Five things you're not too old for

AS A self-confessed "age junkie", I must admit my all too enthusiastic readiness to announce how over-the-hill I am, as a way to auto-void any expected participation in unwarranted activities ushered my way. Invitations to costume parties or crowded places or late nights out for example, are easily rebuffed by a simple statement: I'm much too old for this.

I am, at 30, merely at the onset of ageing of course, and am therefore frequently met with an exasperated reply reminding me that I am most certainly not too old for whatever it is I claim to be too old for.

I can't quite explain it. It's not as if I relish the thought of being old, yet I find myself surrendering to its effects all too easily. So to counteract last week's list and encourage similarly suffering age junkies to find the youth within themselves, here is a list of five things you are not too old for.

1. Movies for kids

Adults seen in the queue for the latest kid flick tend to only be there to accompany their children, not for their own entertainment. But although the wild, wacky and colourful characters in the world of animation may have you thinking that their brand of whimsy caters exclusively for children, often times, there is also a strong underlying message carrying hope and inspiration that serves as a profound lesson for both children and adults. Toy Story was never just a tale of toys that come to life; it was a story about loyalty and friendship. And Finding Nemo wasn't just about a clownfish that got estranged from its father; it was also a reminder that you don't give up on family. There's a wealth of simple, but fundamental life lessons in movies for children, so feel free to indulge in them in your own time.

2. Imagination

For many of us living through years of the same routine, day in and day out, it's easy to slip into a rut. We forget how big the world is outside our own personal realm and allow ourselves to get bored with our lives. To be frank, we can't all go traipsing around the globe looking for an adventure (and if we're really honest, at this age, how many of us would genuinely want that?). What could shake us out of our docile state however, is a re-activation of our imagination. As children, our imagination knows no boundaries it's a world where cardboard boxes are makeshift forts and Barbie could be President. So why not use our imagination to make the mundane tasks in life seem more exciting? Whatever tickles your fancy, there's no harm in a little daydreaming.

3. Trying new things

Old people are so set in their ways, aren't they? So certain are they of what they like and don't like and what they can and cannot do, that there's no room to be open to new experiences. I confess my own sympathies forming this way, by example of declining beans when I tried burritos for the first time last week, despite the fact that beans are a main component of the burrito. I don't like beans. Ergo, I knew that having beans in my burrito would ruin my first burrito experience. However, I did take a bite of my companion's burrito that had beans, and it turns out it was okay. I didn't hate it. It may not have convinced me to start liking beans, but at least I now know that if I was ever in a situation where I had to have beans, I could tolerate it in a burrito. Moral of the story: there are too many variables in life and we can never be sure of anything until we try it.

4. Optimism

This one is slightly different because no one ever actually thinks to themselves: "I'm too old to be optimistic". We don't choose to forgo optimism, we lose it. The cold, harsh reality of failures in life can knock our confidence back a few notches, burdening us with a growing weariness and cynicism. Each fall robs us of a little bit of courage for the next climb, leaving us a little scared to hope. Unfortunately, pessimism can be self-perpetuating and is of benefit to no one. What is useful however, is a big dose of positivity. I had tremendous chutzpah in my younger days that I wish I still had. It's glorious to feel so empowered to be able to take anything on, and it's a feeling that, as we grow older, we should strive to keep alive.

5. Theme parks

Because we can never be too old for fun. I think. Ask me again in ten years. The Brunei Times