“Aging is not ‘lost youth,’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength. It’s a different stage of life, and if you are going to pretend it’s youth, you are going to miss it. You are going to miss the surprises, the possibilities, and the evolution that we are just beginning to know about because there are no role models, no guideposts, and no signs.”
~ Betty Friedan
Photo is Emmylou Harris, via The Tennesean.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Sally, you *know* this post rings all my happy bells. Beautiful photo, beautiful quote. I do believe we have some roles models now, in fashion, the arts, science and politics. There are older women who can help guide the way, if we are open to all the “surprises and possibilities” : >
What a perfect quote. Thank you for sharing!
I’m finding that the internet is a wonderful resource for my journey as I grow. There are all kinds of ‘women of a certain age’ who are stylish, active, and inspirational. there are more images posted that resonate with me, not all young skinny model types that I would find in a fashion magazine. Thank goodness, and thank you for this post!
Thank you for posting this! It’s fantastic. I’ve never quite understood the fear and/or dislike of aging. I suppose I’m young enough that my thoughts on the matter are still somewhat uninformed (I’m only 31). Speaking for myself, however, I loved finally turning 30 and being over and done with my 20s, and I hope I continue to feel so positively about aging as I get older. Posts like this are sure to help
When I was a child, I remember hearing that at a certain age, one simply didn’t wear one’s hair long. Or hearing the phrase “mutton dressed as lamb.” Or any number of other things that implied that everyone over 30 was simply to try to be restrained and unnoticed, since your “being pretty” days were over.
And then I see Emmylou here, radiant. I’m 42, and I just walked into a salon and told the brand-new-to-me hairdresser “I don’t want to look suburban,” and have gotten more compliments on the resultant look than I perhaps EVER have. I still have those voices in my head, hinting that I may look ridiculous, a woman of my age. But life ain’t over. I may be well into it, but there’s so much life yet to come. Thank you for the remainder and the reassurance.
YES. I am actually looking forward to being 40 next year. I don’t colour my hair so it has lovely grey highlights, but my body is stronger than it was in my 20s and I like myself a lot better. I know that eventually my body will reach a peak and start to decline, but I’m ok with that, and I look forward to other things that age will bring – more wisdom, maybe more patience, more skill in some areas, more respect… it’s not that I’m unattractive and my looks are unimportant, but I think my looks are only a part of who I am, and as I age they are different, I am different, and being young and sexy is of limited value for what I want to do and be.
I’m almost 52 and really appreciate this post. I feel so much more comfortable in my skin now. Sure, there are things I have lost, like a flat belly, but there are more things I have gained, like my children, perspective, confidence. Each stage of life has its ups and downs, it’s up to us to accentuate the positive and keep growing!
Sal, I love this post. I have liked my 30′s so far, but I am hung up on my hair. It started graying when I was 17, so coloring it didn’t seem like fighting my age; I just wasn’t ready to be gray yet. I’m not sure what I’ll do as the years go on and more of my auburn hair goes white.
Perfect! I saw Emmylou in concert a few months ago and she came onstage wearing a sparkly pink headband across her forehead, fringed boots that she shook shook shook, and pure gusto. My friend and I — both in our 40s — were giddy over her example of a woman who is unapologetically exactly who she is, from her white hair to her beautiful voice.
Great post! I had major issues for ages around turning 30, but I’m coming to terms with the idea that aging doesn’t mean lost opportunities. I can still do the things I was going to do, just not necessarily in the same way.
Heart of Gold, A beautiful film with Emmylou Harris and Neil Young–which says a lot about aging with grace and soul:
http://www.heartofgoldmovie.com/
S.
My mother always told me that her 40′s were the best years of her life. This being the new millenium, I will say that my 50′s are the best of my life. But I could be wrong…my 60′s might be even better. I like my grey hair and I prefer my creased face to the surprised, melted-by-a-microwave look some chemically enhanced people are embracing.
Yes! Also, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3xRw1RBmFI&feature=related (Emmylou Harris performing Pancho and Lefty in 2008.)
Great quote, great example! I’ve always thought that Emmylou is the perfect example of what sexy gray hair looks like. I turned 46 this summer and I can honestly say life just keeps getting better. There are still plenty of bumps in the road, but I feel better prepared to meet them. When they do come along, I don’t get as rattled by them as I used to.
I’m currently working on growing out my gray hair and have been scouring photos of models with gray hair. Eileen Fisher and J. Jill have a couple beautiful models with gray. My inspiration.
I love Emmylou, love that she rocks the gray hair, but she HAS had plastic surgery.