by BethMy daughters recently watched the movie 17 Again. Though I didn't watch it with them, I couldn't stop thinking about the premise (a 37 year old becoming 17 again) and wondering:
Would I like to be 17 again?
To answer this question, I made two lists. The Pros of Being 17 vs The Pros of Being 38. Here we go :-)
The Pros of Being 17
- Faster metabolism. And boy did I take it for granted *g* Back in the day I could eat whatever I wanted and not gain a pound!
- No gray hair. Though I'm not sure the curled under bangs, poof of hair on top and spiral perm was the best look for me.
- No wrinkles
- Little responsibility. No bills to pay (except for my car insurance and gas) no one asking me to take them to cross country/volleyball/basketball practice, didn't have to worry about things like medical insurance or who was going to water the tomatoes.
- Fearless. Was willing to try anything at least once :-)
- I didn't have to get groceries. I love to cook but could live w/o getting groceries *g*
- More time to read, hang out with friends, go to the movies etc.
- Could stay up past 10 pm and not even get tired!
- Had whole life ahead of me.
The Pros of Being 38
- In better shape. I may not be as thin as I was but I'm healthier and in better physical shape *g*
- Better hair style and better fashion sense. My big hair and pleated jeans with tapered legs are long gone, thank God.
- More freedom. I can come and go as I please and best of all, no curfew so no one can ground me for being late :-)
- No high school!
- No teenage angst (except from the two teens and one preteen living here *g*)
- My husband and kids. I didn't know any of them when I was 17 ;-)
- Great friends. I had some good friends when I was a teenager but the friends I have as an adult are the absolute BEST!
- A career I love.
- I STILL have my whole life ahead of me *ggg*
I think I'll stick with the age I'm at. After all, it took me a lot of years to become the woman I am today, I'd hate to take a chance on messing that up just for a faster metabolism ;-)
Would you like to be 17 again? What Pros can you think of for going back to a younger age? What are the Pros of being the age you are now?
59 comments:
Mine?
Hey, Lynz, one chicken coming up!
Beth, what a great post. I haven't seen the film although I intend to. I love those sort of plots - really liked the Jennifer Garner one Thirty Again too. Mind you, that could have been the lovely hero.
Hmm, would I be 17 again? No way, Jose!!!!
Beth I soo hear you, if I could have my 17 yr old body back but with all the wisdom (LOL) I have now. And I would know not to date all those idiots that I did. Self confidence is the thing I like most about 38.
Great post Beth - and I loved your pros and cons. They mirror mine in so many ways!
17? That was a fun time for me - but, OMG the angst! Loved the punk era, loved being able to wear anything because of my 17 year old figure (and metabolism), loved the feeling of being able to conquer the world.
The worst thing about going back there would be having to live through the next 29 years again! OMG the angst! It tires me out just thinking about it LOL.
I love where I am right now (though I could still lose that extra weight). It was a hard road to get here and I learned a lot along the way. I also had a lot of fun in amongst the angst and Ive done a lot of things I can think back on with pleasure. The mistakes ... well, they added to the rich tapestry of life, right?!I've earned my wrinkles and grey hair *g*.
I'm with you, I'll stay where I am.
Congrats Lynz have fun with him
Beth fun post would I like to be
17 again no I was working full time in a bank going out with my now hubby yes we were having lots of fun with out much responsiblity but I wouldn' have my fantastic kids and grandkids I am 70's person and they were fun times flares silver streaked hair yes I loved them but I am happy now with all I have.
Have Fun
Helen
Congrats, Lynz! What do you have planned for our intrepid GR today?
Fo, we just re-watched 13 Going On 30 a few weeks ago! Love it *g*
Going back plots or switching bodies plots (like Freaky Friday) are so much fun! And since I've written this post, I've been chomping at the bit to watch 17 Again. I think I'll see if I can talk my girls into watching it with me this weekend :-)
Self confidence is the thing I like most about 38.
I couldn't agree more, Natalie *g* I've really 'found' myself in my
30s (if that makes sense *g*)
And I'm hoping that once I start using the new Physique 57 DVDs I ordered (the same workout Kelly Ripa talks about on Live with Regis and Kelly) I won't covet my 17 yo body ;-) It is to dream!
It was a hard road to get here and I learned a lot along the way. I also had a lot of fun in amongst the angst and Ive done a lot of things I can think back on with pleasure.
Love this, Anna! This is true for me as well. I've enjoyed every stage of life so far (some more than others *g*). I don't have many regrets because everything I've done (mistakes and all!) have gotten me to this point :-)
But that's not to say when my son goes off to college next year I won't be a bawling mess wanting HIM to be little again *ggg*
Helen, isn't it great to have such fun memories? I bet you looked fab in your silver streaked hair :-)
When my husband and I were first together, I used to dream and plan for our future. Now that our future is here, I'd hate to spend time wishing to go back, ya know? *g*
And I can't even imagine my life w/o my kids or all the nieces and nephews I have now that I didn't have 20 years ago!
Yay Lynz - nice nab job!
Beth - LOL on being 17 again. I started college at 17. I remember the angst and wonder...would I be able to handle living away from home for the first time? Would I fit in with the college crowd? Would I ever meet "the one"?
When I was 17 both of my parents were still alive. I miss them, but I'm not sure I'd want to have a redo. Besides, I think maybe it's harder to be a teenager now than it was then - a lot more pressure, I think.
I haven't seen the film but I do like Zac Efron, so I'm sure I'll watch it eventually.
I have fond memories of being 17, but I would never trade in all of my mileage (as Indiana Jones puts it) for the youth that doesn't know as much as I know now. Knowledge is so much more precious to me.
Just a shout-out to Christine Wells and Anna Campbell - and any other Richard Armitage fans here at Romance Bandits. I've got a birthday retrospective of Richard Armitage over at my place today.
I saw this movie in the theater and liked it much more than expected. And was happy to hear Zac is like 20, so I'm not as pervy as I feared. (What? He looks really good in this movie.)
Anyhoo, the trick of this movie is that he does not go back in time AND he knows everything he knows at 37 while being 17. So no bad hair dos, no bad fashion, and no teen ignorance. With these factors, I'd go back.
But I prefer being a grown up. I don't like being told what to do (not that I listened much when I was 17) and though it's scary, I like being able to pick up and start over anytime I want.
And I never had a good metabolism. *sigh*
Would absolutely never go back to 17 again.
I took my daughter to see this movie earlier this summer. I couldn't figure out why the mother didn't recognize the kid as her husband, even though there were a couple of vague references to him looking familiar.
BIG with Tom Hanks is so much better.
I would totally go back to 17 again - then I could redo college etc :P
Although I think it'd be really helpful if I got to keep all the experience/stuff I've learned.
As for now... :P Other than all that schooling, I feel like I'm 17 again. (Other than then, I knew exactly what my 7 year plan was. Or 10)
Beth I think the key is to be 17 and still know what I know now. If I could keep the knowledge and go back I might be tempted. To be 17 and still as dumb as dirt, absolutely not.
Not having enjoyed much of my teen years, I'm happy where I am now. It's time for 'me', and not in that selfish adolescent way. Kids are grown, out of the house, my time is mine, and I'm old enough so people can write me off as 'that cranky old broad' when I speak my mind.
Yay, Lynz, congratulations, got anything special planned for the rooster today?
Great post, Beth. It's fun to think about trading the place you are in life with a previous time.
No way would I want to be 17 again! Yuck, I'd graduated from high school and was working for the government on an army base in Virginia. Although, yes, I'd LOVE to have the metabolism back then when I was worried about being too skinny (more rounded figures were in).
Wow, Julia, thanks for that tribute to Richard Armitage. I came late to worship at the altar of Armitage *g* when I caught him in the Robin Hood BBC series. Yes, I know, terrible of me.
It was great to look at the body of his work . . . er, his body, er, his beautiful face. Okay, I'll quite while I'm ahead.
I thought Big was good too, Karen.
I also liked Peggy Sue Got Married. That one is different in that the adult Peggy Sue goes back to when she was a teenager, but her mind is still her adult self.
And I LOVE Back to the Future.
Hmmm. Maybe I'm more a fan of time travel than age swapping.
Lynz! The two of you have become quite an item. People will talk!
Seventeen again, Beth? No way! Well I would LOVE to have that 17 year old body and metabolism, but other than that, no thank you.
It has taken me a long time and a lot of hard knocks to get where I am today. I have sort of come full circle back to my first love - writing. And I have a sneaky suspicion my writing would be very different had I not gone through the ups and downs, gains and terrible losses I have weathered.
My Dad used to say "Character is what you get when you don't get what you want."
So, I may not have much, but I think I have a certain character. :)
Besides, I think maybe it's harder to be a teenager now than it was then - a lot more pressure, I think.
That's an interesting thought, Donna. I do wonder if my teens have more pressure than I did 20 years ago but honestly, I don't see where they do. But that could be due to the area I live in.
I think the worst part about being a teen today would be missing out on the experience of MTV the way it started out. Playing videos :-)
Knowledge is so much more precious to me.
That's a great point, Julia! And my youngest daughter and I just watched Raiders of the Lost Ark since she hadn't seen it yet. I think she may be another Indy fan *g*
Terri, to me, one of the great things about being a grown up is not having one tell me what to do. Guess I don't like it much either *g* As a matter of fact, I often tell my own 17 yo that someday he can do what he wants. Just not now :-)
I think I'm going to like the movie, especially since it doesn't go back in time. Sounds as if it's not a true chance for a do-over such as Peggy Sue Got Married but a chance to see things from a different persepective, like Freaky Friday *g*
Karen, Big was such a great movie, wasn't it? I'm going to have to put it in my Netflix queue. I think my daughters will really like it :-)
Lime, I think holding onto the wisdom/experience we've all gained over the years would be a big deciding factor on if we wanted to go back to a certain age.
I still don't think I would, though *g*
Beth I think the key is to be 17 and still know what I know now.
Definitely! Imagine how different our teen years would've been if only we'd known then what we know now *g* I suppose there's a good reason for having us earn all that wisdom, though :-)
LOL, Terry! Those are great Pros for being your age *g*
Now that my kids are teens, I have to admit it's nice knowing my husband and I can go out w/o trying to find a sitter. And I get a lot more writing done now that they're all busy with their own activities.
Of course, GETTING them to those activities is a pain, but luckily the first day of school is only a few days away ;-)
Although, yes, I'd LOVE to have the metabolism back then when I was worried about being too skinny
LOL! Jo, isn't it funny how we had certain body issues as teens? I wasted so much time worrying about the size of my butt/hips/thighs as a teen, I didn't appreciate what I had *g* I won't make that mistake again!
Hmmm. Maybe I'm more a fan of time travel than age swapping.
I like them both, I think. Back To The Future is still one of my all time faves and I loved Peggy Sue Got Married.
And it's such fun to imagine being a kid stuck in an adult body such as Big or 13 Going On 30 - a great way to prove they're not as grown up as they think and/or they shouldn't be in such a hurry to grow up ;-)
My Dad used to say "Character is what you get when you don't get what you want."
Louisa, I love this! Your dad was obviously a very wise man *g*
I guess that means every time I tell one of my kids NO, I'm helping them build character. I'm sure they don't appreciate it now but hopefully they will someday :-)
Congrats Lynz! :D
I'd love to have that faster metabolism again right about now! I tried on a dress yesterday that I intended to wear to my cousin's wedding...looks like it's lose some weight or suck in my tummy for a whole day...
One question, if I became 17 again, would I be allowed to change anything or would that cause some sort of temporal paradox? :D I wouldn't like to be 17 and angsty again but there are 2 or 3 things I wouldn't mind doing differently.
Thanks for all the birthday wishes yesterday, guys! I meant to pop in again in the evening but my mum had me set up the comp so she could rewatch episodes of The Bachelorette. You don't get in 'tween my mum and The Bachelorette. :D
Nancy - LXG was a comic before it was a movie.
No way would I want to be 17 again. I sometimes think I would like to be 27 or even 37 again and lose the pounds, wrinkles, gray hairs, and aching joints. But really I would not want to lose the wisdom the years have brought or live again the difficult choices, losses and heartbreaks that bestowed the wisdom.
Congrats Lynz on nabbing that rooster!
I am not sure I would want to be 17 again, but maybe 21 would be great and know what I know now! I think things sure would have been different but who knows.
I am real sure I don't want to go back to my teen age years.
I'd like to LOOK like I did at 17 but wouldn't want to BE 17 again, no matter that it was a fabulous year.
I scanned this picture from my high school yearbook and posted it on Facebook a week or two ago. It was taken when I was 17, and it got me thinking about this exact question. I realized that I'm having more fun than I was then, and I I had a ball that year.
Here's the picture (clearly, no one would recognize me at a high school reunion): http://tiny.cc/vc9xv
Wouldn't go back to 17 if you paid me a zillion dollars. I don't feel like I really started to become the person I was meant to be until I was 19 and went away to college. I'm working on the fitter, more healthy thing, but I'd rather be my current 39 than 17. But ask me again next year when I turn 40. Ugh.
Oh, I liked 13 Going On 30 too.
Though I don't want to BE a teenager again, I love movies/TV shows/books about teens. Guess that's why I write YA -- and so I can make things turn out the way they should. :)
Ooh, Julia, loved the Richard Armitage tribute! Thanks for letting us know it was there!
LOL! Yes, once upon a time MTV actually played videos. I remember when they debuted the Thriller video. It was a HUGE deal.
I'll take the 17 yo bod in a heartbeat, and maybe the attitude (OMG I was Soooooooo sure of myself then!!!) but the rest? Oh no, I'll stick with age, thankyouverymuch. My kids, my husband (well, I knew him then, but it wasn't the same. Now that I think about it tho -he was pretty hot at 17. Can he be 17 and I stay this age?) My career, my friends, all are much much better, more satisfying and happy now.
One question, if I became 17 again, would I be allowed to change anything or would that cause some sort of temporal paradox? :D
LOL! That's a great question. I get enough teenage angst from own kids so I definitely wouldn't want to repeat my own *g*
Let's hope if we could go back to a certain age, we could bring our maturity with us!
Janga, I possibly could be persuaded to go back to an earlier age, maybe my mid-twenties since I was so busy with my kids those years sort of flew by. But I'm too happy with where I'm at now so I guess I'll just remain 38 ;-)
Virginia, 21 is a good age! I wonder what I would've done differently? Then again, if I changed too many things, I'd never end up where I am now :-)
I realized that I'm having more fun than I was then, and I I had a ball that year.
LOL, Becke! Good for you! I couldn't get the link to work though and I'd love to see your picture :-)
Trish, I didn't start to come into my own until my late 20s so you were way ahead of me there *g*
I, too, love YA books, movies and TV shows! Guess that means we're young at heart ;-)
LOL! Yes, once upon a time MTV actually played videos. I remember when they debuted the Thriller video. It was a HUGE deal.
I remember when we FINALLY got MTV. Before that the only time we got to watch videos was on Friday Night Videos *g*
Now that I think about it tho -he was pretty hot at 17. Can he be 17 and I stay this age?)
ROFL! Well, he's still pretty hot ;-) But I'm not sure him being 17 would be a good idea. I think there are laws against that :-)
GREAT POST, Beth!
Like everyone else, I'll take the 17 year old bod and metabolism, but I want the 50+ years of knowledge and experience! I'd do soooo many things differently... not that I regret a lot, I'd just like to see what difference it would REALLY make. :-P I'm thinking not a lot.
AC
We never got cable because we lived out in the country, so Friday Night Videos was it for me. Only saw MTV at my best friend's house since she lived in town and had cable.
ROFL! Well, he's still pretty hot ;-) But I'm not sure him being 17 would be a good idea. I think there are laws against that :-)
Noooo, he was REALLY REALLY hot. I mean, break the law hot. Seriously.
Awesome topic, Beth, and it's been really fun reading everyone's responses. But that's not what I'm here about now.
I'm here to deliver a warning: the GR's driver's license is FAKE! No matter what he says, do not let him drive! Ever! I swear, while you guys were all here discussing the page, I was ageing by at least ten years! And my insurance premiums will have gone up substantially once they get the bills from today's accidents... though looking on the bright side, neither of my arms got broken, so I can still type. But it was a close call there.
No matter how tempted you are to let him act as chauffer so you can take a nap, don't give in! It's just not worth it!
I'd just like to see what difference it would REALLY make. :-P I'm thinking not a lot.
LOL, AC. I'd like to see if and what it would change before I committed to going back :-)
Noooo, he was REALLY REALLY hot. I mean, break the law hot. Seriously.
But I don't want you to go to jail! It was bad enough when you were moving :-( Which is why I made you promise to never move again.
No matter how tempted you are to let him act as chauffer so you can take a nap, don't give in! It's just not worth it!
ROFL, Lynz! You really can't take the GR at his word. He is a master spy, after all ;-)
Although, after letting my 17 yo drive me around, I'm not afraid of riding around with a rooster *g*
No WAY would I go back to 17! I wasn't very happy in high school, wouldn't like to live at home again or deal with my angst and uncertainty, and I don't even prefer my 17 year old body. Admittedly I am still pretty young (27) but...to be totally shallow, I went up a couple bra sizes in my early twenties and I was very happy about it!
I changed my profile picture (briefly) so you can see the picture I mean -- if it shows up.
Amazingly I was slimmer then--with great legs--and now, not so much. But I have better boobs now, so it's a tradeoff. *LOL*
And absolutely not would I go back to being a teenager. My God, I barely survived hell the first time.
What's that line from that famous writer? She said something akin that writers didn't have to suffer to produce good writing because their adolescence was enough suffering to produce sufficient reams of writing for the whole of their life? THAT I could totally agree with.
OMG Becke!
What an adorable mini-dressed Mod you were, m'dear!
I had the same long straight locks, a la Cher. No one would ever recognize me either. :-P
AC
There's absolutely no way I would want to be 17 again! That would
place me in high school again,
which is not where I want to be!
I've had too much fun getting to
where I am now!
Pat Cochran
Post a Comment