You could be like my grandmother. No one knows what her real birthday is or her real age is. And she dyes her hair, so she is 80-ish (I think?) with jet black hair. She's awesome. Take that option. Just don't accept another birthday.

(although, 40 is really not so bad...and the jet black hair at 80 thing is kind of weird...)

and my grandma- in her 70's- turned up to a family dinner in a mini skirt and heels. AWESOME.

you're only as old as you feel. and i've felt about 53 for several years now...

My mom was 36 for at least 16 years. She had me at 32, so that whole turning 36 every year confused me for a very long time. She's turning 60 this year, and I just don't see it.

I always wondered what the alternative to having a birthday was. It never occurred to me til now. Thanks. Now I'll want to smack someone next time I hear that.

You're right, not a choice at all!

My mom's holding steady at 27. :) (she's 48). I think once you decide, it's totally acceptable to say you're staying at one age and not moving up. The only issue is when you're walking in Walmart behind a mom who dresses and acts like she's 16 again.

The funny thing to watch is my Grandmother. She's 80. Once we went to the hospital for something and she was jealous of the whiteness of the receptionists hair. My other Grandma uses her age (67?) as an excuse to dye her hair black and admit to everyone that she doesn't wear underwear under her pants. Moral of my story is there isn't one, except you're not "even close to being old" as my grandma would put it. So I think you're good!!

Numbers are all so negative and depressing these days...

my age
my weight
my cholesterol (probably)
my kids' fights
the days my husband is away at a conference

So, I am just going to pretend that there are no such numbers and be blissfully happy and (ignorant too).

Yes and can you please change my weight, too?

The 3rd choice is easy! Lie! ;)

Miriam - And you turned out okay, right?

SUT - upsetting, isn't it?

AubreyMo - Yes, dressing age appropriate is something I try to be aware of. I want to look younger, not foolish.

Amy - I hadn't thought of it that way. Yes - the numbers are conspiring against us!

LJ - Poof! Done.

tammy - I am leaning toward that option more and more every day.

I like that "continuing to mature in wisdom and life experience" bit...but I would have to start doing that in order to continue! No one seems to have a good lead for you to follow!

Sure, I turned out ok. And I even figured out that women don't randomly stop getting older every year at 36. I think she stopped was when her 5'7" 20 year old came home from college and went to visit her at work one day. Her coworkers started making comments about how hard it must have been to be a teen mother.

I turn 40 this year too (the day before you do), and I am trying to act like it doesn't bother me. But it does-I hate it. People sometimes say-"wow, you don't look 40" ....hmmm, is that really a compliment?

I long for another option too. I also cannot stand that little quip, "it's better than the alternative". Newsflash: The fact that I am not excited about all the un-appealing things that come with aging does not mean I wish to stop living. I just wish to live at the age of a 30 something. I kind of like the 30's. I have a much easier time appreciating things that really matter and letting go of those that don't. My 20's were more challenging that way. I was still trying to figure things out. I was far more high strung. I worried so much more. Is it too much to ask to just stay here for say another decade? By then, I could probably handle being 40.