I don’t really have a problem with ageing. I know that’s not the take you’re expecting, especially from a woman, especially in this issue of the magazine that’s basically dedicated to the topic. But I like getting older and I fully intend to keep doing it.
Women get taught early that ageing is something to manage, minimise or apologise for.
Men get “distinguished”. We get, “She’s really let herself go!” So it’s no wonder so many women hit their thirties and start panicking. We’ve been sold the idea that our value has a shelf life and the countdown starts the second we stop looking 25.
I never bought it. Wrinkles are coming. My hair’s probably going grey. I’m not fighting either one. I doubt I’ll ever get Botox or work done on my face because it’s really not my thing, but I don’t judge anyone who does – it’s just not for me.
I want to live it all
As you get older, you get wiser, stronger and better at knowing exactly who you are – and exactly how many stuffs you have left to give. There’s something sexy about a woman who’s stopped performing and started just being. I like myself more at this age than I ever did at 22 – and 22-year-old me had way better skin and way worse judgement!
Ageing isn’t my fear. Dying is. I don’t want to die. I love living. I want to be on the planet for as long as possible. I want to live every decade with the joys and challenges that come with it. I want to be around my friends and family forever, and I certainly don’t want to die and leave my partner Minou behind. (Did you hear he’s 19 years younger?)
I’m at that age where so many people I know or hear about are suffering ill health, life-threatening disease or just dying young. This is why I don’t fear ageing. I’m so happy and grateful to still be alive, to be here and to enjoy the life I’ve chosen to live.
So join me! Wear the grey hair. Get the filler or skip the filler. I couldn’t care less. Just don’t waste the years you’re lucky enough to have being scared of having them.
