Rising up, one adage that I knew to be true was that you simply completely don’t ask a lady her age. It was at all times one thing to be coy about—the implication being that not solely was it intrusive to ask, however that it’s greatest to not put the girl within the uncomfortable state of affairs the place both she is is likely to be judged … or may lie. Age was at all times the elephant within the room however as Bob Dylan stated … 🎵 the instances they’re a’altering 🎶 .
An increasing number of ladies are getting snug embracing and sharing their age with delight and I feel it’s due largely to the truth that ladies have begun to redefine what it means to age on our personal phrases. Whether or not it’s by skincare routines, well being regimens, or just the selection to flaunt our silver strands (or not), fashionable ladies are shifting past outdated stereotypes and now have the liberty to outline our personal narratives.
How Turning 50 Used to Look
After I was a younger lady, 50+ yr previous ladies at all times seemed a selected method. I’m certain you’ve seen the memes in regards to the Golden Ladies, or keep in mind from the present, Dorothy, Rose and Blanche had been ladies of their 50s. On this formative time in my girlhood once I was watching the present (I used to be 10 when it got here out in 1985), they seemed like my grandmothers and had been lively like my grandmothers however the motive it stands out a lot now’s that by at present’s lens they appear a lot older.
I’m turning 50 in a number of months, I can’t assist however take into consideration what it should have been like throughout that point, and feeling like that was the embodiment of being in your 50s.
How Turning 50 Has Modified
Over time, the portrayal of getting old has definitely modified. 10 years in the past The At present Present put collectively a slideshow of being in your 50s “then and now” that confirmed stark distinction, particularly among the many ladies. One notable celeb featured was Courteney Cox alongside Aunt Bee from The Andy Griffith present.
In an interview in 2013 in New You journal Cox herself spoke about getting old. The interviewer famous that there have been a lot of reveals on the time the place the principle character was in her 40s or 50s (Cox was starring on the present Cougar City) to which Cox attributed that to, “I really feel like nobody actually seems their age anymore.” Additional within the article, she talks about her worry of turning 50 and likewise her use of anti-aging merchandise together with injectables, which on the time was not usually overtly mentioned, particularly amongst celebrities.
Quick ahead to at present—definitely there’ll at all times be individuals who really feel it’s nobody’s enterprise to know their age they usually may even lie about it for worry it might jeopardize their careers, relationships, and many others., nevertheless it’s changing into extra frequent that girls are proudly saying their age and embracing it as a result of extra ladies are getting old on their very own phrases. There isn’t any longer one look that represents a selected age.
At present, celebrities will endorse and host infomercials speaking about anti-aging merchandise that give them “confidence in my physique and definitely my pores and skin” (Jane Seymore for Crepe Erase). They may even stand exterior the US Capitol shouting to a crowd, “I’m in menopause, OK?” and insisting that “the disgrace needs to be taken out of menopause. We now have to speak about this very regular a part of our life that occurs. Our medical doctors can’t even say the phrase to us, not to mention stroll us by the journey,” (Halle Berry in Might 2024).
At present’s lady has area to age as she needs to—injectables and menopause hormone therapies are spoken of collectively across the espresso store, not whispered quietly about in line for the Girls Room. There’s nobody “proper” solution to be 50—or any age, for that matter.
Personally, my 50 will embody lotions and serums, hair shade (spoiler alert, I’m not naturally purple), inexperienced drinks, hopefully a number of extra marathons and conversations with my associates in regards to the present state of my perimenopause journey. However I can confidently say that these merchandise and my wardrobe aren’t about some quest to be perceived as younger as a result of I’ll inform anybody who asks my age. After which once more, possibly sometime I’ll need attractive silver hair or to put on glasses on a regular basis, however I really like that now it’s as much as me.
Your 50 will look completely totally different from mine—and the way cool is that?! Every of us has the chance to create our personal path ahead … and to personal it.
Hey, yeah … 50 is the brand new 50!
Share your personal experiences and insights about turning 50 and past. —Tam
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