Aging and "anti-aging" are topics that live forever in my mind. I remember saying to a beauty associate as a ripe 18y/o "I want to take care of my skin now so I can age gracefully". like what in tar nation? Why is that even a thing. Suffice to say, I realllly feel for these sephora kids. Like, collectively, what are we doing?
I report on — and have made a mission of — changing the aging narrative and even at 56, and an enormous fan of Val’s, took pause for just a second about “old lady.” But then I remembered decades ago when I saw “The Vagina Monologues” on stage … the trio of actors sat and said “vagina” dozens of times before starting the show, to desensitize the audience. From twinging (or giggling?) when they said the word throughout. That’s how I feel about this. The more we talk about aging and getting older, the more we stop hearing it as harsh and just as a fact. We are getting older. And with it f’ing brilliantly wiser, smarter, more charming, more interesting, far more compassionate and less fearful of risks.
I would prefer "older" to old. It honors aging without locking someone it to a bracket! "Older Lady Energy" sounds way better than "Old Lady Energy." I'm twice the age of some people I work with but I don't feel like they're young and I'm old. I'm older for sure, not old.
I have very much leaned into finding skincare that works for my skin as I age (started a retinoid, but I also still have acne, so probably should have been on one a while ago). I simply adore getting wiser as I get older.
I read a book a couple of years ago, Breaking the Age Code, that I truly think everyone should read. Aging well is really more the norm than we think, even as bodies require more maintenance to, for example, maintain muscle strength and flexibility, among other things.
Aging and "anti-aging" are topics that live forever in my mind. I remember saying to a beauty associate as a ripe 18y/o "I want to take care of my skin now so I can age gracefully". like what in tar nation? Why is that even a thing. Suffice to say, I realllly feel for these sephora kids. Like, collectively, what are we doing?
I report on — and have made a mission of — changing the aging narrative and even at 56, and an enormous fan of Val’s, took pause for just a second about “old lady.” But then I remembered decades ago when I saw “The Vagina Monologues” on stage … the trio of actors sat and said “vagina” dozens of times before starting the show, to desensitize the audience. From twinging (or giggling?) when they said the word throughout. That’s how I feel about this. The more we talk about aging and getting older, the more we stop hearing it as harsh and just as a fact. We are getting older. And with it f’ing brilliantly wiser, smarter, more charming, more interesting, far more compassionate and less fearful of risks.
I would prefer "older" to old. It honors aging without locking someone it to a bracket! "Older Lady Energy" sounds way better than "Old Lady Energy." I'm twice the age of some people I work with but I don't feel like they're young and I'm old. I'm older for sure, not old.
I have very much leaned into finding skincare that works for my skin as I age (started a retinoid, but I also still have acne, so probably should have been on one a while ago). I simply adore getting wiser as I get older.
I read a book a couple of years ago, Breaking the Age Code, that I truly think everyone should read. Aging well is really more the norm than we think, even as bodies require more maintenance to, for example, maintain muscle strength and flexibility, among other things.
Thank you, Kirbie, for keeping the discussion going, and in such a thoughtful, generous way! xo
Thank you for your writing and POV! 🫶🏻