I hope this doesn't come across sounding like I was some raving beauty in my youth, although I did turn a few heads , and was never short of a date.. and when I look back at pictures I see I was far more attractive than my self confidence allowed me to believe...but these days I notice I'm almost invisible. I'm not bothered all that much about that..I'd rather be pain free and happy in my own skin than trying to impress other people, although I do like to dress as well as I can..and take care of myself. I still go out to work full time, so apart from anything else I do have to make the effort to look smart and presentable... However while talking to friends, many of them (particularly those who were real good lookers)...are having a hard time now in our late 50's and early 60's..being addressed as Dear..or madam...and being overlooked as though they don't exist an feel they're not treated like a person who'se opinions matter to strangers...as though they're seen as someone whose always been old..instead of the go getting youths we all were in the 70's and 80's... What about some of you...do you get the same kind of attitude now you're older?...does it matter to you that perhaps your good looks are fading, or don't you care...or perhaps you're still very good looking and still enjoying the attention...what are your thoughts?
At first I didn't like the initial signs but then thought I had enough to contend with, so be it But - I still look after meself, make up, hair, clothes, because I look better for that effort Anything that lifts the mood is good - so I always give meself a grin followed by pullin faces at meself to keep me face taught. It really is a workout for the face, I'm doing it now as I type - don't look
Wife continues to color her hair and I use Just For Men Beard & Mustache Coloring. Don't have a beard, so use it on my mustache, short sideburns and temples. I have a small "beer-belly", but definitely not the size of some men my age. I sure wouldn't call either of us fit, but we are ok for our age. Neither of us get the looks we did years ago, when we were single (divorced). Now, being older and married, we don't care what others might think. We love each other and give each other compliments on our looks. That's all we need.
Oh Holly, you've read my diary My mom always told me I was beautiful but I knew I wasn't. Then one, popular boy (a truly nice boy) fell for me in highschool. I learned on into my 30s, just my belief, that beauty was truly an inside job. I still want to look like the pictures of the "skin deep" beauties on TV, and it's my inside thoughts that are causing me to black out all my mirrors, LOL! I think women are created to want to be beautiful, and attractive. I can only say that for myself, I want to be, but I care less with each, passing day. I can look at everyone and see their individual beauty, but I can't see it in myself. I'm sad sometimes how the "world" has projected this idea of "what beauty is" to so many of us, and even the fairy-tales, the beautiful princess wins the handsome prince. Notice we never hear what happens after the babies come, menopause, etc. The rest of the story. I heard Meryl Streep say something wonderful about aging, and it helped me, for a time anyway, LOL. Then I'm back to wishing Well, couldn't find the one I heard Meryl say, but it was something about "not feeling the need to impress anyone anymore" I do like what Susan has to say here: 1. "I wouldn't want to be 20 now. I know so much more, and I'm much more comfortable in my skin, saggy as it is ... When I hear young girls complaining about superficial things ... You're at the peak of your physical beauty right now! Just enjoy it and stop worrying about your thighs being too big ... If you're upset with how you look at 25, life's going to be tough." —Susan Sarandon, V Magazine, winter 2010/11 I am trying to see the good about aging, maybe just accept it as life but sometimes I cry a little, then I get over it, until the next time, hugs Holly, denise PS I don't think we are alone in this at all, even men will talk about their youth, and wish they could do the things they used to be able to do. But yes, a lot of us girls want to be whistled at still
I love it Patsy "pullin faces" does that mean making goofy faces?? If so, I do that everytime I "accidentally" look in a mirror, LOL!! Maybe I should look more often: Remember this one, LOL:
WTG Cody and Wife!! I wish I could have had a life-mate, but I have to believe things happen for a "good" reason. Just my belief, but I am doin ok on my own. Not that if a miracle came into my life that brought a man that was truly a good fit for me I think this woman will not give up hope, yet anyway, LOL!!
Well, when it comes to "looks" today, "looks", experience and a nice college degree is what (many times) will get the nice/high salary. I really believe this! I never thought I was "hot" looking, but I sure wasn't ugly either. On the other hand, my wife was great looking and I felt very lucky to have her. We both loved how the other looked in Western attire and on a horse. It's very true that "looks" are pushed a lot today in society, but that's just the way it is.
Beauty is a distraction. When I was younger, no one actually saw me. Only my outer self was seen. When my brain started to show, those that were leering at me would suddenly turn away, or there next step would be to try and belittle me in whatever fashion that they could find. But I do have to say it was an illuminating way to see weed out the chaff. When I look at the older generation with all their wrinkles, I see what they have to share, and what life has taught them. Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.
I got belittled for looks when I was in high school, but didn't let it bother me. Today there are a lot of very good looking young adults. Wrinkles and weight seem to plague our age bracket, but, with enough money, those two problems can be taken care of. Unfortunately, most don't have that kind of money.
When I see all my wrinkles, I see a person that has lived and learned about life. I'm happier now than when I was younger.
I am sad for those that try so disparetly to hold onto youth. Some of the horror of plastic surgery etc. I can't be more happy I don't have a lot of money, I may have tried something, I don't think so, but I never found myself in "those shoes". I get down about growing older, but I also get to feeling very grateful just to still be able to enjoy life. I always think of the beauty Marilyn Monroe was known for, and how young she died. I think it was suicide, but she was certainly very unhappy at times. Whitney Houston is another, people you think have it all, and then their gone, or destroyed by one thing or another
That's not a feeling that happens to often. We are happy, but when we look at photos of us 16 years ago, when we first met, we definitely wish we looked like that again.
I agree about living and learning Ina. I wouldn't want to go back, not unless I could carry some of that wisdom I've gained with me.
Money doesn't destroy everyone.....just saying. Some don't need, or want, a lot of money, but when it comes to really enjoying those retirement years, money does talk. Being able to travel to whereever and eat at nice restaurants and so and so takes money. Taking care of health issues takes money as well. Yes, again, with enough money, those retirement years can be happier. Not worrying about money can be/is a very nice feeling! Give us a high number, with plenty of zero's behind it, in our Savings Acct. and we'd be even happier than we already are!