Still Having Firsts: Rediscovering Joy, Relevance, and the Rhythm of Living Life at Any Age
- Angie Sandow
- Oct 7
- 4 min read
The other night, I went to my very first Dwight Yoakam concert.
At 68, Dwight swayed those famous hips across the stage like time hadn’t touched him. And there I was—62 years old—jumping, screaming, and grinning ear to ear. It wasn’t just about the music. It was about something much deeper.
That moment reminded me of a truth we all seem to forget as we get older: We’re never too old for “firsts.”
Remember When Life Was Full of Firsts?
When we were kids, everything was about what was ahead. Our entire lives stretched out in front of us like an open highway—full of adventure, unknowns, and possibilities.
We were always dreaming: What do I want to be when I grow up ? Where will I go? Who will I become?
There were so many “firsts” that gave us butterflies:
First day of school.
First kiss.
First concert.
First time driving.
First serious relationship.
First time being home alone (and loving the independence).
Everything was new. Every step felt exciting. Life felt like it was happening to us.
Then Life Changes
Somewhere along the way, the “firsts” became fewer, and the responsibilities piled higher. Suddenly, it was about first bills, first mortgage payments, first sleepless nights worrying about work or family.
Freedom took a back seat to responsibility.
Before we knew it, we looked in the mirror and wondered, Where did the time go?
The entertainers who once soundtracked our lives started disappearing from the spotlight—or from this world entirely. We stopped recognizing names in the news. We started watching sports instead of playing them. And sometimes, we caught ourselves feeling... invisible.
It’s as if the world stopped seeing us as relevant the minute our hair started to grey.
But Here’s the Truth: We Are Still Here Living Life
We may not be familiar with every new trend or slang term. We might not binge-watch the latest shows or dance on TikTok (though some of us do!). But that doesn’t make us irrelevant.
We’re living proof of resilience, wisdom, and survival. We’ve raised families, built careers, faced loss, and found strength in ways our younger selves couldn’t have imagined.
We’ve done hard things. We’ve learned that peace often replaces excitement—and that’s okay . But we’ve also learned that joy doesn’t disappear with age—it just changes shape.
And sometimes, joy looks like rediscovering a “first.”
My First Dwight Yoakam Concert
That night was full of firsts.
My first Dwight concert. My first time screaming and cheering like I was 18 again (and I’ve got the sore throat to prove it). My first reminder in a long time that age doesn’t dull excitement—unless we let it.
And yes, despite riding my motorcycle all the way to Cincinnati, OH, I somehow made room for a cowboy hat and boots. Priorities, right? Because come on—it was DWIGHT YOAKAM! You don’t roll into a Dwight show without proper swagger.
Dwight, at 68, was proof that being older doesn’t mean stepping out of the spotlight. It means owning it differently—with confidence, character, and authenticity.
Watching him, I realized: we don’t lose our spark as we age—we forget to fan the flame.
Finding New “Firsts” at Any Age
So maybe it’s time to start asking new questions:
What’s something I’ve never done that still excites me?
What’s something I used to love that I’ve put aside?
What’s stopping me from rediscovering joy?
“Firsts” don’t have to be grand or flashy. They can be as simple as:
Trying a new recipe.
Learning an instrument.
Dancing in your kitchen.
Travelling somewhere you’ve only dreamed of.
Or—like me—screaming your heart out at a concert you thought you were too old for.
Life isn’t about being young—it’s about being alive. It's about living life!
For Anyone Who Feels Invisible
If you’ve ever felt like your generation doesn’t matter anymore, I want you to know this: You do.
The world needs your stories. Your laughter. Your perspective. Your courage to keep showing up when life has already tested you a hundred times.
You are not past your prime—you are proof of possibility.
Still Swaying, Still Relevant
Watching Dwight Yoakam move across that stage reminded me that passion doesn’t age—it evolves. So no matter your age, never stop moving to your own rhythm.
We are still here. We are still capable. We are still relevant.
And we can still have firsts.
Closing Thought
If you’ve forgotten how it feels to be excited about something new, let this be your reminder to find your next “first.”
Because as long as we’re breathing, there’s still something to look forward to.
Born different, built strong — see you on the next turn.
ang
Angie Sandow is an Inspirational Humourist, Author, and Speaker who proves that age and difference don’t define us — they empower us. Born with a limb difference and a breast cancer survivor, Angie rides a motorcycle with one hand, plays guitar with a prosthetic, and shares her story to inspire others to laugh, live fully, and embrace every “first” at any age.
👉 Learn more or book Angie to speak at your next event:
#StillRelevant #AgeIsJustANumber #NeverTooOld #SeasonedAndSmiling #LiveFully #FirstsAtAnyAge #BornDifferentBuiltStrong #Inspiration #MidlifeMagic #KeepMoving #PositiveAging #dwightyoakam
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