How do you picture yourself when you are old? A shriveled up old character, shuffling along slowly and ignored by passers-by? Or a wise, active, well respected person who commands the respect of both your peers and your juniors? Which would you rather be?
I recently read an article about 20 year olds using Botox. Fortunately some plastic surgeons refuse to use Botox and assorted dermal fillers on women in their 20s. But that does not stop the phenomenon happening.
Apparently it’s all about “prevention”, but what is it that these women are really trying to prevent? It’s not about aging at all, it’s about self-esteem. And if we still lived in a culture where the elderly were revered there would be no Botox. Every wrinkle would represent a sign of wisdom, of longevity, of survival, of respect.
As we are living longer, it really makes no sense to try to stay looking young for longer and longer to me. I look at women in their 40s who have had work done and they just look like women in the 40s who have had work done.
Similarly, I see 60 year olds who have had work done who look like 60 year olds who have had work done. I would just like to look like a 60 year old when I’m that age. I am more interested in being healthy, and being knowledgeable and having life experiences to pass on to my grandchildren if and when they come.
If we are afraid of getting old and looking old, we have got it all wrong. Because you can’t delay the inevitable. And who said it is wrong to have wrinkles and grey hair? If we want to be taken seriously and respected in our old age, we must embrace our age and our wisdom and stop trying to look 30 when we are 45 and 50 when we are 60.
Fortunately I still see older women who have “let themselves go”. They have excellent deportment, well groomed grey hair and their fair share of wrinkles. They are involved with their families but also in community projects, some hold positions in community services. They are retired but they are still active participants in life.
Rather than fill up with Botox and end up a plastic and rigid person, fill up with knowledge and experience and pass your life’s lessons onto the next generation. Then there is hope for respect for the elderly instead of being pushed out of the way and sent to mould away in homes.
We make our own futures. Be yourself and not Barbie.
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