As I approach 50, I’ve concluded that moderation is the key to life

A friend of mine was 50 last week. It seems like only yesterday we were sitting in M&J’s of a Saturday afternoon, eyeing up the talent, smoking a fag and making a cup of tea last three hours! Now he’s half a century old and M&J’s doesn’t exist anymore!

I’m next in line for the Big 50 and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t bother me. 40 was fine. 40 is still young. 40 is actually around about the time that you start feeling properly comfortable in your own skin and realise who you really are. Other people’s opinions don’t bother you so much and that is truly liberating.

But 50……even saying it makes me cringe! I mean apart from the obvious fact that I’m about two thirds of the way through my entire life, if I’m lucky, it also throws up a whole heap of other dilemmas.

For example: am I too old to wear a mini skirt? The kids say absolutely 100% yes! ‘Mam, don’t even think about it.’ But part of me thinks, ‘feck it! My legs are about the only part of me that have remained relatively young looking. If I want to wear a mini skirt – I’ll wear a feckin mini skirt!’

Then there’s the behaviour dilemma, as in – am I too old to misbehave? I know the answer is yes but honestly even though I may look like an aul wan, I still have the mentality of a 21 year old. I’m generally the last one to leave a party and although, theoretically I know I should be displaying long acquired common sense and cop on, these two particular traits appear to have bypassed me completely in middle age.

I’ve come to the conclusion that the secret is moderation, something else that has evaded me through life. Up until now, moderation has never featured in my vocabulary. If I want wine – I drink ALL the wine. If I want cheese – It’s the entire fridge.

I’ve always thought people who practised moderation were boring and uptight.

But I look at these self same people who are the same age as me but who have one glass of wine as opposed to four, one piece of cheese instead of 15, who run five miles a day, and they look way younger than me!

And obviously let’s be honest here, I’m never going to take up running – that would be a step too far, but not only do these people look younger, the chances are they are probably going to live longer too. And I kind of would like to hang around for another few decades.

So yes with 50 looming, It’s giving me a chance to reflect and contemplate what’s really important in life……apart from cheese and wine! Who knows…..in a few months time you could be looking at a completely new woman.

Highly unlikely but you never know!