First time making a “personal” post and I just wanted to share some thoughts.
I find it appalling how society pressures people, especially women, to remain youthful - appear younger, have clear skin, stay the same weight since their early years. I see the effects of this on my older sister who loathes wrinkles and grey hair. She grew up with reality shows in the 2000s that highlighted appearances and superficiality, all about how to look on the outside…
I feel grateful to spend so much time with my parents (in their 50s). My mother has started growing grey hair and I find it beautiful. She, just like my father, has wrinkles and “imperfect” skin that I can’t help but admire. Wrinkles tell such a story; of the times you smiled, laughed… they tell people you have lived a life of joy.
I can’t wait until I grow older. Grow grey hair (it’s like being blonde but without the yellow… and as a brunette, it seems like such a fun shift), grow wrinkles from laughing and spending time doing things I like. I look forward to travelling in my young years and looking back on it in my older years. I can’t wait to drink coffee with fellow 60-year olds and speak of how fast the world seems to change, yet time for us moves so slowly whenever we spend time together.
I don’t know. Maybe it sounds ridiculous. But I can’t wait to grow as a person. Become 20, 30, 60… I hope one day society will embrace aging and see how pretty life can get at the later stages.
Just take care of your body and it won't hurt all the time. Knees and back are the ones you really want to protect. Work out regularly even if you don't feel like it. Do some yoga to keep yourself limber. Do this early in and life and make it a habit so later in life you won't have to worry about your body hurting like some 50 year olds.
I agree overall with what you are saying but as someone who for decades has worked out daily, eats well (or at least conscientiously), has never smoked or done rec drugs, rarely drinks, etc.... age still catches up to you. It feels unfair since I've been trying pretty hard to keep my body together for so long but I'm attempting radical acceptance. Seeing everyone I know who all have healthy lifestyles also having to deal with shoulder and knee pain and other things is also leading me to acceptance. Also having close friends in their 30s and 40 die of cancer changes one's perspective on what one can control in life.. We just do what we can and roll with the rest.
And some 30 year olds.