In my twenties, I reveled in the wild nights out, leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of fun. I was the queen of late-night escapades, living life without a care. I thought those carefree days would last forever, but the reality is I’ve entered my thirties, where my primary focus is on nurturing two little ones. Is this really the phase where I’m meant to settle down?
For the most part, I genuinely relish the slower pace of life, embracing the wholesome joys of family life. But, like an old flame that refuses to die, that playful party girl within me sometimes resurfaces, yearning for the excitement of yesteryears. I attempt to tuck her away in the back of my mind, yet occasionally, I long to swap my comfy yoga pants for a dazzling outfit and hit the dance floor, feeling the rhythm take over.
This alter ego is typically easy to keep in check, as I know she’s not exactly welcome at playdates or morning coffee chats. After some reflection, I’ve realized that I’m not alone in battling this urge to reignite that inner firecracker. It seems this is a shared secret among many moms, but few discuss it openly unless prompted.
Be cautious when you decide to unleash that suppressed party spirit. If you’ve kept it at bay for too long, the pent-up energy can explode, making it difficult to regain control.
Imagine a perfect night when the stars align, and your thirty-something self gets to relive the revelry of the past. After a few drinks, you might feel like you’ve been whisked back to your carefree twenties. (Can you believe it’s been over 16 years since 1999?) Warning! You’re not that same person anymore!
Your previous self might have stumbled off the dance floor in the early morning hours, craving greasy food and indulging in a hefty midnight snack without a second thought. You’d return home, crash into bed, and wake up when your body decided it was ready—no responsibilities to rush you.
So how did we maintain that lifestyle for so long?
Let me paint a picture of the new you: You’ll dance like no one’s watching, but your body will remind you that your tolerance has diminished. You’ll have an unforgettable time because nights out have become rare treasures. Yet, even amidst the buzz of excitement, you’ll be aware that late-night snacking is a one-way ticket to the mommy muffin top you’re trying to avoid.
Once you kick off your heels, relief will wash over your aching feet, which feel as if they’ve been through a medieval torture device. You’ll fall asleep only to be jolted awake by tiny fingers prodding your nose, asking for breakfast, accompanied by enthusiastic little feet bouncing on your bed. That’s the extent of your sleep for the night.
As you drag yourself out of bed, you might wonder if something perished in your mouth while you were sleeping. You’ll feel like you’ve aged a decade overnight, yet there’s no time to rest since you’ve got a toddler birthday party or a swimming lesson to attend. You’ll swear off this kind of night again—who needs this chaos?
Unlike the past when you’d recover from a hangover in a few hours, you now find it takes a couple of days to return to normal. At what point did we start having two-day hangovers? Why are our bodies betraying us? Aging feels like a cruel prank your body plays on your spirit—just when you think you’ve captured a glimpse of your youthful self, your body reminds you that those days are behind you.
So, here’s the reality: that party girl has moved on. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I think it’s time for a nap.
For more insights on the journey of parenthood and the struggles we face, check out our other post on home insemination, where we explore fertility topics. You can also find valuable resources regarding pregnancy and home insemination at NHS and for fertility solutions visit Make A Mom.