Can I Have My Twenties Back?

20's- Wake up in the morning.

Slept 5 hours. Wake up to sound of alarm. Wide eyed, ready for the world with a smile. Pop straight out of bed, looking oh so cute in those little shorts and tank. “Oooh it’s a little chilly in here.” Bop to the closet.

30's- Wake up in the morning.

Slept 7 hours. Wake up to alarm. “Oh God, take me now.” Snooze. Alarm goes off in 10 min. Snooze. Alarm passes next 10. Hit snooze. Another 10. “Alright already! I hear you! I'm gettin up.” Slowly rise out of bed. Body still weak from the day before. Groggily head to closet. Stub toe on edge of bed. “Son of a bi&#-!” “Brrr….glad I’ve got on the flannel, it’s freezing in here.”

20's- Preparing for work.

“Oh what should I wear today? Ooh I bet that cute new guy will be there! I'll wear my new heels and that new red top. Rarrr!” Clawing in the air. “Look at me.”

30's- Preparing for work.

“I’m so sick of trying to decide what to wear. I just wish we wore uniforms so I didn’t have to decide! Nobody's looking at me anyway.”

20's- Getting ready.

Get outta shower. Once over in mirror. “Ugh! Can my boobs be any perkier? I'm gonna wear that lacey Victoria’s Secret bra to match my red top. Glad I bought that matching thong to hide my pantyline in my pencil skirt.” Wash face, brush teeth, eyeliner, mascara, smile.

30's- Getting ready.

“Glad I took my shower last night.” Once over in mirror and quickly look away. “Looks like you girls got a little lower this year. Where’s that beige padded bra I just bought from Wal-Mart. Glad it’s made out of that comfortable jersey material. And these briefs don't look that bad. If I pull them up just right they'll cover this muffin top I'm getting.” “Ugh! I hope this puffiness under my eyes goes away before I get to work. I guess I could put some powder on to hide it a bit but who has time.”

20's- Breakfast time.

“What to eat today? Let’s see.” Glance at clock. “I have time to make sausage, eggs and toast. Yummy!”

30's- Breakfast time.

“Damnit! forgot to buy eggs for my usual boiled egg and toast. Guess I'll make some cereal.” Grab cereal from fridge. The box somehow comes crashing to floor. Oats and flakes go flying everywhere. "What the he...! I don’t have time for this!”

20's- Get to work.

“Good morning! I stopped by and bought donuts for everyone!” “Good morning Peter”, “Morning Gloria.” “Hey Terrence, looking good!”

30's- Get to work.

Nia: “God I hope this day goes by fast. If i can just get to my desk without anyone seeing me.”

Co-worker: “Morning Nia!”

Nia: “Morning.”

Co-worker: “Hey Nia how are you this morning?!”

Nia: “Great.” Fake smile.

Co-worker: “Hey girl!”

Nia: “If one more person talks to me.....”

Co-worker: “Hey Nia you look tired. Rough night last night?”

20's- Getting through workday.

Boss: “Nia could you have this ready for me by 9:00? And since you were here last, a few of the policies have changed. Just look 'em over.” “Oh by the way Jennifer is out so you might have to do some of her tasks.”

Nia: “Sure! No big thing I can handle it!”

30's- Getting through workday.

Boss: Hesitantly approaches. “Um Nia, sorry to bother you, you got a minute? Here’s a list of the new policies since last week.”

Nia: “What? New policies?” “Are you kidding me?! Every time I turn around there is a new policy in place that no one is going to comply with anyway. I’m so sick of all these new rules!” (To self:) “I’m so tired of working for someone else!”

Boss: (Trying to relate with Nia.) “I know all these changes are silly.” Eye roll and uncomfortable chuckle. “By the way, Jennifer is out can you cover for her?”

Nia: Disgruntled look. “No I covered for her yesterday. Can you find somebody else?”

Boss: “Oh sure, I didn’t know you did.” “Sorry.”

Nia: (To self) “I’m so sick of Jennifer.”

20’s- End of work.

“Think I’m gonna hit the mall before I go home.” “Probably get in one of my 30 minute exercise videos once I get back from that.” “I think the Amazing Race is on tonight.” “Oooh I can watch it right after I make that pasta dish I’ve been wanting to try to make.”

30’s- End of work.

"I thought 5:00 would never get here." “Ugh! By lower back is killing me. I can’t wait to lie down when I get home. Thank God, I did my 15 min. exercises this morning. I knew I wouldn’t feel like doing anything when I got home.” “Shoot, I still need eggs. I’ll get ‘em tomorrow.” “Thank goodness I made something for dinner that will last me the rest of the week. Bed here I come!”

Perhaps things aren't as drastic as the above but they aren't too far from the truth either. And you are different from your 20's. There's no denying that. Here's a few things that begin to change once you hit 30:

• Peak of physical performance is before 30. After 30 most functions and motor skills decline.
• Decline in many cognitive processes is seen across the lifespan, accelerating from the thirties.
• Studies show that we begin forgetting details about our experiences starting at 30.
• Facial recognition becomes slower after 30.
• Speed of thought and spatial visualization skills begin declining at age 27.
• As we grow older, fatigue becomes an increasingly important issue in how our bodies will function. Over age 30, physiologic, neurological and hormonal deterioration are facts of life.
• It is estimated that approximately 5–8% of muscle mass is lost every decade of life after about age 30.

Had I listed anymore I would have thrown myself in front of a bus. I don't list these things to depress anyone. Only to inform you that if you do feel betrayed by your youth it's normal what you feel. I do feel slower at things and I feel like I'm losing myself. But it's just apart of life. And to be honest I feel a little better in knowing the statistics.

Here's some things to do to slow the process of getting older:

• Constant exercising and leading a healthy lifestyle can slow up the declining process of your motor skills.
• Learning new things can help with cognitive thinking. Learning a new language or learning how to play an instrument.
• Exercise gets the blood flowing which in turn boosts the formation of new synapses and reverses some of the decline in brain volume.
• Exercise is recommended as a means of improving motor skills, fitness, muscle and bone strength, and joint function. Research shows that weight-bearing exercise, aerobics, and weight resistance can increase stamina, stabilize balance and minimize falls.

So see, it's not all bad. Aging is apart of life. The sooner we admit that to ourselves the sooner we can progress accordingly. Living life to its fullest should be a full time job that we are readily eager to accept the challenge for. We make sure so many things are top notch in our life so it's only fair to expect the same tireless efforts towards our health. Besides the knowledge we've gained as we've put on an extra 10 years or so is worth more than wanting to be in our 20's again. Right?.....Right?