When I said I feel 25, I meant I don't feel any difference in the way I think (although I hope I am wiser). But on the other hand, I agree that having to face the future, I fear for our children and grandchildren. And I don't want to be taken care of by a robot when I can't take care of myself. I think human contact is vital. Take it one day at a time or you will indeed feel the weight of the world on your shoulders, and that can be very tiring!
Sarah, we've communicated before, and if you read the required bio I just wrote, you will see that the best thing you can do is enjoy every day the way you look, because you cannot stop the aging process. I still feel 25, and although I can't believe what I see in the mirror, it happens to everyone who lives long enough. There is beauty at every age, and in every face. Don't make me accuse you of being vain. I tried to keep my looks and wouldn't tell anyone my age. But eventually, it does catch up with us. You are much too young to be wasting time on obsessing about it. Start enjoying every minute. The older you get, the faster the time goes. And try not wearing makeup; see how many people notice, or care! Loretta
If self-criticism has crept into your wellness goals for the year, put your hand on your heart, take a deep breath and affirm this to your body: “I am enough.” Say it again and again until it sticks.
Consider this your friendly reminder from this 20-year cancer thriver: you can be both broken and beautiful. Perfectly imperfect. Full of wobbles and full of worth.
So yes, re-commit to yourself for the rest of this year. But don’t do it to “fix” yourself. Do it to love yourself. Commit to healthy habits that make you feel able and awake and alive. Commit to taking impeccable care of yourself… because you deserve it.
Interesting that three men were the first to respond to your post. All had worthy comments!
As an average-looking woman, never considered pretty I presume, I think it is easier to age and not have to deal with the grief of loss of youthful beauty. It was never a strong part of my persona, not that I wouldn't have loved it to be... The attention it garners can be deceiving and I didn't have to worry about that so much. I like myself in general the older I get. Not that I don't get startled sometimes when I look in a mirror, but I like that the prettier ones are catching up with me and we are all aging together. (The revenge of the average!!) Of course I do fret over extra weight along with many women and some men, so I'm not completely off the hook...
Humans have been evolving for, give or take, 10 million years. We've been working in social groups, where beauty should be at best a secondary concern, for about 100,000 years.
On this topic, like many others, we are prisoners of our dinosaur brains. Add in that one can consider another's appearance from some distance, but getting to know them requires much closer proximity, not to mention effort.
Maybe in another 5,000 millennia this won't be an issue. For now, consider that aging beats the alternative!
Thanks for your expression of what I imagine many of us experience about our looks. I have only brief re-experiencing of regret for aging. I maintain at least a decent amount of satisfaction in that I have an ongoing commitment to be in better condition that ever, even as I age. I continue to find new ways to improve my strength and physical well-being. I also have developed a new personal look and style which gives me a lot of pleasure. All of this along with some bit of wisdom and healing has enabled me to like myself more as I age. Thanks again for your thoughtful blog post.
Hi Sarah, Here's a joke I tell frequently: Question: How can you feel beautiful and young forever without plastic surgery? Answer: Don't carry a mirror around! Also, I really do consider myself to be 25 years old in spirit, because I'm still as curious, interested in studying many things, and energetic as I always have been. That way, my age of 72 is just a number, and my essence is ageless. I plan not to think any other way! It's a handy attitude to have in Mexico, because there is so much to learn and experience. I wish you a speedy sighting of your own personal Fountain of Youth!
When I said I feel 25, I meant I don't feel any difference in the way I think (although I hope I am wiser). But on the other hand, I agree that having to face the future, I fear for our children and grandchildren. And I don't want to be taken care of by a robot when I can't take care of myself. I think human contact is vital. Take it one day at a time or you will indeed feel the weight of the world on your shoulders, and that can be very tiring!
Sarah, we've communicated before, and if you read the required bio I just wrote, you will see that the best thing you can do is enjoy every day the way you look, because you cannot stop the aging process. I still feel 25, and although I can't believe what I see in the mirror, it happens to everyone who lives long enough. There is beauty at every age, and in every face. Don't make me accuse you of being vain. I tried to keep my looks and wouldn't tell anyone my age. But eventually, it does catch up with us. You are much too young to be wasting time on obsessing about it. Start enjoying every minute. The older you get, the faster the time goes. And try not wearing makeup; see how many people notice, or care! Loretta
Perfection is a mean myth.
If self-criticism has crept into your wellness goals for the year, put your hand on your heart, take a deep breath and affirm this to your body: “I am enough.” Say it again and again until it sticks.
Consider this your friendly reminder from this 20-year cancer thriver: you can be both broken and beautiful. Perfectly imperfect. Full of wobbles and full of worth.
So yes, re-commit to yourself for the rest of this year. But don’t do it to “fix” yourself. Do it to love yourself. Commit to healthy habits that make you feel able and awake and alive. Commit to taking impeccable care of yourself… because you deserve it.
Interesting that three men were the first to respond to your post. All had worthy comments!
As an average-looking woman, never considered pretty I presume, I think it is easier to age and not have to deal with the grief of loss of youthful beauty. It was never a strong part of my persona, not that I wouldn't have loved it to be... The attention it garners can be deceiving and I didn't have to worry about that so much. I like myself in general the older I get. Not that I don't get startled sometimes when I look in a mirror, but I like that the prettier ones are catching up with me and we are all aging together. (The revenge of the average!!) Of course I do fret over extra weight along with many women and some men, so I'm not completely off the hook...
Take the word of an 82 year-old man, women look better tyhe older they get.
Humans have been evolving for, give or take, 10 million years. We've been working in social groups, where beauty should be at best a secondary concern, for about 100,000 years.
On this topic, like many others, we are prisoners of our dinosaur brains. Add in that one can consider another's appearance from some distance, but getting to know them requires much closer proximity, not to mention effort.
Maybe in another 5,000 millennia this won't be an issue. For now, consider that aging beats the alternative!
Thanks for your expression of what I imagine many of us experience about our looks. I have only brief re-experiencing of regret for aging. I maintain at least a decent amount of satisfaction in that I have an ongoing commitment to be in better condition that ever, even as I age. I continue to find new ways to improve my strength and physical well-being. I also have developed a new personal look and style which gives me a lot of pleasure. All of this along with some bit of wisdom and healing has enabled me to like myself more as I age. Thanks again for your thoughtful blog post.
Hi Sarah, Here's a joke I tell frequently: Question: How can you feel beautiful and young forever without plastic surgery? Answer: Don't carry a mirror around! Also, I really do consider myself to be 25 years old in spirit, because I'm still as curious, interested in studying many things, and energetic as I always have been. That way, my age of 72 is just a number, and my essence is ageless. I plan not to think any other way! It's a handy attitude to have in Mexico, because there is so much to learn and experience. I wish you a speedy sighting of your own personal Fountain of Youth!