Happy Birthday to Me (late 30's here I come)!

Today is my birthday FO' REAL! I'm 36 years old today. The number is not a big deal to me, but the physical changes aren't as easy. I have a healthy body and I'm feeling pretty good...not too rickety just yet, although I'm not in the best shape and improvements could be made at a gym (note to self--join a gym).

When I was younger, I could sleep all night and sleep into the morning. This all changed since the time I had my son and developed restless leg syndrome, but I'm trying it almost au natural these days. I used Ambien for about 15 months for insomnia and RLS, but it was affecting my mood negatively and creating more anxiety during the day so I quit it last summer. Now I take Melatonin and some over the counter sleep aid at night and it helps, but it's not a great sleep. Last year I was prescribed anti-anxiety meds (probably a result of the Ambien at night) and I used them for about six months, but I weaned from those last month although I believe they did help and they are the right choice for some people. I'm not even sure why I stopped taking them, but I just felt like I wanted a "cleaner body" so to speak. I'm still moody sometimes, but I try my best to deal with it. My husband suffers most I'm sure. I think all of this just comes from getting older and the hormones in our bodies shifting. We just have to find the right way to shift right along with it.

I got my first gray hair at 27 years old. Thanks Mom. I had already been coloring my hair since high school to suit my fancy and the season, but now it's a necessity and what started as just gray in my crown has quite speedily crept up to the front. They taunt me every day! I don't consider myself vain just because I don't want a head full of gray hair, but we can't all go Emmylou and look as good as her.

The hardest part of aging for me is the sagging facial skin and wrinkles that are all hitting their stride now. I feel like becoming a mother really set it all in motion although I probably would have begun the process anyway since I was 33 at the time. The dark circles and puffiness under my eyes, the "11" in my brow and the "parenthesis" around my mouth....if I could afford to, I'd probably go ahead with Botox injections on a yearly basis, but I'm a stay-at-home mom and I have a hard time justifying the need to spend my family's money on my vanities. For the record, I have no moral aversion to non-surgical procedures such as Botox. My husband on the other hand would not support it. My husband says I'm beautiful and that should be enough, right? Hmpff. I have a feeling none of this will get easier as more birthdays pass by.

This month I intend to focus on finding ways to enjoy (and maintain) what I have been given. I may look for a good book on aging or simply invest in some quality skin care regimen. I am sure I will be inspired by your thoughts and experiences as well. We as women are all in this together.

So, happy 36th birthday to me and many many more beautiful years ahead!

xoxo

Shelly