“You look really good for 35.” One of my co-workers said that to me this week. I adore her and I know she meant it as a compliment though it struck me as such an odd thing to say. Exactly what does 35 look like? I turned 35 in March and detailed out 35 things I’ve learned along the way in this lifetime. As I wrote the post, I was continually surprised by how un-35 I felt.
The other day I was brushing my teeth and it happened. One little lone white hair. I immediately ran to Google and found that stray white hairs can happen at any age and one really doesn’t signify anything. I looked a little closer at the mirror. No wrinkles yet. “Good,” I thought. “This oily skin of mine has some upside.” I promptly started to see a dermatologist for the first time in my life to make sure I keep this skin as long as possible. No matter what Google says, that little white hair was a wake-up call. Time is passing by, like it or not. I was surprised by my reaction. Maybe I am not as okay with aging as I thought I was.
And then I saw this Guatemalan proverb on Daily Good’s email. It made me laugh at all my determination to not get older, or at least not to look like I’m getting older. In my heart, I’m still sorting it all out, still experimenting, and still beginning. Now I’m starting to realize that perhaps this sorting is a lifelong process, for the young and the young at heart.
I’m reminded of Sandra Cisnero‘s writing that says we are always all the ages we’ve ever been. We carry that experience, that memory, that outlook with us. Whether or not we have white hair and wrinkles, there’s a part of our heart that is always young. And that is a comfort at any age.
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
View all posts by Christa Avampato
6 thoughts on “Beginning: What It Means to be Young at Heart”
Christa,
The soul is eternal, everlasting, timeless, ageles and there are no wrinkles on it.
I have known people who look old at 15 and others who look very young at 80.
Those who diet and exercise, those who are disciplined in their habits also tend to age slower.
I know this from interacting with both disciplined and undisciplined people.
For a further discussion, please read “Ageless Body, Timeless Mind” by Dr.Deepak Chopra.
Dr.Chopra gives remarkable examples and wonderful explanations for those of us who need his comfort. This message is especially important for women who are concerned about the first signs of ageing.
We carry a lot of cultural baggage about age, don’t we? Since we live in a youth-oriented culture, this is but natural, but it can also be challenged.
I have found older people who can age gracefully and I really admire that quality.
35? You are still a baby in the woods and have a long life ahead of you. Don’t worry about it. You will do just fine.
Have a good one. Cheers to your life, as always. Thanks.
Hi Archan,
This is one book I haven’t read yet by Dr. Chopra. I will have to pick it up. There is something to be said for doing everything with grace, aging included.
I remember seeing alumnae come back to my school and in my mind remarking how “old” they looked, smugly confident that I had a long way to go before I hit their ages. but here I am at 69, and thinking “this doesn’t feel as old as I thought it would” and “I don’t look so bad!” One reason I love Al Roker is that he continually reminds everyone that 40 is the new 60, etc. You are only as old as you allow yourself to feel, living graciously each day as it comes, enjoying every moment – even the hard ones – they hold lessons, reminders and opportunities, and grateful to have another day to accomplish something. Archan Mehta’s message above is precious. Said it all so well.
Christa Avampato 
Christa,
The soul is eternal, everlasting, timeless, ageles and there are no wrinkles on it.
I have known people who look old at 15 and others who look very young at 80.
Those who diet and exercise, those who are disciplined in their habits also tend to age slower.
I know this from interacting with both disciplined and undisciplined people.
For a further discussion, please read “Ageless Body, Timeless Mind” by Dr.Deepak Chopra.
Dr.Chopra gives remarkable examples and wonderful explanations for those of us who need his comfort. This message is especially important for women who are concerned about the first signs of ageing.
We carry a lot of cultural baggage about age, don’t we? Since we live in a youth-oriented culture, this is but natural, but it can also be challenged.
I have found older people who can age gracefully and I really admire that quality.
35? You are still a baby in the woods and have a long life ahead of you. Don’t worry about it. You will do just fine.
Have a good one. Cheers to your life, as always. Thanks.
LikeLike
Hi Archan,
This is one book I haven’t read yet by Dr. Chopra. I will have to pick it up. There is something to be said for doing everything with grace, aging included.
LikeLike
I remember seeing alumnae come back to my school and in my mind remarking how “old” they looked, smugly confident that I had a long way to go before I hit their ages. but here I am at 69, and thinking “this doesn’t feel as old as I thought it would” and “I don’t look so bad!” One reason I love Al Roker is that he continually reminds everyone that 40 is the new 60, etc. You are only as old as you allow yourself to feel, living graciously each day as it comes, enjoying every moment – even the hard ones – they hold lessons, reminders and opportunities, and grateful to have another day to accomplish something. Archan Mehta’s message above is precious. Said it all so well.
LikeLike
So, so true. No age seems to feel as we imagine it. Archan does always have a way of putting things into perspective, doesn’t he?!
LikeLike
That’s why I watch cartoons. I plan to be 10 forever, at least for a few hours a week. So far, so good.
LikeLike
Michael,
Such a good point! I need to add more cartoons to my life, too 🙂
LikeLike