Is 24 The New 30: Duvae or Stilettos?

Just a couple months ago, my life was moving so fast I could hardly keep up. I had places to go and people to see. If you wanted to be a part of my life you had to make an appointment or be placed on a waiting list. I couldn’t blink with out meeting some new and cute man I was loving life, and life was loving me. I started to feel like my life was a movie and thought about creating a pilot for a reality show. (These days anyone can get a reality show and at least my life was unscripted and naturally entertaining.)

As soon as I hit the big 24, my perspective on life changed. At 23 and 11 months, I was the life of the party and I now find myself choosing my solo bed over going out to the club.

At what age are women suppose to hang up their sexy dresses and stilettos?

These days if I do go out, I’d rather go to a nice lounge so I can talk. Talk. Really. No longer is shaking my ass against complete strangers, sweating out my fresh do, and walking to my car freezing (after doing all of the aforementioned) fun. When I went out a couple of weeks ago I found myself shaking my head at the naked (if you saw what they were wearing you would agree) young [can I call a 21 year old young] girls in the club. You know they type. They wear the most hoeish [video hoe looking] outfits and consider themselves sexy. (I don’t actually think I ever looked that trashy)

Instead I prefer to spend my weekends in snuggled up to my pillow and an novel. Picking up a good book and listening to some neo-soul music is much more appealing than squeezing into a tight fitting dress and putting on shoes that hurt my feet. (damn stilettos!)

Recently, I noticed that I become fatigued faster than normal after a intensive workout at the gym. I know that I am getting older and women don't age as graciously as men. So, I decided long ago that I would win the battle of getting older. I refuse to be one of those women who wonder how they let it get so bad. Plus, working out for me is a joy and not a chore. And seeing the results makes me happy and keeps me going.

I think and talk to my girlfriends about marriage and kids, even though I am no where near emotionally or financially ready. Especially since I have no mate to begin that part of my life. I always thought that the kind of conversations my girlfriends and are currently having should be reserved for a much older woman. A woman in her mid to late 20s. Low and behold I realize that I am an older woman. I embrace it because I am glad to have lived to see this age.

These days, I find stimulating conversation at first meeting with a man more important than a gorgeous body. Who would have thought this would be the case. You couldn't have told the 20 year old me that I would care more about mind stimulation than physical attraction at such a young age. This is not to say that I don't need to be physically attracted to a man to date him. Because if he doesnt have a nice smile, he can keep it pushing. What I am saying is that having a gorgeous outter appearance fades, and I need something more substantial to keep me interested. Today, I will literally call my girlfriends if when I speak to a guy for the first time, I find myself rushing home to look up words he used in a dictionary. So exciting!

The weekend is rolling around again and I can’t wait til I get home from my second job, and get into bed and ick up Obama's Book, 'Audacity of Hope.' I’ve been holding on to if for too long and I want to finish it. Goodness I aged overnight and I love it.