On Aging Gracefully

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Do you remember the term ‘aging gracefully’? Of course you don’t. It doesn’t exist anymore. Once Botox, fillers, plastic surgeries and other procedures became widely accessible and acceptable, the term ‘aging gracefully’ died a quiet, but, er, graceful death.

In today's world of nips and tucks and magic creams and injectable parties, I'd say we should rename the concept "pretending aging doesn't exist". There's no longer any sense of dignity, respect or grace associated with the process of getting older; there's only shame and discomfort.

As I settle into middle age, I’m constantly reminded of what it would truly mean to 'age gracefully'. I think about it when I’m getting my roots done, when I’m staring at a shelf of new miracle serums, when I notice the changes to my skin tone, menstrual cycle and sleep patterns, and when I see photos of gorgeous, glamorous celebrity moms who look better at 60 than most women would hope to look at 30.

I imagine the time and energy and effort - and money - they spend to look the way they do… to fight nature, to battle the inevitable… and I wonder if it’s worth it, or if we should just accept our fates and age with a sense of achievement and pride.

I don't know. 

I don't know how I'll feel when I go completely grey, when I hit menopause, when my metabolism slows to a halt, or when I feel the pep in my step dwindling... I don't know how I'll feel then and if I'll decide in a panic that I should do anything, use any means available, to reclaim even the tiniest whisper of youth, biological years (and my bank account) be damned.

What I do know is that I'm committed to living as healthy a lifestyle as I can for as long as I can; that I'm dedicated to prioritizing my mental, physical and emotional well-being over my superficial concerns. And I hope that as long as I continue to choose exercise over tummy tucks (even if it doesn’t get rid of that loose, wrinkly skin), facial yoga over Botox (even if lines still creep around my eyes), water over alcohol/juice/soda (99% of the time), and sunscreen over tanning, that I'll feel good enough to accept whatever it is I see in the mirror.

That said, I'm a realist. As I get older, as I sag and wrinkle and parch, I'm completely open to the idea that I might one day decide to take advantage of the more extreme opportunities available to me (mini facelift, anyone??). 

And that's OK, too. Just as long as my choices are made not out of fear, not out of the pressure I feel from society, but from a place of confidence, of pride, of dignity and, yes, of grace.

 

My absolute favorite go-to healthy treatment right now is the #nofilter laser facial my dermatologist offers which combines traditional laser toning with laser microneedling… five days of redness and minor peeling, and your face feels and glows like a baby’s bottom for six months afterwards!

DM or Comment below for more info!!

And read more about my struggles and successes with ‘ageing gracefully’ in my upcoming book release, F*ck Me: A Memoir. Make sure to Subscribe so you don’t miss a thing!

 

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