Teens and older adults have a few things in common.
Both usually don't like the way they look. Both are self conscious about the way we look. Teens may have acne, their bodies are going through changes. Older people, their bodies are changing, they see lines on their faces, we don't like what;s happening to our bodies.
Both are facing their unknown futures. For teens, fear of adulthood, they may be pulled one way by their parents, friends, other people they love. For older people, it may be their fear of death, fear of the unknown. Family, friends, people that are no longer in your life.
There's an adjustment for older women. I don't feel like a woman in her 60's. I never really thought much about aging in my early 50's. I realized in my mid 50's the way other people saw me had changed.
We are constantly hit with advertising about aging, from magical lotions, facial treatments, to make you look years younger, of course the hair dyes to cover your gray, to medical remedies, drugs that have more possible side effects than benefits.
Our society sends out messages that aging is a bad thing, instead of the fact that it is a natural process. Who wants to be around a negative reminder of your own future? After all, we live in the land of denial.
All the ads we are bombarded with focus youth, staying young, instead of our health and the importance of it. I think it all sinks into our subconscious.. it is not just ads. It has become a cultural attitude.
Our final destination is ignored. When younger people look at us, I really believe we are a reminder of their own mortality.
Maybe I have it wrong. What are your thoughts?
