It’s a curious thing, how as the years pass, we often become more at ease with ourselves, even when time gives us fewer reasons to feel that way. When we’re young and deemed beautiful, we may grapple with insecurity and self-doubt. Helen Mirren encapsulated this notion perfectly when she said, “One of the great advantages of getting older is that you let go of certain things.“
We all have that moment when we catch a glimpse of ourselves through someone else’s eyes, and it can be a harsh reminder of reality. Each week, I join my younger colleagues for bar trivia night. They appreciate having me on their team for my knowledge of obscure facts—anything from ancient Sanskrit deities to Pink Floyd lyrics and even quirky 70’s adult film trivia. As we sip drinks, munch on fried pickles, and occasionally concoct outlandish answers just for fun, an incident recently struck home. One of the girls forgot her wallet, so I stepped in to cover her tab, teasing her as I handed over my card.
“It’s okay,” the waiter remarked, “sometimes my mom has to bail me out, too.”
Yes, he was referring to me as someone who could be a mother to her. It’s not as if I wasn’t aware of the age gap, but that comment has lingered in my mind. It doesn’t help that I recently shared a full-body photo online, along with my age—47. Why did I do that? Now, people will inevitably start adding “for her age” to their observations. “She looks great for her age.” “Can you believe she still does that at her age?” “I hope I’m still as tech-savvy as her at that age.” Is “tech-savvy” a term only used by pretentious people?
And then, we have the dreaded menopause looming. Is that when we’re supposed to surrender everything? Beauty, vitality, sanity? The Google search results paint it as a mixed bag. I stumbled upon a list titled “10 Advantages of Menopause” that includes gems such as:
- You’ll stop having your period.
- You’ll be thrilled about that.
- No more buying feminine hygiene products.
- Yay!
- You can’t get pregnant!
- Yay!
- Seriously, no periods!
- No PMS, either.
- No periods!
- YAY!
On another site, I found a glowing tribute to women in their 50s, dubbing them “the new face” of menopause—yet every woman featured had undergone some form of plastic surgery. While that’s perfectly fine, let’s not kid ourselves with phrases like “50 is the new 30,” especially when the examples seem to cling to an unrealistic version of eternal youth. Why can’t we simply celebrate 50 as the new 50?
I know that it won’t be a smooth ride, and I’m sure I’ll have my moments of panic as I navigate through this phase of life. Growing up, I often heard the Oil of Olay models confidently proclaiming, “I don’t intend to grow old gracefully. I intend to fight it every step of the way.” Seriously? They’re talking about face lotion, not scaling mountains. Isn’t it remarkable how they twist a simple concept into a pseudo-feminist battle cry?
From my perspective, which has evolved significantly since my 30s, the real treasures come from nurturing our health, well-being, and connections with others. Spending a fortune on creams, cosmetics, and surgeries to uphold a façade merely leads to disappointment in failing to meet unrealistic cultural beauty standards that were set long before we even realized it.
But hey, don’t mind me. I’m just embracing my feisty side. If you’re interested in more about navigating life’s challenges, check out this blog post for insights on personal growth. And if you’re considering at-home insemination options, Make A Mom offers reliable kits that you might find helpful. Also, for a comprehensive guide on pregnancy and home insemination, Rmany is an excellent resource.
In summary, as we age, it’s crucial to embrace our authenticity rather than chase a superficial ideal. The journey might be filled with ups and downs, but it’s our unique experiences that truly define us.
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