Getting Older

Feb 25, 2012

I finished My Life In France, which was truly delightful through to the end. My strong recommendation remains, and I continue to reflect on it. Among other things, I’m curious why it’s had such an effect on me.

I think a large part of it is that I’m getting old enough that I can feel my options slipping away. There’s an amusing David Mitchell’s Soapbox episode that addresses this effect (a great show, you should watch it). I’m still young enough that very little is actually foreclosed at this point, but I’m getting old enough that I can see the forks in the road approaching.

On the other hand, I’ve been feeling like a true adult recently. I’m handling my increasing responsibilities at work reasonably well, then leaving them at work and spending my free time productively, whether that be relearning German, discussing politics or philosophy with Pat, or reading. I’m eliminating wasteful tasks and replacing them with things I simultaneously enjoy more and feel better about doing. And, in general, I feel good about who I am. (Apropos)