Will You Still Need Me When I’m 64? (On the Topic of Anti-Aging)
Today is my sixty-fourth birthday. How the hell did that happen so fast? Today has me thinking about aging, making the most of the time we have, and how much I deplore the phrase “anti-aging.” I want to talk about pro-aging and the beauty of aging.
Last week I was approached by a brand (who will remain nameless) via my Instagram page, to try out and share what may very well be a lovely beauty product. And the moment I saw it was called an “anti-aging” face cream, I stopped reading. It was a hard stop. The phrase “anti-aging” is so offensive to me on a deep level. Do you feel the same way?
I want to look the best I can for my age, but I don’t want to lie about my age. I don’t want to anti-age. I am not ANTI-aging – I am pro-aging. When did we become a culture so obsessed with youth?
I recall always wanting to be older as I was growing up. To be older was to be cooler, more sophisticated, more interesting.
I’ll never forget the year I forgot how old I was. ALL YEAR I told everyone I was 38. I thought I was 38 deep in my soul. But then my birthday rolled around and I realized I was turning 38 and had robbed myself of my 37th year. Ha! Of course, I had tweenagers at the time, which probably accounts for a fair amount.
Now I am certainly a fan of products that can help soften the signs of aging on my skin. I’ve used Botox. I use Retin-A. I feel no shame about that. But it’s not because I want to deny that I am aging, or that aging is a dirty word or something we should hesitate or shy away from.
What a blessing it is to age – whatever that looks like for you. My mother died when she was nine years older than I am today. And on her deathbed, she spoke about regret that she had for things she had not done. And she was adventurous! But her time was cut short. Last year my daughter climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in honor of my mom, one of the dreams she couldn’t fulfill and carried a photo of her to the summit.
You often hear about people living in the moment. But that’s a hard thing to do. Not to mention this year, when we are all trapped at home (or in my case, currently in quarantine), and longing for life to get back to normal. And we can all feel our own version of disappointed, sad, and frustrated about the situation we find ourselves in with the pandemic, and the long list of other challenges happening in the world right now. But maybe this is indeed the best year for all of us to learn how to live in this moment. With the future so uncertain, we have to grab what we can and do what we love.
This is a great time to be a woman that is aging.
It is never too late to start over, to start a new health kick, a new lifestyle, a new relationship. We are only limited by our own fears, insecurities, and restrictions.
I started my own business in 2012. The year before, I could barely navigate my laptop! And these last eight years have taught me just how many opportunities are available to us – with the right amount of dedication and hard work.
Don’t allow anyone to dim your light, or limit your potential.
The truth is we are aging and it’s a great thing. We can be pro-aging and still do all we can to look our best. There is no expiration date on ambition, hope, and great style.
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday from Ottawa..Enjoy your special day and I hope with š and lots of š….you could have told me you were 54 and I would not have questioned it. Enjoy..
Happy Birthday Jennifer! I love your attitude. Letās enjoy life, have adventures, and laugh often. Age, be damned!
Happy Birthday Beautiful Lady. You look amazing and I love your blog. Each day I look forward to what you will be writing about. I know how you feel time passes so fast. This year has been such a struggle for all of us, I am hoping and praying that this will soon pass. Have a great day.
Beautiful picture of your mom. You favor so much. Great memorial to your mom by your daughter.
I played the Beatles’ song about being 64 a lot the month I turned 64. I still don’t know how that happened. Eight years later, I’m still surprised to realize I’m 72. Pro-age is the word here!
Love your blog.
I’m singing happy birthday to you now!!!!
Happy Birthday! I so love your daughter for doing that for your Mom! Brings tears to my eyes
Me too! She is the most remarkable young woman.
Happy Birthday, Jennifer!!! You look wonderful and have such a fantastic outlook. I so look forward to reading your blog each day. I am considerably older than you, however, feel a kinship as a woman and enjoy the articles and subjects you write about. Have a wonderful birthday, enjoy your daughter’s company and be safe!!
Happy Birthday, Jennifer! I will be 64 in October and sure donāt feel like Iām in my 60s. I took up golf four years ago when I retired and love the challenge as well as the social time with my husband and friends who also play. Do I look 63? Probably more so since I let my hair go gray recently. But I try to stay current with my hairstyle, wardrobe, and makeup. If I can look half as good and have the great attitude that my mom currently has at 89, I will be a happy camper! Enjoy your special day with your daughter!
Happy Birthday! Thank you for this pro- aging post. I will be 67 in November and honestly cringe at the thought of how inexperienced and naive I was well into my thirties, and even forties. I would not go back, even to erase my mistakes as they are what have taught me the most. When I get down about some aspects of aging, which I sometimes do, I remind myself that aging is a privilege denied to so many and that I am truly blessed to experience aging.
I loved reading your post and how it is exactly how I think..
Great post, Jennifer… one of your best ever! Thanks and happy birthday!
Happy birthday! I hope you enjoy your day! Beautiful picture of your Mom. Age is just a number. We need to celebrate each day we are here.
Happy birthday, Jennifer. Your post is such fun. I’ll be turning 90 on September 14th and couldn’t be happier. I claim 6 children, 14 grandchildren and 8 (so far) great grandchildren. Each day is a blessing and an adventure and my list of things to do grows longer every day, Carpe diem. Diane
That is wonderful, Diane. Thank you
I so agree with you on “anti-aging”; it right up there with all the” ___for Dummies” items. Happy Birthday!
BRAVO! I’m giving you a standing ovation here!! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Good for you and happy, happy birthday!
Yes, Jennifer, we still need you! You are just 3 days older than me, and your thoughts today reflect so many of mine. What perfect timing for them. Itās hard to understand the youth-obsession that exists, but I am proud of my age. My goal is to take care of myself to be strong and healthy and to age gracefully, not to look like my 38 year old daughter. I do appreciate her advice, though. Happy birthday to us. Please keep blogging!
Happy birthday! You’re just a baby compared to me!
Happy Birthday Jenniferš I just turned 70 and my husband is 71. During quarantine we decided to start walking every day and golf more. We’re eating better too. It inspired my husband so much he has lost 20 pounds! All about attitude. I like your attitude on aging.
Happy birthday what a great attitude to have, love this so much. I lost a year too, when I was 27, I thought for a whole year I was 28. Itās weird when you realize you lost a year.
I believe this is my favorite post! I too was a year ahead one full year when I had teens! At 68 I donāt really want to be younger but the best I can be at this age! I keep involved on the board of our CEO, high school entrepreneurial, program. Helping with remote learning for our grandchildren and being with high school students keeps me on my toes. I think being mentally engaged is key.
Happy Birthday to you! Enjoyed so much your engaging article today; itās just filled with optimism, pleasant thoughts and engaging ideas. Iāll be 77 in a couple of months..blessed with capabilities for self care and still desirous of looking fashionable! So continue the good work evidenced here and more power to you!
Happy 64th Birthday to you. Hope you enjoy your special day and that your year is filled with good health and happiness.
I enjoy reading your blog…itās been one of my daily highlights during this crazy, uncertain time. Thank you for all the hard work it takes to put it all together and sharing all your musings.
I’m so glad you’re here with us, Donna
Happy birthday! Enjoy every minute. Give that wonderful daughter a hug, what a nice thing to do. As to creams, I have allergies to tropical fruits/ latex ( comes from rubber tree), so I canāt partake in most creams, Especially ā natural ā because it has allergic properties for me, no matter what the claim. I also have to read all labels, and investigate the wording, so of course Iāve read way too much about false claims. I would suggest, they market as ā beautyā creams, skin protection , or feels so soft, instead, is a more positive direction.
Happy Birthday! Every year is a blessing indeed!
Happy Birthday Jennifer!! Loved this post and I totally agree with getting SO tired of the term anti-aging…like aging isn’t a normal process. The other thing that irks me about these anti-aging products is that they are advertised using a 30 year old!!! They don’t even have any wrinkles! I will turn 63 on Sept 5 and like my mom always says…no one thinks of themselves as the age they actually are. Loved your pics of your mom and your daughter, how sweet! Blessings to you and your family on your special day.
Have a wonderful birthday to match that wonderful attitude!
Happy Birthday! Have a wonderful day and a wonderful year! What a nice way of looking at aging!
Happy Birthday Jennifer. May you and your daughter find a fun way to celebrate it. I will be leaving 64 in two weeks and don’t have a clue how I am supposed to feel, as I still feel much younger, until look in the mirror and shatter that illusion. What a loving thing Vanessa did for herself and her grandmother. As someone previously mentioned, the three of you could be a progression of a single person, all so beautiful. Have a wonderful day.
Yes to your post!! Happy Birthday! Iāve tried to look at aging as my mother did. She aged gracefully and never was hung up on getting older. She didnāt act older or talk about being older. Itās part of life. But like you, I do want to look my best. Iāve been exercising more diligently for a year now and am happy to say that Iāve dropped 15 pounds!! I have 12 more to go so, hereās to another year of being focused on strength and healthy living !! I am interested in your tips for healthy skin. Iām 64 and this was the year the skin is now totally crepey (is that a word)!!! Saggy and crepey are not attractive!! Hope itās not too late to wake up this skin! Thanks for what you do! You look lovely ā¤ļø
I am fighting crepey skin all over now too!! Thanks for being here
hyaluronic and retinol
Happy Birthday Jennifer! Such a well written and thoughtful post today and a lovely photo of your mother. You can certainly see the family resemblance in all three of you, and all with great smiles.
Enjoy your special day and best wishes for many, many more.
Happy Birthday & Enjoy your day even in quarantine! Grab a book or a game board like “Mousetrap” and the largest flute of champagne to CELEBRATE!
Happy birthday, Jennifer! Have a great day!šššš