flabby as other seventy somethings.
- My first day at school. I've forgotten it, but it must have been quite an ordeal for a young boy who wasn't sure what to expect.
- My first day at work. Wondering what I was supposed to be doing and almost suffocating in the dense cigarette smoke.
- Going on strike. Necessary as it was, other people's lack of interest in our grievances was disconcerting.
- Getting on the property ladder. Desperately trying to get enough money together to buy a flat and escape greedy landlords.
- Learning to drive. Always scared I would do something wrong and smash into a line of very expensive parked cars.
- Playing football/cricket/rugby. As I was obliged to do at school, utterly indifferent to all of them and hating every minute.
Who'd want to be young again? Who'd want to go through all those things a second time? Not me, for sure.
I most certainly do not want to be young again. I enjoy being a cantankerous old geezer making young people unhappy.
ReplyDeleteRamana: Well, I'm not cantankerous and I have no wish to make young people unhappy, lol, but I do like being able to speak frankly instead of worrying how my boss might react.
DeleteI wouldn't mind having young knees....
ReplyDeleteFly: Luckily my knees are holding up quite well. I get the odd twinge but I won't need a knee replacement any time soon.
DeleteA mixed bag, like all of it is. I had some marvelous moments like editor of the school mag, winning a singing competition and an essay competition (I was gauche and tall and very shy) which instilled confidence, idyllic summers on an island away from the Man Who Terrorized Us All, etc.
ReplyDeleteTravelling cheaply (free pass) all over Europe with that comradery with strangers from all over. Shockingly, winning a beauty competition in Italy (more confidence I thought I was butt ugly).
I find each stage of life interesting and a learning experience. I wish I had the health to make my old age more mobile and thus more enjoyable.
XO
WWW
www: Oh, there were enjoyable experiences as well as the awkward ones. Like holidays in Italy, and my journalist years, and some great girlfriends.
DeleteAs an introvert, I had my share of uncertainty and anxiety and wouldn't want to deal with all of that again. If I were to make a list, though, it would be completely different from yours.
ReplyDeleteMike: So what would be on your list, or would you rather not say?
DeleteI'm not much for making lists like this but mine would include not missing pretty normal things like
Delete...not being able to get up the courage to ask a girl for a date. The very few dates I did have were lots of fun.
...not having the initiative to make it to practice -- and thus make the team -- in sports like baseball and basketball
...lack of interest and motivation to do anything more than just get by in school -- I could have been near the top of my class with more effort
Mike: I'd join you with "not being able to get up the courage to ask a girl for a date." That happened to me so many times!
DeleteMaybe it’s like childbirth for me and I’ve forgotten the pain! I would revel in being 20 again.
ReplyDeleteBijoux: Unusual! I certainly wouldn't revel in being 20 again. I'm happy to be the age I am, even with a few physical failings.
DeleteSometimes, I would like to be a couple of decades younger to do more of the things overlooked in my "younger" days, but generally have no regrets about aging. The best part os not having to work ever again and every day is a weekend now.
ReplyDeleteBeatrice: I know, every day is a weekend - great, isn't it? What I'm glad to have done while I had the opportunity is a lot of travelling.
DeleteI'm glad I don't have to do any of those things either.And a Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteMary: Yes, I'm glad all those things are behind me. Happy Valentine's to you too!
DeleteYes, but. Aging brings its own challenges. I would not go back but I am glad we traveled when we could.
ReplyDeleteLinda: Old age isn't much fun if you've acquired a few serious illnesses on the way. But travelling is one of the things you can look back on with pleasure.
DeleteI have fond memories of the past (I have a selective memory), but I've never wanted to be younger than I was. I'm grateful for my life and for being retired.
ReplyDeleteJean: I also have a selective memory that screens out the worst experiences. I remember something as being unpleasant but the details have escaped me.
DeleteA wonderful list.
ReplyDeleteJoanne: So I take it you had some similar embarrassments in your youth?
DeleteI would only want to be young again if I could take my current knowledge/awareness with me. But a lot of those experiences you list - learning to drive, losing my virginity, buying my first house - we are pretty great for me.
ReplyDelete* were pretty great. I was typing too quickly.
ReplyDeleteAgent: Indeed, if we could take our current knowledge and awareness with us, things would go a lot more smoothly!
Delete