Every decade past age 10 has had its good times.
16–17 – I was fit, I was doing more things independently (limited compared to most people my age, but for me even small amounts of autonomy was a lifeline) and making my own money.
21–27 – Graduating college, moving to the big city, getting my bones in the industry I wanted to be in and – the Whirlwind Romance. Sure, it crashed to the ground and shattered by the time I was 29, but wow. I’d never had anyone I cared about claim to love me before (even if in the end it was really just infatuation on the young man’s part). It would’ve been a nicer feeling while it lasted had I trusted and allowed it to be.
35–37 – Starting improv and sketch writing classes was very good for me. Getting the sack from the awful office job I had felt like a huge burden had been lifted from my shoulders. Never again will I work so hard for such little money and for no recognition of my efforts and accomplishments, no matter what I end up doing, nor will I use my job as the basis of my identity.
I think this is going to be a good year too. @jmah, I will be 40 in 2 months, but I pass for “You just graduated college, right, so you’re, like, 22–23, right?” “Sure, OK. Why not?” At 20 you have the face nature gave you, and at 40 you have the face you’ve earned or something like that. I totes lucked out, yo. :D