Rising up, one adage that I knew to be true was that you simply completely don’t ask a lady her age. It was at all times one thing to be coy about—the implication being that not solely was it intrusive to ask, however that it’s greatest to not put the lady within the uncomfortable scenario the place both she is could be judged … or may lie. Age was at all times the elephant within the room however as Bob Dylan stated … 🎵 the occasions they’re a’altering 🎶 .
Increasingly more ladies are getting comfy embracing and sharing their age with pleasure and I feel it’s due largely to the truth that ladies have begun to redefine what it means to age on our personal phrases. Whether or not it’s by means of skincare routines, well being regimens, or just the selection to flaunt our silver strands (or not), fashionable ladies are transferring past outdated stereotypes and now have the liberty to outline our personal narratives.
How Turning 50 Used to Look
Once I was a younger lady, 50+ yr previous ladies at all times seemed a selected approach. I’m certain you’ve seen the memes concerning the Golden Ladies, or bear in mind from the present, Dorothy, Rose and Blanche have been ladies of their 50s. On this formative time in my girlhood after I was watching the present (I used to be 10 when it got here out in 1985), they seemed like my grandmothers and have been energetic like my grandmothers however the cause it stands out a lot now could be that by means of at present’s lens they give the impression of being a lot older.
I’m turning 50 in just a few months, I can’t assist however take into consideration what it should have been like throughout that point, and feeling like that was the embodiment of being in your 50s.
How Turning 50 Has Modified
Over time, the portrayal of growing older has actually modified. 10 years in the past The Immediately Present put collectively a slideshow of being in your 50s “then and now” that confirmed stark distinction, particularly among the many ladies. One notable superstar featured was Courteney Cox alongside Aunt Bee from The Andy Griffith present.
In an interview in 2013 in New You journal Cox herself spoke about growing older. The interviewer famous that there have been plenty of reveals on the time the place the primary character was in her 40s or 50s (Cox was starring on the present Cougar City) to which Cox attributed that to, “I really feel like nobody actually appears to be like their age anymore.” Additional within the article, she talks about her worry of turning 50 and likewise her use of anti-aging merchandise together with injectables, which on the time was not typically overtly mentioned, particularly amongst celebrities.
Quick ahead to at present—actually there’ll at all times be individuals who really feel it’s nobody’s enterprise to know their age they usually may even lie about it for worry it may jeopardize their careers, relationships, and so forth., but it surely’s turning into extra frequent that ladies are proudly saying their age and embracing it as a result of extra ladies are growing older on their very own phrases. There is no such thing as a longer one look that represents a selected age.
Immediately, celebrities will endorse and host infomercials speaking about anti-aging merchandise that give them “confidence in my physique and definitely my pores and skin” (Jane Seymore for Crepe Erase). They may also stand outdoors the US Capitol shouting to a crowd, “I’m in menopause, OK?” and insisting that “the disgrace needs to be taken out of menopause. We’ve to speak about this very regular a part of our life that occurs. Our medical doctors can’t even say the phrase to us, not to mention stroll us by means of the journey,” (Halle Berry in Might 2024).
Immediately’s lady has area to age as she needs to—injectables and menopause hormone therapies are spoken of collectively across the espresso store, not whispered quietly about in line for the Women Room. There’s nobody “proper” method to be 50—or any age, for that matter.
Personally, my 50 will embody lotions and serums, hair shade (spoiler alert, I’m not naturally purple), inexperienced drinks, hopefully just a few extra marathons and conversations with my pals concerning the present state of my perimenopause journey. However I can confidently say that these merchandise and my wardrobe aren’t about some quest to be perceived as younger as a result of I’ll inform anybody who asks my age. After which once more, possibly sometime I’ll need beautiful silver hair or to put on glasses on a regular basis, however I like that now it’s as much as me.
Your 50 will look completely totally different from mine—and the way cool is that?! Every of us has the chance to create our personal path ahead … and to personal it.
Hey, yeah … 50 is the brand new 50!
Share your individual experiences and insights about turning 50 and past. —Tam
