Age ~ The length of time that a person has lived or existed.
Grab your favorite cardigan and your polyester pants and pull up your rocking chair, this is going to be a wild ride.
My 58th year will be gifted to me in November and our culture deems that as a detriment and not a gift. The lies that are shoved down our throats by our self-centered, youth-driven culture weigh heavy on my heart.
Full disclosure on my behalf, I worked in the beauty industry for 25 years and I added to the problem of aging as a curse. I colored grey hair and consulted on how to get rid of it. The hairstyles I created were designed to make you look more youthful and minimize the effects of aging. I recommend potions, lotions, and products that would reverse and change this natural process. I loved my job, but I realize I added to the culture of aging as a curse instead of a natural process that should be embraced and celebrated. Self-care should always be a priority no matter what your age, but not at the expense of degrading the aging people of our culture. (Me included)
Social media has really had an impact on the negativity toward this demographic. Women take most of the heat in this category. If you open any social media platform and you see older women posting and read the comments, it is usually derogatory comments directed towards wrinkles, grey hair, sagging skin, and the belief you are stupid and useless. I have read comments that suggest that these older women should crawl in a hole and die. (Actual comment left on a post)
The 50s descended upon me with a fury of black balloons and jokes about not making it to the bathroom in time. I laughed along with all the jokes, but in the back of my mind, it really pissed me off. I was 50 not dead! I learned very quickly that women who are in this age bracket are not taken seriously and are talked over and ignored as if we have nothing to offer society anymore. The conversations that I was part of had taken on a new sort of dance. I was included until I had something to say and then I was corrected and brushed over with overwhelming disdain for what I had to contribute to the conversation. The fact of the matter is, being this age has brought with it wisdom, grace, and an abundance of understanding that only comes with experience. Women in their 50s bring so much to the table when it comes to living life.
I am 8 years into this journey of my 50s and it has not been a bed of roses. I have had weeks, days, and months not necessarily in that order that the heaviness of our culture has made me want to hide due to my grey hair and weight gain (which is normal). People look through you and not at you now. People will actually walk into you because you are invisible and not even think twice about it.
The 50s learning curve is huge, and I am discovering every day that where I am in life is amazing. I will join in the conversation and not let people talk over me or disregard me in a demeaning fashion. I will be heard! I will not allow you to look through me and I will demand that you see me. I will look you in the eyes and let you know that my wisdom, grace, and experiences are there to help you navigate this thing we call life. I can lend you all of my knowledge so that when you arrive at 50 you are prepared for the earthquake that will descend upon you unexpectedly. I spent a few years not laughing, not living, and not engaging because society made me feel less than. 58 is a blessing that was denied to many.
The trick is to age honestly and gracefully AND MAKE it look so great that everyone looks for it
Emma Thompson
Making of a Minimalist 