Entering 49 and Feeling Fabulous: A Quirky Journey Through the Gateway to the 50s

Virat Kohli is playing at 49 and another 1 run and it will add another milestone in his half-centuries.  What a Wow and joyful moment isn’t it ?

Today on my birthday, when I got calls from a few of my friends asking about my age and when I said completed 48 and entering 49,  almost everyone’s response was…Awwww with a hidden sigh.  As if something was spent or lost out of my life that is not going to come back.

49 is the same number but with a different emotion in both cases. Quite surprising. Right?  Well, let me give you my eye glasses today and it may not appear different in both cases.

When Kohli reaches 49, each run that he has taken in that spell is adding to his achievement and brings him closer to his milestone.

Similarly, I feel that my 48 years spent, in retrospect has always added something to my being on this planet and adding that extra year to my life span is ideally similar to the runs added in Kohli’s career.

As I stand on the precipice of reaching the grand 5-0, I can't help but feel a mix of emotions- excitement, nostalgia, panic & a sense of satisfaction.

The Quirk Factor: They say age is just a number, but let's be real—it's a number that carries a certain quirkiness when it has a '9' in it. As I enter 49th and can see the 50th just a year away, I can't help but marvel at the cosmic humour of life. The feeling of taking that 49th or 99th run in cricket is intriguing. You are just about there but still not completely there.  The universe is playing tricks on you.

Down the Memory Lane: As the candles flicker on my birthday cake, I find myself navigating the intricate maze of memories. From the bicycle school days of the '80s to the dial-up modem internet struggles of the '90s, From Windows 95 to the iOS 17.2 , from Passion yellow colour Kinetic Honda to a swanky SUV. Each year has its own distinct flavour. It's a nostalgic swirl of leg warmers, mixtapes, and the pungent scent of teenage angst.

The Wisdom of Wrinkles: They say wrinkles are the roadmap of a life well-lived. Well, as I inspect the laughter lines and wisdom creases that adorn my forehead, I can't help but feel a sense of pride. These wrinkles aren't just fine lines; they're the chapters of a gripping novel, each telling a story of resilience, growth, and the occasional questionable fashion choice. The grey strands amongst the black hair speak their own stories.

The Panic Attack Pitstop: Okay, let's be real—there's a momentary panic attack that comes with turning 49. It's the sudden realisation that I'm now officially in the last year of my 40s. But, panic has its perks. It's the catalyst for the ultimate mid-life crisis adventures. I feel like doing things like that I always wanted to do but have not done before and tick off my bucket list as fast as possible.

My dream of entering the foray of writing and publishing my work and continuing on the journey of self-expression is realised last year and that’s just a start off the ticking off in the bucket list.

Amidst the quirks, nostalgia, satisfaction and panic, there's an undeniable sense of fabulousness that comes with entering the 49th chapter. It's the freedom to be unapologetically yourself, to dance like nobody's watching (or like everyone is), and to embrace the wrinkles, greys, quirks, and everything else that comes along.

So here I am, standing on the edge of the grand 5-0, ready to dive headfirst into the adventure that awaits. As I blow out the candles, I can't help but feel grateful for the quirks, memories, and emotions that have shaped this journey. Bring it on, 50s

I'm ready for the fabulousness that awaits!

Cheers.