The wonder years

How time flies. Nearly a decade ago,I wrote a piece on the 30s being the new 20s. The gist of it was simple: I didnt want to be a 20-year-old anymore as 30 allowed me to have all the fun I wanted with all the wisdom of hindsight.

How time flies. Nearly a decade ago,I wrote a piece on the 30s being the new 20s. The gist of it was simple: I didnt want to be a 20-year-old anymore as 30 allowed me to have all the fun I wanted with all the wisdom of hindsight. Not a terribly original idea but it consoled me on my 32nd birthday,tremendously. In fact,the idea looked better and better with every glass of champagne that I downed. And by the time I was 35,I genuinely sneered at 20-somethings and their ignorance and immaturity. I was having the best time of my life and age was just a number.

Something tells me that perhaps I lacked foresight. You dont need to announce/ feel/ insist that you are having the best time of your life it should just be. A decade shift will not make you happier,thinner,wiser. You have to do all of those things for yourself. And I suspect that is the lesson I will learn at 40.

My friends whore already there tell me they feel as if 40 is a magical number that has set them free. They no longer have anything to prove. Neither do they feel the pressure to behave in an age-appropriate manner.

Because they already are. Being a typical Capricornian I think I will fit right in.

Specially now. Unlike my 20s when my life was characterised by impulse and recklessness,today I know my limits. Largely because I have defined them myself. Now,I like

paying my bills on time and dont feel the need to run through my salary at the beginning of the month. Sure,I wont have perfect unlined skin but the truth is: I never did. Not even when I was a baby. So,even better than making peace with yourself I think the 40s teach you to accept who you are.

This fabulous new decade also gives off this great vibe of being old enough to know better while being young enough to ignore that advice. Simply because your 30s are still determined by misplaced guilt. By the time you are 40,you make all the rules. All you have to do is appropriate the when I was your age line and patronisingly put everyone you know in their place.

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You just have to promise yourself that you wont turn into one of those women who fight age every step of the way. Botox,plastic surgery and diet-starved bodies are not attractive on a good day. They look much worse on a four-decade-old body.

But age is just a number. Which is why I am smiling and enjoying the crows feet near my eyes. I have worked really hard to get the lines on my face. The lines on my cheek are my tales of joy. Some of the lines on my

forehead are of sorrow. Why would I erase my life when I have enjoyed every step of the journey? I think I will just hold on to them for the next decade. For now,I have to go and seize the moment.

The columnist is Editor-In-Chief,ELLE

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The wonder years

How time flies. Nearly a decade ago,I wrote a piece on the 30s being the new 20s. The gist of it was simple: I didnt want to be a 20-year-old anymore as 30 allowed me to have all the fun I wanted  with all the wisdom of hindsight.

How time flies. Nearly a decade ago,I wrote a piece on the 30s being the new 20s. The gist of it was simple: I didnt want to be a 20-year-old anymore as 30 allowed me to have all the fun I wanted with all the wisdom of hindsight.