Cynthia: Happy Birthday, Hello Kitty!
Cynthia: Hello Kitty turns 40 this year and Marcy and I would like to tell her not to worry! Forty really is as fabulous as they say!
Marcy: I’m nine.
Cynthia: Yes, but in cat years, that’s forty-five.
Marcy: Fine. Here are seven reasons why being over forty is freaking fantastic.
Cynthia: At least from my experience.
1. People listen to what I have to say.
Not being taken seriously was always something that bothered me when I was in my twenties and early thirties. Now that I’ve got some life experience I notice that my advice is asked for. A lot even. And I love it. I feel smart and capable and interesting. Something I never felt in my twenties.
2. I don’t feel as vulnerable.
I know many women feel insignificant as they age and aren’t getting noticed as much by men. While it’s true that the male gaze no longer lingers on me but rather goes directly to whatever young Hollywood hottie happens to be nearest, I find this to be a relief. A big relief. I could never control those gazes anyway so they felt dangerous. And at the very least, uncomfortable.
3. I don’t care what other people think of me.
I realize that this one is cliche, but it really is true. I do not care. I will be myself and if other people don’t like it – Who. Cares. This has been a revelation of self confidence. Especially as a former people pleaser.
4. Nobody asks me to help them move anymore.
Yup. Adults hire movers.
5. Nobody asks to crash on my couch anymore.
Yup. Adults stay in hotels.
6. I no longer have to pretend to like rap music.
Yay. I can fully disclose that I love Duran Duran, the Bee Gees, and 70’s disco music, and if anyone snickers… well… see reason #3… yup… I do not care.
7. I am not self conscious about my body anymore.
Wanna see my boobs and stretch marks? Sure! I don’t care. It’s just a body and I’m not uncomfortable with it anymore – or what “society” has to say about it. They’re not looking at it anymore anyway.
Marcy: So you’re suggesting Hello Kitty turn into a selfish, know-it-all, dorky music loving… streaker?
Cynthia: Okay so I think you missed my point entirely. But… yes.
Marcy raises her Friskies can. Cynthia raises her martini glass.
Marcy and Cynthia: Happy 40th Birthday, Hello Kitty!
Marcy and Cynthia: Cheers to the cute kitty with staying power. See you in another 40 when we talk about how great it is to be an octogenarian!
19 Comments
Is it OK if my male gaze lingers on you? 🙂
yes but only you
xo,cynthia
Awwww.
Double awwww!
Happy Birthday Hello Kitty! Cynthia, I love all of the things you listed. I am still struggling with some of them. Three more years and I hope to have your awesome zen. You still look like you are in your twenties. And Marcy, you don't look a day older than eight. Can I have your pretty skin, too (Cynthia, not Marcy. Sorry Marcy, I think your skin would be too itchy)? This is one of the best things I have read lately!
Jenni
you don't want a a pretty white and black fur coat to keep you warm in this 100 degree heat?
meow, marcy
thank youuuuuu, Jenni!
xo,cynthia
Wow! I didn't realize I pre-dated Hello Kitty! That is good advice Cindy. Although Marcy doesn't look too happy to be in that pic with you. Maybe she wanted to wear the hat 🙂
i hate having my photo taken and that hat is stupid. it should be a marcy hat
meow,marcy
Marcy, are you OK? It looks as if Cynthia has you in a choke-hold and you're loosing consciousness. She is grinning in an evil way. Don't be fooled by the party hat. This enhanced self-confidence does not bode well for you, Marcy. She is obviously very youthful, strong, fit and willful. Beware!
Ha. I thought it looked like I was trying to choke her too but my second opinion person said not to worry about it. I don't know why she won't ever pose with me. If she's not careful, Penelope is going to take over the blog. Penelope thinks she's a super model.
xo,cynthia
DUDE, you are over four-oh? Seriously? Well, hand on my heart, I couldn't tell. Love your attitude about ageing, too. And as for Hello Kitty, have you seen the woman who designed her? Talk about not ageing gracefully, she is terrifying – Victor and I randomly watched a program about Hello Kitty on NHK World, about how she was first created and so on, and this lady is sort of the Hello Kitty boss… controversial designs (like one where Hello Kitty got a Kiss makeover and was given an tongue like Gene Simmons' tongue – I swear I'm not making this up) have to be shown to her. She's in her 60 and dresses entirely in Gothic Lolita style, complete with a little hat perched on her head and her hair dyed bright orange – and give you a vibe that she is not to be messed with! We learned that Hello Kitty sells licenses to use the character to clothing and toy chains – a bit like that thing you uncovered a while ago, about how Anthro and Modcloth buy licenses to make different styles of clothes. Anyway, love the party hat! It reminds me of a wizard hat… 🙂
Thanks, Gwen! It's all in the lighting and head angles.
I am going to have to check out the program on the creator of Hello Kitty. That sounds fascinating. I don't know about where you live but across the pond here Hello Kitty is everywhere and on everything. It's a little much. The brand completely sold out. Still love her though. I remember buying Hello Kitty notepads for school when I was a kid.
xo,cynthia
I'm with Gwen, I seriously thought you were in your late 20s – bravo to you for looking fab and feeling fab!
I commend your confidence – as I get older, I can't help questioning myself a bit more, like am I too old to wear this? or should I be reading YA novels all the time, etc.? One day I hope to not care either!
Ha. Well, like I said to Gwen – it's all in the lighting and head angles. Seriously.
I started questioning whether certain clothing was appropriate when I hit 35 or so. It is interesting how some clothing just feels too youthful all of a sudden. The latest for me are fit and flare dresses. I love them but sometimes when I put one on lately and it is just a tad short I feel like an old woman playing little girl.I never thought that would happen. As far as YA novels go – I don't think you can ever be too old to read them. Never ever ever too old!
xo,cynthia
You and Marcy look great in these pictures and I love the Birthday theme.
I agree with a lot of what you said about being forty but there are still things I need to work on, like the idea of "keeping up with the Jones." Facebook is just awful when it comes to that. It's a bad habit to compare oneself to others.
Have fun celebrating Hello Kitty,
Stacey
Facebook can be tricky. On the one hand I love it because I get to keep in touch with all of my old friends from high school but I dislike the me me me aspect of it with some people. Mostly, I just "hide" those people who treat it as if it is their own personal People magazine.
xo,cynthia
Cynthia – this post is awesome! Maybe one of my favorites ever. It just made me smile. I love your fresh perspective and your appreciation of little things that really are the big things. I like that you take pride in the wisdom and experience 40 years of life has given you and that it's not about getting "old" but about getting happier, and more comfortable, and more appreciative of life. The party hat photos are freaking adorable, by the way. As are you. I think I've found in you another person who loves a bit of whimsy and fun in life, and if 40 is all about embracing that, then I look forward to 40! Cheers to you and Hello Kitty!
<3 Liz
http://www.withwonderandwhimsy.com
Liz! Thank you so much! I do love whimsy and fun and especially being goofy. I love your blog so much because you embrace that part of life with your whole heart! And I do believe that that will only increase as you get older.
xo,cynthia
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