How the Obsession with Appearance Erases the True Self

 

I remember looking at my grandmother and seeing wisdom. I had a profound respect for her. As I got older, I wish I had lived closer; I know I would have learned so much from her. She was a library of experience, and her very presence was a lesson in how to live.

The Cost of the Youth Obsession

But today? Older people, especially older women, are simply looked at as "old."

Our entire society is laser-focused on youth. It’s an exhausting, constant conditioning, pushing people to want to stay young—almost like a fear is instilled that aging is a failure.

I’m fortunate to have lived to be almost 70 years old. I don't see this as a problem to be solved; I see it as a privilege. There are many people who don't get this chance. Instead of being viewed as a blessing and treated with respect, age is now treated like a defect.

The Superficial Trap

This is where we have lost our way. Our society simply doesn't value the experience of older people. Instead, we value one thing above all: appearance.

The numbers tell the story: Girls and teens up to 19 are getting elective procedures, from nose jobs and ears to breast reductions. The volume of procedures for women aged 20 to 60 is in the millions. We have become a culture that values the superficial more than anything else.

My grandmother had hair that was a beautiful white. She wore practical house dresses with a sweater on her shoulders. She was beautiful. Her beauty was the kind you earn; it wasn’t manufactured.

By focusing so obsessively on appearance, we have lost so much. We've put immense pressure on women to live up to something superficial, a shallow ideal that is both impossible to maintain and ultimately worthless.

Reclaiming Our Value

I want a productive, content present and future. And I know you do too.

It’s time to push back on this youth-obsessed narrative. We need to remember that our value isn't measured by the smoothness of our skin or the absence of grey hair. Our value is in the decades of experience, the lessons learned, and the resilience built that allows us to stand here today.

We are not "just old." We are women who have earned our wisdom, and it’s a gold we should not let this society ignore.

Grateful to be part of the 60's Club

                                                                               60's Club

I am proud to be part of the 60's club. So many people don't make it to age 60, I realize how fortunate I am to still be here

Our society has always focused on youth. Not just the young, but selling the older people that they need to do all they can to look younger. Some how, natural aging is "against the rules." I know one thing, when I looked at my grandmother, I loved how she looked. Her beautiful white hair and blue eyes. She would wear a "house dress" with a sweater draped over her shoulders. There is nothing I would've changed about her!

I have been a grandmother since I was 40. My older grandchildren know me differently than my younger ones. That's only natural.

Our society doesn't look to older people as having wisdom. Isn't it odd how we honor and preserve so many historic homes, people love antiques.Yet older and elderly people are ignored, not cherished or respected.

We should not have to be subconscious about the lines on our face, the aging of our skin, graying hair, slowing down, needing people to help us when we need.

Maybe looking at us, being around us, younger people see their future. They should realize, we've been where they are and where they are going. They should want to learn from us. With so many people wanting to know about their ancestry, talk to the older people who are here, get to know them. We are part of the present, we are part of the past.

Look at us for who we are, not what we look like. We have given so much, yet have so much left to give..so much left to live...

Don't ignore us, don't look at us as a burden, don't shun us.

If you're fortunate, you too will join the 60's club and beyond. Treat those now in that age group the way you will want to be treated.

How Does Society Stereotype Older Women?

Maggie's Bloom today, How Older Woman are stereotyped.

Our society focuses on youth, and we have lost respect of older people in general. Growing up, I always looked up to my grandparents. 
That respect is even less for older women. Older men, become distinguished looking,their gray hair, lines on their face, are signs of wisdom.
Those same lines and gray hair for women must be hidden. We are sold this in ads every day, we buy into it and so does society.
There is a quote that I really like, "So much has been said and sung of beautiful young girls. Why doesn't somebody wake up to the beauty of older women." Harriet Beecher Stowe
Well, I say, let's be that somebody! Let's talk about our beauty! 
Society needs to see our beauty! We are so much more than skin deep! We are strong, we have our individual life experience, knowledge to share.
Don't take us for granted. Our path in this life continues, we are not done. We have so much to offer.
What are your thoughts? Let's sing our own song!