What's wrong with looking your age?
Absolutely nothing! Yet, society often makes us feel like there is something wrong with our natural state of being. We are bombarded with unrealistic beauty standards from social media that tell us the only way to be beautiful is to look young.
This can have a serious toll on our mental health and self-confidence.
The rise of social media and apps that make it easy to edit photos has made it even easier for people to manipulate their images.
Filters are being used to give an artificial glow, smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, and minimize certain body parts. Furthermore, the normalization of anti-aging treatments like Botox has further perpetuated the notion that the natural trail of thought must be wanting to stay young looking forever.
This can have a harmful effect on society by creating unrealistic standards that few can achieve without undergoing expensive treatments. It also implies that aging isn’t something to be celebrated but rather something to be feared or ashamed of – which couldn’t be farther from the truth!
There is nothing wrong with wanting to look younger, as long as it’s being done for the right reasons. We’ve all been there, myself included especially while spending lockdown with way too much time to look at the lines around my eyes!
If you feel like you want to try anti-aging treatments because it will make you feel better about yourself and boost your confidence, then by all means go ahead. But if you are doing it under pressure from society or because of cultural expectations, then we should be asking ourselves some hard questions instead. We should be celebrating aging rather than trying to stave off the inevitable – after all, who wants to spend their life looking youthful when they can live a full life embracing all the wonders that come with growing older.
Aging is a blessing, and we should be celebrating every single wrinkle, line and grey hair. As we get older, we gain wisdom and knowledge that just can't be found in books or on the internet – it's something unique to us!
Our wrinkles are a reflection of all the smiles and laughter experienced over our lifetime. Our laugh lines showcase the joy of life, reminding us of all the memories created during our journey this far. And those silver strands?
They symbolise sophistication and grace – qualities that become more pronounced as we age. We should be embracing these physical changes instead of trying to hide them away - they are evidence of a vibrant life well lived!
Although the standards of society may tell us that we need to be ‘perfect’ and always look young, there is nothing wrong with aging gracefully.
Looking our age can actually be a sign of confidence; it means that we are not scared of showing who we really are and how far we have come in life. It does not matter if it’s an inner beauty or an outer appearance; we should all strive for true confidence by embracing ourselves exactly as we are. Ultimately, it is important for us all to remember that there is no shame in naturally growing older.
It takes courage and strength to break the status quo, but that's exactly why doing so is so rewarding. We can show confidence in looking the age that we are, regardless of society's pressures - after all, there is absolutely nothing wrong with growing older gracefully!
Let's reject the notion that aging is something to fear or hide, and instead embrace it as part of our unique journey. By owning our age with pride, we can empower ourselves and others around us to appreciate life for its beauty at every stage.
It's time to take back ownership of our age and embrace becoming wiser, smarter, more experienced and filled with stories that make us who we are. It's about time we let go of the unattainable expectations society has set for us, and start celebrating ourselves for being exactly who we are – no matter what age we may be!
So next time you hear someone telling you “you don’t look your age “, don’t be embarrassed or ashamed – just smile and own it. After all, there is no right or wrong age to look! Just enjoy the ride that life has to offer and take pride in who you are!
Let’s reclaim our age and show society that we can be proud of every year we live - without judgement from anyone else. It's time to stop fearing aging and start embracing it as a badge of honour! Let's live with confidence in our skin, no matter what number our birthdays represent.
Who knows? We might even find ourselves enjoying this season more than any other. So let's make the most of it and celebrate each new year as an opportunity for growth, learning, and love.
At the end of the day, age is just a number. What really matters is how you feel about yourself and how deeply you appreciate the life you are living. So why not raise a glass to aging gracefully - and confidently? Here’s to living your best life at every age!
We'll raise a prosecco to that!
