Sam invited me years ago to guest blog on FIFI, and back then as someone in her late 30s I’d wondered how my musings would fit as a not-quite-yet “midlife” feminist. Aside from her forward thinking (as of course we all grow into middle age), while planning for holiday travel recently I’d realized that perhaps I had finally made it to mid-life. Why? Because I was, for the first time, packing two of things.
I like to exercise to music, but what if my lightning charge cable breaks? Solution: Bring two. What if the busted sneakers I usually bring don’t have treads for the hike I want to do? Answer: Bring a second pair. What if the luggage with my swimming towel doesn’t arrive? Remedy: pack my microfibre travel towel (when I know towels will be available). What if I run out of face 60 SPF while I’m out in the sun. Yes: Pack a second bottle.
A few years ago I blogged about treetop adventures and my reflections on realizations about value of preventative injury measures and safety thinking. Admittedly, for most of my life I have never had a “safety first” attitude (sorry mom). Due to youth, inexperience, and limited financial means I’ve usually winged it with what I had, or I just went without.
These days, in contrast, I’ve noticed my brain has been thinking ahead: planning back ups and paying more attention to minimizing risk. Is it because I can financially afford doubles of stuff, I’ve become wiser in my older age, or I’ve eventually learned from my mistakes?
It’s probably a combination. It’s pretty neat, this sudden impulse to be more prepared, because I know as I grow older I know I can less afford to be injured, and the added preparation measures give me more piece of mind (even with slightly heavier luggage).
My goal is not to reinforce stereotype about middle age. I can see how these “solutions” tend towards comfort, even excess. And I am sure there are plenty of free spirits who are reading this and, out of necessity or confidence, connect with very little of it. I celebrate you!
But today, I recognize it’s a privilege to be able to bring two of what I might (or might not) need for my holiday fitness activities, and I am appreciating that, for probably the first time, I am caring for myself in this new way.
So, as I move steadily into the middle of my midlife, I find myself twice grateful for such abundance. 💜
Speaking as one who is well beyond middle age, I enjoyed reading your observations. I used to be pretty careful about my packing. But by now, unless I am going somewhere quite remote, I pack with reasonable care & remind myself that it probably wouldn’t be too hard to get whatever I forgot if I need to. Really, if I am heading to New York City, there is no need to bring anything. Costa Rica, where I am heading in a couple of weeks? Sort of a middle ground, but my luggage will still be lighter than it used to be. Kindle, too, has a lot to do with that. Once we went to London with an empty duffle bag which we filled with books on Charing Cross Road.
Greater caution? Thank you for reminding me that injuries could be more of a problem now. Because I more often think that my relatively cautious approach is somewhat irrational for someone who has less remaining time to protect! (I do still think that adolescent risky behavior is sort of a Darwin Award candidate? Much greater risk taken, much more to lose from a bad outcome?)
I hope you continue to appreciate the various changes we all experience to some extent. I, at 72, most often think that aging is really not such a big deal, and being an active person has given me a lot of reason to feel that way. You have a lot to look forward to!