In My Ma’am Era

We were going to my in-laws’ last night and my husband and I stopped to pick up dinner for everybody on the way. The teenager working behind the counter said, “The cups are right over there ma’am” when I asked where the cups were so that I could fill up my drink. It was a short and respectful response, but when I got back in the car, I looked at my husband and I said, “That boy must think I’m 100 years old!” It was something about being addressed as a “ma’am” by someone who looked to be around 20-years-old that made me feel like I’m basically ready for retirement. I shouldn’t be hearing “ma’am” unless I’m saying it to someone else for another twenty years, right? 

I’m 33-years-old…that’s still young, isn’t it?

The truth is, I’m dealing with so many aches and pains that I didn’t expect to come for quite some time and at times, I definitely don’t feel young. My back is constantly hurting, it’s harder to lose weight, and my skin doesn’t glow the way it used to. I’ve found more gray hairs than I care to admit in the past year and I have had to start coloring it (something that I thought would come much later in life).

I’m just going to say it: the thirties are weird.

In many ways, I have much more confidence in myself than I did in my teens and twenties. I know exactly who I am and I’m not scared to be myself. I’m much less anxious about what people think and I’m more willing to do the things I love and to make myself a priority. Having said that, some of the things that I thought would come on much later in life, are coming at me at warp speed and I want them to slow down.     I think it’s ok to yearn for the pre-baby body without the back pain and the extra weight, but also by the same token appreciate the body that grew three beautiful babies. People often say that time goes by too fast and to enjoy every moment; I didn’t realize how true that was until I was being called “ma’am” while in a restaurant ordering my dinner. Well, since I’m here — in my Ma’am era — I’m going to do my best to embrace it.

I’m going to take care of my body and mind, and make the most of my thirties by doing these things as much as I can: 

1. Doing something active every day (even if it’s just a little walk on my walking pad).
2. Drinking ALL the water.
3. Getting outside. 
4. Replacing some screen time with book time.
5. Making better food choices.
6. Not taking myself too seriously. 
7. Being present.

I have decided to make some promises to myself in this season. I am vowing to try my best to ensure this 33-year-old “ma’am” enjoys every bit of this chapter of my life and not stay too caught up on the things I don’t have anymore. There are so many things in this season for which I’m thankful: the time I have to devote to my children and husband, and a job that is flexible and allows me to put my family first. I can be there for every event my kiddos have and I have developed the patience and self-awareness that come with getting older, so it’s not all so bad.

In fact, I think — despite the gray hair and achy back — my “ma’am” era may just be the best one yet.