Remembering to Have Fun

Does anyone else miss that invincible feeling you had when you were 20 years old? Remember that unbridled freedom you felt about every aspect of your life – what you ate, how late you stayed up, and not feeling bad about making occasional impulse buys?

That ability to not consider the ramifications of every choice I make is one of the things I miss about my younger years. I’ll be turning 50 in a few weeks, and I’m starting to feel a lot of internal pressure to be more responsible and disciplined about every aspect of my life.

I no longer grab a fast-food cheeseburger, fries, and soda without a second thought if I’m out shopping or working. Instead, I count how many fruits or vegetables I’ve eaten that day, and I try to figure out what low-calorie, healthy dinner option I can make for my family.

With my oldest child attending college this fall and a hefty tuition

Excited

bill looming, I watch my smaller purchases much more because I know they add up quickly. I try to pay extra on my mortgage each month because I want to be debtfree when I retire.

Since I know sitting for most of my day is bad for me, I now write a lot of my articles at a standing desk or my stationary bicycle’s desktop. When I do sit down, I’m mindful that I need to get up and stretch my legs every 30 minutes or so.

The other day, as I was sitting at home and writing an article on a Friday night when my kids and husband were out having fun, I started thinking about what I would do after finishing my article. The first thing that came to mind was cleaning my kitchen, and then I had a sudden moment of clarity when I thought: When had I become so boring?

I felt like the 20-year-old me buried deep inside was shaking her head in disapproval. So, I called my husband and some friends and planned something that would take me out of the house. I put on some makeup, hit the ATM, and had a marvelous time.

Does this mean I’m going to give up all the healthy lifestyle changes I’ve been struggling to make over the past few years? Not a chance, but I’m also going to give myself permission to have a little more fun and freedom from all the rules I’ve set up for myself.

If you’re like me and find that your life has become a little too predictable, boring, or structured, it can be fun to change it up once in a while. In fact, it might be just what you need.

Healthy Options

Best wishes,

Shannon Serpette, Niche Editor

Boomers Today 426 Second Street La Salle, Illinois 61301

(815) 223-3200

(800) 892-6452 www.newstrib.com

Publisher Dan Goetz

Niche Editor Shannon Serpette sserpette@shawmedia.com

Regional Advertising Director Jeanette Smith jmsmith@shawmedia.com

Writers David Cook

Brandon LaChance

Katlyn Sanden

Shannon Serpette

Photographers David Cook

Brandon LaChance

Katlyn Sanden

Shannon Serpette

Designer

Liz Klein

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