Loved reading this, thank you! Fascinating because I am 51 and still sweating the same stuff. I’m actually writing my take on aging right now, to post this Sunday. I have some cronie (croney?) wisdom but also like you, conflicted and confused after decades of conditioning. I don’t do Botox, and I’m trying not to judge (while secretly feeling shit in comparison, judging to make myself feel better then feeling shit about judging).
As a woman who’s probably a good decade (and a half!) older than you are, this is a question that I hadn’t realised I would consider whilst still in my mid 40s but it absolutely has been. And I notice that younger and younger women are also talking more openly about it too. Many people I went to school with now commonly use Botox and fillers. Like you, I adopt an each to their own attitude. I want to see women happy and it’s wonderful to see someone feeling confident and I wouldn’t deny that to someone (I too am a recent disciple of a lash tint and lift😂). However, I would love to see women collectively unite in their genuine and heartfelt belief that invasive procedures are unnecessary. Like you say though, it’s hard to see where the “line” is and there is an ever increasing dystopian feel to it all, where age reversing is almost being usurped by impossible societal beauty standards. Anyway, for my part, I made a decision some time ago (I wrote about somewhere in the depths of my instagram) that every time I felt like getting fillers or Botox I would instead book myself in for a new piercing or tattoo. Acts of self love that embrace our aging bodies hold more value for me than trying to reverse it. As they say, aging is a privilege denied to many and I won’t waste that privilege with resentment. 🤍🌸
I’m reading this on a Friday evening; today is the last day in my thirties. I’d like to think it’s pretty mature and wise of me to stay home, catch up on Grey’s Anatomy, and read through Substack while my husband took the kids to a school bingo night.
I wouldn’t want it any other way! (What’s that song? Meredith something? I know you know it.)
Loved reading this, thank you! Fascinating because I am 51 and still sweating the same stuff. I’m actually writing my take on aging right now, to post this Sunday. I have some cronie (croney?) wisdom but also like you, conflicted and confused after decades of conditioning. I don’t do Botox, and I’m trying not to judge (while secretly feeling shit in comparison, judging to make myself feel better then feeling shit about judging).
ugh, does it never end?! but thank you Clare—I would LOVE to read your cronie/croney wisdom!
As a woman who’s probably a good decade (and a half!) older than you are, this is a question that I hadn’t realised I would consider whilst still in my mid 40s but it absolutely has been. And I notice that younger and younger women are also talking more openly about it too. Many people I went to school with now commonly use Botox and fillers. Like you, I adopt an each to their own attitude. I want to see women happy and it’s wonderful to see someone feeling confident and I wouldn’t deny that to someone (I too am a recent disciple of a lash tint and lift😂). However, I would love to see women collectively unite in their genuine and heartfelt belief that invasive procedures are unnecessary. Like you say though, it’s hard to see where the “line” is and there is an ever increasing dystopian feel to it all, where age reversing is almost being usurped by impossible societal beauty standards. Anyway, for my part, I made a decision some time ago (I wrote about somewhere in the depths of my instagram) that every time I felt like getting fillers or Botox I would instead book myself in for a new piercing or tattoo. Acts of self love that embrace our aging bodies hold more value for me than trying to reverse it. As they say, aging is a privilege denied to many and I won’t waste that privilege with resentment. 🤍🌸
This is so beautifully put, Blossom! Thank you for sharing. I love that pact you made with yourself...hmm, maybe it's time for my first tattoo ;)
Definitely! 😂😉
I’m reading this on a Friday evening; today is the last day in my thirties. I’d like to think it’s pretty mature and wise of me to stay home, catch up on Grey’s Anatomy, and read through Substack while my husband took the kids to a school bingo night.
I wouldn’t want it any other way! (What’s that song? Meredith something? I know you know it.)
Ok now I’m off to watching old xtina videos.
Thanks for this, that was fun!