The worrying about how we're going to get through the next 25 years and can we afford to get sick again is real. Luckily I'm so poor I don't have to worry about a mortgage. I'll tell you what, though, it's the older women with nothing left to lose that worry the Patriarchy: they were the "witches" in the past, requiring a femicide in order for Capitalism to take hold. I wonder if we can coalesce into a real threat again, and this time, win.
I enjoy all of these interviews, but only rarely do I see something like my own sensibility so wholly on the screen. In other words, I LOVE HER and would like to be her friend.
This interview really spoke to me, especially the working in media part (sigh) and I found her words so inspiring. My favorite quote: “Turns out it’s surprisingly easy to not give a shit what 30 year-old men think of you.”
What a wonderful interview! Funny, life-affirming, compassionate, kick-ass -- everything important to a good life is here. Mary Elizabeth Williams is a delight and inspiration.
This is such an inspirational interview. I'm blown away by every single answer Mary Elizabeth gives to this questionnaire. It's a must-read! And it really resonates for me, too. I'm even writing about some of the issues she raises about the 50s in a fictional way (I just posted about it!!), so this life stage is really on my mind. So thank you to Mary Elizabeth and to Oldster for publishing this!
I’m so glad you feel that way. I often get angry pushback from anything I write based on a “men as well as women”. premise. I published a memoir entitled “Men as Friends”. It’s targeted to men but women like it too. I wouldn’t dare write a sequel called “Men and Women as Friends” but at 88 most of my best friends are women. 🤷🏼♂️
Frankly, I felt I was taking a chance by responding at all to your very honest essay but I was greatly rewarded for it. Thank you. 🙏🏻🪷
I believe that women have as many eggs as we have fucks to give. At a certain point, we’re all out of both, and it’s glorious. I notice that people still have as many opinions about what I should do and how I should live as they did when I was 25, but now I’m like, what’s missing in your life that you’re so invested in mine? Mary Elizabeth Williams
Exactly, Mary !!!!
What a terrific interview. Thanks so much , Mary Elizabeth and Sari ❤️❤️❤️
As another Mary Elizabeth (!) I loved this ….every word. And thank her for being open about dyeing her hair! With all the “go” gray rhetoric was lovely to read about someone pushing back on that and wanting to keep that part of her identity.
Brilliant. >>I believe that women have as many eggs as we have fucks to give. At a certain point, we’re all out of both, and it’s glorious. I notice that people still have as many opinions about what I should do and how I should live as they did when I was 25, but now I’m like, what’s missing in your life that you’re so invested in mine?<<
How have I never heard of Mary Elizabeth Williams before now?? Instantly a fan, and I’m printing out this interview, highlighting (so many!) wisdom nuggets, and putting it up at my desk. What a light. And yes, Elizabeth, what a HELP you have been to me via your answers to this interview. You’ll never know. But thank you 😊
There are so many many pieces of true wisdom here. What an incredible person who truly knows herself, isn't that the journey we all go on in our earlier years and strive to get to. I really loved "I have also been pleasantly surprised by my increasing immunity to the male gaze". I find this happening to me now, I've just joined a very cool gym in my neighborhood of Bondi Beach and everyone there is young and could be a model. I love the fact that I can work out next to so many young men and unlike the other women there not have to worry that I don't look perfect or that sweat is dripping down my body (and not in a sexy way). Immunity to anyone's gaze is the ultimate freedom. Thank you M.E.W for this article. One to digest and to come back to.
High five to you and thank you! I'm at a university right now and I was so intimidated to use the gym because I thought, it'll be this old bag and a bunch of proper fit 20 year olds. And it mostly is and no one gives a single fuck.
The worrying about how we're going to get through the next 25 years and can we afford to get sick again is real. Luckily I'm so poor I don't have to worry about a mortgage. I'll tell you what, though, it's the older women with nothing left to lose that worry the Patriarchy: they were the "witches" in the past, requiring a femicide in order for Capitalism to take hold. I wonder if we can coalesce into a real threat again, and this time, win.
💪🏼
I was away earlier this month with a bestie and this was 80% of the conversation.
My friends say I actually am a witch, now. I’m glad that they don’t actually kill us these days.
I enjoy all of these interviews, but only rarely do I see something like my own sensibility so wholly on the screen. In other words, I LOVE HER and would like to be her friend.
Same!
Same here!
<3
I just subscribed to get to know you!
Oh, yay! That's so delightful.
Friends!
Just subscribed, Asha!
Really, really loved this one ❤️
Thanks for saying so!
This interview really spoke to me, especially the working in media part (sigh) and I found her words so inspiring. My favorite quote: “Turns out it’s surprisingly easy to not give a shit what 30 year-old men think of you.”
Thank you! And it gets easier every damn day.
What an interesting person. I’d love to read her responses when she is my age, 78.
I hope I'm here to do just that!
What a wonderful interview! Funny, life-affirming, compassionate, kick-ass -- everything important to a good life is here. Mary Elizabeth Williams is a delight and inspiration.
Thank you!
This is such an inspirational interview. I'm blown away by every single answer Mary Elizabeth gives to this questionnaire. It's a must-read! And it really resonates for me, too. I'm even writing about some of the issues she raises about the 50s in a fictional way (I just posted about it!!), so this life stage is really on my mind. So thank you to Mary Elizabeth and to Oldster for publishing this!
Thank you, and I've been thinking about that question you posed!
Gorgeous interview. And thank you for redefining the invisibility shield as a superpower!
I’m so glad you feel that way. I often get angry pushback from anything I write based on a “men as well as women”. premise. I published a memoir entitled “Men as Friends”. It’s targeted to men but women like it too. I wouldn’t dare write a sequel called “Men and Women as Friends” but at 88 most of my best friends are women. 🤷🏼♂️
Frankly, I felt I was taking a chance by responding at all to your very honest essay but I was greatly rewarded for it. Thank you. 🙏🏻🪷
Thanks Sari. I feel cheered every time I read her. This was great.
She’s amazing!
I feel the same about you, Elizabeth!
What a lovely thing to hear.
I believe that women have as many eggs as we have fucks to give. At a certain point, we’re all out of both, and it’s glorious. I notice that people still have as many opinions about what I should do and how I should live as they did when I was 25, but now I’m like, what’s missing in your life that you’re so invested in mine? Mary Elizabeth Williams
Exactly, Mary !!!!
What a terrific interview. Thanks so much , Mary Elizabeth and Sari ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you!
Wow! planning to return to this one again and again
As another Mary Elizabeth (!) I loved this ….every word. And thank her for being open about dyeing her hair! With all the “go” gray rhetoric was lovely to read about someone pushing back on that and wanting to keep that part of her identity.
Clairol can take all my money even when I'm unemployed!
Agreed! And I’m a redhead too.
Brilliant. >>I believe that women have as many eggs as we have fucks to give. At a certain point, we’re all out of both, and it’s glorious. I notice that people still have as many opinions about what I should do and how I should live as they did when I was 25, but now I’m like, what’s missing in your life that you’re so invested in mine?<<
How have I never heard of Mary Elizabeth Williams before now?? Instantly a fan, and I’m printing out this interview, highlighting (so many!) wisdom nuggets, and putting it up at my desk. What a light. And yes, Elizabeth, what a HELP you have been to me via your answers to this interview. You’ll never know. But thank you 😊
I’m so glad! Thank you!
There are so many many pieces of true wisdom here. What an incredible person who truly knows herself, isn't that the journey we all go on in our earlier years and strive to get to. I really loved "I have also been pleasantly surprised by my increasing immunity to the male gaze". I find this happening to me now, I've just joined a very cool gym in my neighborhood of Bondi Beach and everyone there is young and could be a model. I love the fact that I can work out next to so many young men and unlike the other women there not have to worry that I don't look perfect or that sweat is dripping down my body (and not in a sexy way). Immunity to anyone's gaze is the ultimate freedom. Thank you M.E.W for this article. One to digest and to come back to.
High five to you and thank you! I'm at a university right now and I was so intimidated to use the gym because I thought, it'll be this old bag and a bunch of proper fit 20 year olds. And it mostly is and no one gives a single fuck.
Here’s to no fucks given! Yay!