What a fantastic read. Nearing a truthful and much deserved 73, I'm living the do-over life. Not in the physical realm, for I have long ago, traded in my Henri Bendel/ Bergorf Goodman wardrobe, for an L.L.Bean kinda lifestyle. Toss in an array of thrift shop eccentricities, and you have a the causal classic. Life is too short , they say, I say it all happens in a day. Grab your favorite tee shirt, either literally or metaphorically and color your world to suit your soul. So, yes, my grey is coming in...finally, but hey, I figure I look the way I look and that's fine with me...well except when I'm watching reruns of Sex in the City. I love the saying "you do you" . Thanks for the great article.
I loved this whole thing. And now off to buy your book. But oh... have to warn you. 50 was indeed the new 40, 60 the new 50 but 70 is 70. I hope you prove me wrong!!! Thanks for this lovely essay On Vanity!
Love this piece. So much of it speaks to me. I work in the public eye under bright lights. I'm not going down without a fight until 70. Until then I'm coloring my hair, trying magic potions, doing a bit of filler and a one-spot botox treatment. I'm not delusional. At some point none of this will do what its supposed to do. But for now each time I hit that bright light I'm confident in my own skin I'm doing the best I can. Just for today. Great read.
I started reading this post and thought hmmmm, this reminds me of a book I loved that I read a few years ago. LOL! It's this one!
So, IMO, anyone who hasn't read Perfection should. I thought about it long after I'd finished, and clearly it still resides in my head today. At the time, I thought umami was mistranslated as "perfection" and wondered about the title. I'm going to re-read and see if my brain has caught up to my psyche, which tells me the title is, well, perfect.
Loved this piece, Julie, and loved your book, Perfection, which I read years ago. Btw, I, too, am in denial about aging and happily color my grey hair back to its former brunette status, with a few highlights tossed in for fun. :)
I loved coming upon this today when I was just checking in to see what I'd missed lately. I'm in an odd, in-between stage with respect to appearance. I let my hair go grey but I also let it grow long and have it layered in a way I'd always liked when I was younger. After years of failure, I have found and pay bid dollars for a bra that fits. I wear makeup - not a lot -- but I am proficient and comfortable after years of avoiding it. I'm in my sixties and feeling, not younger, but good. Very good. Thanks for the great piece. I'll check out your book!
Coming to this late, and I loved every word. I too can't let myself go gray--I last about three weeks, then out comes the henna and indigo. Thanks for this!
I enjoyed this so much. At 52 I am in deep denial (and deep perimenopause) but mostly because I want to continue to live as if I have all the time in the world. A lot of it is vanity but a lot of it is a refusal to become what society expects of aging women -- quiet, boring, out of it, asexual. I will not go gently!
One more comment: I loved this piece. All of it. But rather than try to hang on to young beauty, which requires vigilance and effort, and where we can't compete and are doomed to failure, why not embrace the beauty of age, of a life lived well and a face that reflects it. Interior beauty is the ticket.
I know, I know. The powers that be won't accept it and we won't keep that job or lose that husband. I understand. We still need to accept, no! celebrate a full and rich womanhood at all stages.
What a fantastic read. Nearing a truthful and much deserved 73, I'm living the do-over life. Not in the physical realm, for I have long ago, traded in my Henri Bendel/ Bergorf Goodman wardrobe, for an L.L.Bean kinda lifestyle. Toss in an array of thrift shop eccentricities, and you have a the causal classic. Life is too short , they say, I say it all happens in a day. Grab your favorite tee shirt, either literally or metaphorically and color your world to suit your soul. So, yes, my grey is coming in...finally, but hey, I figure I look the way I look and that's fine with me...well except when I'm watching reruns of Sex in the City. I love the saying "you do you" . Thanks for the great article.
I loved this whole thing. And now off to buy your book. But oh... have to warn you. 50 was indeed the new 40, 60 the new 50 but 70 is 70. I hope you prove me wrong!!! Thanks for this lovely essay On Vanity!
Love this piece. So much of it speaks to me. I work in the public eye under bright lights. I'm not going down without a fight until 70. Until then I'm coloring my hair, trying magic potions, doing a bit of filler and a one-spot botox treatment. I'm not delusional. At some point none of this will do what its supposed to do. But for now each time I hit that bright light I'm confident in my own skin I'm doing the best I can. Just for today. Great read.
I started reading this post and thought hmmmm, this reminds me of a book I loved that I read a few years ago. LOL! It's this one!
So, IMO, anyone who hasn't read Perfection should. I thought about it long after I'd finished, and clearly it still resides in my head today. At the time, I thought umami was mistranslated as "perfection" and wondered about the title. I'm going to re-read and see if my brain has caught up to my psyche, which tells me the title is, well, perfect.
Loved this piece, Julie, and loved your book, Perfection, which I read years ago. Btw, I, too, am in denial about aging and happily color my grey hair back to its former brunette status, with a few highlights tossed in for fun. :)
I loved this essay! And my blond hair isn’t going anywhere.
Lovely words. Thanks for this Julie! I’m with ya!
Anne-christine (Tell Me Everything ‘stack).
I loved coming upon this today when I was just checking in to see what I'd missed lately. I'm in an odd, in-between stage with respect to appearance. I let my hair go grey but I also let it grow long and have it layered in a way I'd always liked when I was younger. After years of failure, I have found and pay bid dollars for a bra that fits. I wear makeup - not a lot -- but I am proficient and comfortable after years of avoiding it. I'm in my sixties and feeling, not younger, but good. Very good. Thanks for the great piece. I'll check out your book!
Coming to this late, and I loved every word. I too can't let myself go gray--I last about three weeks, then out comes the henna and indigo. Thanks for this!
Love the attitude; do not go gentle into the night.
BTW, most men age eventually, grow old and much more lonely then women, except a few lucky escape artists.
A stunning essay. I love your writing and look forward to reading Perfection.
Oh, and I will adamantly maintain my auburn locks as long as possible.
love this !
I enjoyed this so much. At 52 I am in deep denial (and deep perimenopause) but mostly because I want to continue to live as if I have all the time in the world. A lot of it is vanity but a lot of it is a refusal to become what society expects of aging women -- quiet, boring, out of it, asexual. I will not go gently!
So relatable.
Another EXCELLENT read.
One more comment: I loved this piece. All of it. But rather than try to hang on to young beauty, which requires vigilance and effort, and where we can't compete and are doomed to failure, why not embrace the beauty of age, of a life lived well and a face that reflects it. Interior beauty is the ticket.
I know, I know. The powers that be won't accept it and we won't keep that job or lose that husband. I understand. We still need to accept, no! celebrate a full and rich womanhood at all stages.