I've mentioned this before, I think...
I know a lot of people who think that I am a lot younger than what I actually am. I'm 34, but generally, people think I'm about 25 or a little bit younger. I've been carded recently for both cigarettes and at a bar that I don't normally go to, but that stopped happening a couple of years ago, too, on average. Now, I have a twin... who everyone thinks is way older than me, because they only think that we are plain sisters (of course we're non-identical!).
I've seen other people go through this... when they are no longer considered a young adult... you know of legal age to their mid- twenties. Once you are in your thirties, generally you cannot pass for that age anymore. But why? Has it got to do with style? A certain attainment of maturity or just fine skin? Or maybe it's a lack of maturity, or just the crowd that you hang out with?
I was originally going to post this in the Family section, because I wanted to go a step further and say, you can certainly tell the difference between a parent, and a non-parent, even when there are no kids around. Again, I'll use me and my sister as examples. When she wears track pants, jogging shoes, and has her hair in a bun, it looks like she hasn't had time to properly get ready to go. Like she's ready to go grocery shopping for the family. Like she's about to do some gardening. However, when I wear track pants, jogging shoes and have my hair up, I look like I'm on my way to play ball. Another example? As each year goes by, her purse gets bigger and bigger. I've just begun to be able to function with just a wallet again. She totes kleenex packs, antibacterial lotion, a checkbook and dayplanner, and a book of crossword puzzles, I bring a lighter, a lip balm, and change for coffee.
(Thank God she doesn't know about Joeuser. I just reread this, and it doesn't really read right at all. My sincere apologies to her if she ever finds out, and anyone else who might find this offensive, I don't mean it that way.)
I don't know if I've illustrated the differences enough, or even if they mean anything at all. Maybe I'm sub-consciously worried about making this transition myself, since slowly discovering a new frown line in the mirror this morning, and worrying about how my ankle is going to do during my first outdoor court game of the season. Maybe it is because I don't feel grown-up at all, even though there is a lot in my life to indicate that I have the resposibilities that many other grown-ups have. I'm managing to meet them, but I never seem to feel like I'm doing it right. Instead of just living the life of an adult, I feel like I am flying by the seat of my pants. On the other hand, my sister seems to take all her responsibilities in stride. Like it's easy.
I wish life was.
Peace.