Beauty

[SeaGal]

Another good post, VCamp

[HappyAndIKnowIt From NY]

I'm not sure how I would describe aging gracefully. I simply know when I see someone who is not doing so. Many years ago, when mini skirts were all the rage, I remember seeing some older women actually wearing them too. They had on entirely too much make-up and used the jargon of the young people (slang). I also remember having teachers who tried to be hip and relate to the students by acting like them. I've seen this kind of thing over the years and vowed that I would never try to act younger than my years. A few years ago, I saw a man who had to be well into his forties or fifties. His pants were loose and fitted around his hips like the kids, goldchains around his neck and a baseball cap turned backwards on his head. It was sad. I suppose aging gracefully is accepting your position in life at each stage. Behaving with responsibility and maturity and trying to pass on a better world to the next generation.

[yellowBeetle]

A few weeks ago I saw a wonderful interview with the actress Eva Marie Saint, hosted by Robert Osborne on TCM. She is the epitome of someone who is "aging gracefully!"

Saint's simple advice about aging is to "go with the flow!" Don't fight it - accept it.

Saint is so energetic, funny, playful, amusing, and full of life. She has lots of lines and wrinkles but with her constant smile and bubbly personality you hardly notice them. Her hair is still blondish and in a current style. She is slim and trim and stylishly dressed.

And she will be 90 years old this year!

I'm in my early 60s and watching the delightfully "young" Eva Marie Saint at age 89 was inspirational. I DVRd it and had my husband watch it. He agreed that she is a role-model for how to enjoy life! She is still in good health - said she walks an hour every day, watches what she eats, etc. Her husband of over 60 years was in the audience - she was having lots fun playfully flirting with him! But it is her enthusiastic attitude that shines through and is very infectious!

Saint obviously has a real zest for life. To me that is the key to "aging gracefully." Make the most of every day - and really enjoy whatever you are doing!

And as Eva Marie Saint says, just "go with the flow!"

[Marienkaefer2]

My definition of "aging gracefully"...not obsessing with your age.

Being yourself and all that means.

If you live a happy life, comfortable in your own skin, then "aging gracefully" shouldn't be an issue.

I think our society puts people in age castes. According to.the parameters, you are either "good to go," on the brink of developing issues, are in the midst of developing issues, or are in full blown issue meltdown.

Women buy in to the hype (and the products) and become obsessive, anxious, etc.

I have never seen so much focus on the face, and if the face is ok, what about the neck, or the hands, or the veins...forget about the hair! Or weight. And on it goes...

I'm not talking about people who have serious and chronic health issues. Totally different.

I'm talking about ordinary, fairly healthy women, who are attractive in their own right, who obsess and fret.

For the record, my definition of attractive is anyone with a good heart and soul, who has good hygiene habits, and who smiles a lot.

Don't get me wrong, I use my creams, etc. I wear make up. I love to get "dressed" for an occasion. But I also eat well, get rest and exercise, do things that bring joy to my life and take my mind off the little line under my eye that no one notices but me.

Here's some advice: help a first grader at your local school practice reading. It will bring a smile to your face...the best beauty tonic ever.

[SeaGal]

I gotta say this is a great thread, I enjoyed all your thoughts.

[Rununculus]

The phrase used to mean accepting yourself as you age and not intervening, or at least that's what I thought the original meaning was. Not "trying too hard" to look more youthful than you really are.

Now I think it means that partly, but it also means putting up a fight where we can do so without being crazy about it. It means eating healthy and staying physically active -- working out -- and it may include wearing makeup that suits our skin and features as they change.

When my grandparents were 60, 70, they let their bodies go a lot more than a lot of people do nowadays. My nana gained weight, wore mumus, did not color her hair and did not wear makeup. My friends now who are 60-70, many of them belong to gyms and eat healthy and keep pretty slim. Some but not all color their hair, dress currently (but not inappropriately young), wear makeup and even have procedures done. Some are still working and traveling often, take university courses to keep learning, and stay on top of current events.

I think it's so personal, we each need to do what feels right to us. There's folly in trying to look 30 when you're 50, but nothing wrong with taking care of the package. If I'm a pretty and vibrant 50 that's better than being a dowdy woman wearing a sour expression and feeling icky about life.

[azterry!]

On 4/23/2014 Rununculus said:

The phrase used to mean accepting yourself as you age and not intervening, or at least that's what I thought the original meaning was. Not "trying too hard" to look more youthful than you really are.

Now I think it means that partly, but it also means putting up a fight where we can do so without being crazy about it. It means eating healthy and staying physically active -- working out -- and it may include wearing makeup that suits our skin and features as they change.

When my grandparents were 60, 70, they let their bodies go a lot more than a lot of people do nowadays. My nana gained weight, wore mumus, did not color her hair and did not wear makeup. My friends now who are 60-70, many of them belong to gyms and eat healthy and keep pretty slim. Some but not all color their hair, dress currently (but not inappropriately young), wear makeup and even have procedures done. Some are still working and traveling often, take university courses to keep learning, and stay on top of current events.

I think it's so personal, we each need to do what feels right to us. There's folly in trying to look 30 when you're 50, but nothing wrong with taking care of the package. If I'm a pretty and vibrant 50 that's better than being a dowdy woman wearing a sour expression and feeling icky about life.

where's the "like" button?

[Lipstickdiva]

To me it means accepting all the changes that are happening to you as you get older and not pumping yourself up full of injections and fillers and pulling your face tight to the point you don't look yourself.

I can't imagine a time when I won't use make-up or that I will let my hair go gray. I can't imagine not carrying about clothing and shoes. That's just not me.

But I don't want to look like some old fool trying to compete with young ladies either.

I don't think taking care of your health means "aging" gracefully. That is something one should do their entire life, young or old.

[pattypeep]

Being happy w/ who you are.

[DoneTryin]

On 4/23/2014 SeaGal said:

Another good post, VCamp

It won't do you any good kissing up to me. The Broncos are really hungry now