This post is part of a Generation Fabulous Blog Hop on Aging Gracefully – What other way is there, really?
THEN:
NOW:
As we approach fifty and beyond, we begin to look at ourselves differently. Whereas our hands and faces used to require one cleanser, one moisturizer and we were good to go; well, now it’s another story.
Lined up on my shelf are a variety of creams, gels, lotions, vitamins and fluids with promises to firm up, reduce puffiness, erase lines, tighten skin, wipe away wrinkles, restore elasticity, hydrate, energize, revitalize and even hypnotize my face into looking younger.
You name it: I’ve bought it. If product X doesn’t take away that wrinkle under my eye, product Y is sure to do the job.
One too many times I’ve fallen for that facial trick at the mall. You know, where the cosmetician applies the miracle cream to only one side of your face. We all know that both sides of our face are not exactly the same. In my case, one eye is a little puffier under the bottom lashes. So, of course, the salesgirl applies her aging reversal potion to my ‘better side’ so that when I look at myself in the mirror, I can definitely see a difference.
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Sometimes, the purchase isn’t spontaneous, but perfectly thought out. I’ve waited an extra week to make car repairs, so that I could buy a very expensive face repair kit. After all, my face is worth the attention. My car may get me down the road, but it’s the roadmap of my face which stares at me from the mirror.
But whether bought on the spur of the moment or after months of saving, every product makes the same claim: to stop the aging process. Sometimes they even promise much, much more. Why, with my younger skin, I’ll feel better. I’ll cook better. My kids won’t fight so much. I’ll get a raise. I’ll read faster. I won’t get indigestion. I’ll have more energy. And all of these changes will take place in within twenty days after application!
Well, I’m not positive about all these creams. Last time I checked, the Fountain of Youth, still exists only in science fiction. But I do believe in the power of positive thinking. And that age is just a state of mind.
Sure, I will always worry about how I look. But when I’m eighty, god willing, I hope that younger women look at me the way I now look at my eighty-something mother. I’d like them to notice the laugh lines around my eyes and know that my life was filled with humor. And that for every wrinkle on my hand, well, there lies a story that only I could tell.
But of course, I’ll keep on applying all these anti-aging creams to minimize the effects of sun, age, Bloody Mary brunches, coffee, lack of sleep, too much sleep, worrying, laughing. In other words, to keep the ravages of life at bay.
And I’ll keep those monthly manicures hoping to recapture the youthful look of my daughter’s hand. Going for my granddaughter’s look is impossible, so I don’t even think about going back that far.
Four Generations of Hands
But we cannot freeze time. Aging is meant to be a gracefully slow process. After all, everything frozen eventually melts, and that is not how I want my face to look.
Growing old wrinkle free is as unrealistic as being young and wise. The two just don’t go together.
Love this post and especially love the photo of 4 generations of hands!
Looking forward to the big blog hop tomorrow!
Holly
Hi Holly,
Thanks. I’m looking forward to it also. I can’t wait to read everyone’s take on aging gracefully.
Janie
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Oh, it’s so tempting to throw money at aging. Marketers know how to tap into people’s anxieties. (For example: new parents lay down some serious cash as a way to assuage anxieties about caring for a new baby.) I refuse to spend my money that way. I probably could get some benefit from lotions and creams, but I focus on nutrition, staying well hydrated and getting regular exercise. I could work a little harder on stress management! But I also see that mature women who look the best to me are the ones who just ooooooooze confidence. Does anyone sell that at a cosmetic counter?
Those darn people at the mall. The hand cream guys get me every single time LOL. And I love that hands pic too. 🙂
They are unrelenting. Coming at you with their samples. How about those perfume ladies?
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Love this post! Have you read Nora Ephrons book “Sorry about my Neck”….so funny, so relatable. And as for all those “anti wrinkle” creams….when they stop advertising them on 20 year olds I might take them seriously!
The hands picture is gorgeous! And maybe we should all go back to just using Pond’s again!
Love the post and the photo of the hands. Yes, we may be older but we are wiser too and I love being wiser!
Confidence is so critical to everything. Once we lose that, it affects every other part of our body. In so many ways, it truly is mind over matter. Keeping busy, busy enough to stop looking in the mirror helps too. In a way, I am grateful that I take pride in the way I look. Because I work with many women who are twenty years or so younger, and have not taken care of teeth, themselves and have an extra 100 pounds to boot.
So, as we age, we continue to deal with the ying and yang. We can do our best and take the high road at all times, however!
So right on…a couple of years ago I vowed to stop buying all those miracle creams and potions, and focus more on the stuff I really can control: my eating, my fitness, my attitude. Such a relief…and my pocketbook appreciates it, too.
Karen
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Hey, Janie–I bet my stash of skin care preps could match yours! Great post!
A few weeks ago I looked down and exclaimed, “Hey! I have old lady feet!” They’re like a map of blue veined rivers. Nothing escapes aging, but like you, I’m looking forward to the priviledge of it.
What an amazing photo! There must be a good story to go with that. Great thoughts on aging.
I’ve never been big on makeup and I don’t use many products. As you say, wrinkles are part of growing 0ld.
Love your multi-generational manicure party!
What a lovely photo! I’ll be standing next to you in line buying the same lotions and potions. So funny to see Ponds again. My mom loved that and also Oil of Olay.
I use Burts’ Bees day cream most days, and that’s it. Don’t have time (or funds) for the fancy stuff, and that’s okay. Appreciate you letting us in on the tricks of the sales people, though, I might think they were onto something.
Fun post!
I also love the photo. I have never bought into the claims of the beauty products. I use the most basic items and refuse to spend hundreds of dollars on “designer” products.
Wonderfully written! I love you blog. I’m so glad you shared it. 🙂