Where did all the cool kids go?

It’s funny how our hobbies, priorities, likes and dislikes change as we get older.

At the beginning of this year I turned 30 and since then I’ve changed a lot of things in my life.

I’m eating better, I’ve lost weight and I’m running a lot. I’ve even entered a half marathon in October.

When you’re young, you take a lot of things for granted. Friends, family, money etc.

Your parents probably embarrass you and you try your best not to be seen in public with them.

Hobbies when you’re young usually consist of listening to music, hanging out with your friends and going to clubs, pubs and bars.

If you had a hobby that wasn’t considered ‘cool’ you would never tell your mates. You’d just keep it to yourself.

However, the older you get, the more this changes. You care less about what other people think and focus more on the things that you enjoy. The things that make you happy.

I’ve recently started a new job, which is a pretty scary thing in itself. Having to meet new people, all of which are younger than me, is pretty nerve-wracking, but in talking to some of them, it’s made me realise that I actually love being 30 years old. It’s a pretty cool age.

I was talking to one colleague who expressed his love of walking. He told me how he’d be out of the door at 7am with his dogs, and wouldn’t return home until 1pm.

He just loved being outdoors, walking.

This is something I can relate to a lot.

I’d much rather walk somewhere than take the car, plus now that I’ve found a love for running, I absolutely love being outdoors.

I could spend an entire evening researching new routes to run, but could you imagine telling your mates when you were young that you love walking and could spend almost an entire day doing so?

Of course running is just one of my hobbies. I also enjoy sewing and reading, but these things are probably considered ‘uncool’ to youngsters!

Reflecting on my younger years, I don’t think I ever would have imagined that I’d be the kind of person that runs three times a week, likes to sew and sit in the garden with a good book.

How things have changed. I think I’m still pretty cool though!