We all know that our inside, our true being, is much more important than the outside. Still, I always try to look my best. Present the world my best (outside) version possible. The signs of aging make this job more challenging. As I like to be honest with you, I am going to reveal you all the tricks I am using and have used to hide some effects of aging. At least for a while. My second “how to” post: how to look younger.
Why do I want to look younger? Vanity of course, but I like to think it is also a natural thing. Nature likes everything to be in balance. It is looking for a flow, for smoothness in everything. Rivers do that, plants do that etc. We perceive things as being beautiful when they flow, when they are smooth, when they meet the golden ratio (when you click the link, look especially under the heading Nature). Which, in my opinion, is why women with a “classic” face look much better with pixie grey hair than women whose face is somewhat less “classic” (read: according to the golden ratio). I don’t have a classic face as my lower jaw never properly grew. No real problem, it sits back a little and functions fine.
Hair
I keep on dying my hair as I am afraid that grey hair is not going to look good on me. That is one thing I decided. Next thing to deal with was the grey outgrow. What to do? First I tried to solve it by dying the outgrow every three weeks (I still do), but even then you could see it. Which is why I am a blond now… there is less difference between blond and grey as there is between brown and grey. And my husband says it makes me look softer. It is with great sadness I say farewell to being a brunette. The pros outweigh the cons.
Covering older “parts”
Some women are blessed with smooth skin until they die. I am cursed with skin that ages before time. Yes, sunbathing has something to do with that, but I am convinced it is mostly genes. Looking at my father, I know where it is coming from. Solution: I cover my arms (every couple of years a bit further down haha) as I don’t like the threadiness of the skin. Same applies to my chest. The neckline of my tops has gone up and up. Nowadays I usually wear bootneck tops. Which cannot prevent my throat from showing and that is getting very wrinkled. You can delay such things only for so long. LOL. As the neckline of my tops goes up, up, up, the hemline of my skirts goes down, down, down. Never knew that knees could get old and funny. Now I know.
Teeth
Last week I had my teeth bleached. Something I was contemplating for years but didn’t dare doing from fear it might damage the enamel or make my teeth very sensitive. Then I saw this photo of myself, and that was that……….
Below: the dentist took this close-up of my teeth (the tooth far left is the colour matching instrument of the dentist, not a tooth sticking out of my lip
Below: before and after
OK, granted, the picture on the left is overall more yellow, but I can tell you, there is a huge difference in my appearance now. Not that anybody would notice it straight away as my teeth are never going to be terribly white. The dentist can only do so much. If your teeth were never all white when you were young(er), they won’t become all white after bleaching. It was two hours of discomfort and two days of not drinking coffee or eating/drinking other staining, colouring food/drinks. No pain, no sensitive teeth, nothing. I cannot say whether this applies to everybody, but it does to me and I am sooooo pleased I did it.
Exercise
Of course you need to exercise. Some people love sport and for them it is no problem. I hate even watching sport. Nevertheless I do an hour fitness training twice a week. And I do some exercises at home too. Why? Because it makes me move so much more supple. Nothing ages as much as slow movements. Added bonus… it prevents old age ailments (I am talking from experience). And ailments age you too.
Food
Short and sweat: don’t eat too much and eat healthy food. My love for clothes makes me want to stay the same weight. It would pain me so much if I could not wear something gorgeous hanging in my closet, just because I gained weight. There is a good side to vanity 😉 .
Garments
To avoid my less elastic skin to stick out where ever it chooses to stick out I use body shapers. Especially in black and together with great black briefs and bra, it is not so bad. A bit like a bathing suit. And I take it off before my husband enters the bathroom, I am no fool. No… that is telling a lie. He does sometimes see it and jokes about it. It doesn’t bother him (lucky me).
Plastic surgery
Oh yes I have saved the best for last. Several times have I had plastic surgery: eyelids when I was 40, lower face and neck (throat) when I was 50 and waist sucking when I was 58. Is it a risk? Of course it is. There is always the risk something goes wrong. Is it worth the risk? That is up to you and what you know about your own body. I know for instance that I heal very well and very quickly (good body.. my compliments). And yes, I would have been full of regret if something would have gone wrong and I would have been disfigured only because I am vain. So I will not promote plastic surgery at all. Entirely up to you. But it is a method for looking younger.
Details
If you want to read more details, read my post of November 2012: How to keep a youthful appearance.
Greetje
I am terribly afraid of doctors of any kind and so, for the time being, no surgery or whitening teeth for me!
Getting old is not pleasant and every woman must find her own way to face it, a way that makes her cofident with herself…
For me you are so special and beautiful! With or without wrinkles!!
P.s.
Funny, I have recently noticed the same on myself…knees get old! ( but, as I wasn’t beautiful as a girl …. I don’t care I am not now that I am 50! I feel well and lucky, and this is enough… )
Isn’t it strange the way we see ourselves? When I look at you a see such a beautiful woman!! And you say the same about me. Yet, when we look at ourselves we don’t see that.
As for the wrinkles, they will stay. I did surgery Because I looked sad and miserable. And that is not who I am. Now I just look older which I don’t mind. The title of this post is a little deceiviing. By the way, didn’t know you are afraid of doctors.
Your honesty and humor are so refreshing and delightful. I adore your posts, opinions and topics. Always an inspiration!
That’s me. Always giving a lot of information. Or as some say: “I don’t want to know!! Too much information.” Cannot help it.
(Nobody can ever blackmail me haha.)
I too admire your honesty. You are so open about these things! You were very brave to do the surgery. I would not dare. As some have said, I’m not sure that it’s really about looking younger, but rather not looking miserable. When I look normal, I look quite miserable because of the drooping mouth and dark shadows. Eye lids that are half closed. Sigh. I think the best remedy is just to smile a lot; the best beauty medicine. And to keep (the brain) active. And although I’m often tempted to get the face straightened out, I always feel like it’s a bottomless well. It will just need more and more. Better spend that money on doing things and going places…
You are very wise. And you are right in saying it is about not looking miserable.
For me it hasn’t been a bottomless well. But I did have to restrain myself. Accept what I really cannot change. I am getting older and it shows. Period.
Your honesty about the steps you have taken to keep yourself looking your best is very refreshing. I have considered teeth whitening, but one of my front teeth is dead, and would not be able to be bleached so I had to abandon that idea. I’ve noticed the “crepe-like” skin thing is accelerating, especially on my hands, which unfortunately will always betray a woman’s age. I’m trying to be the best possible me that I can at the age that I am, some days I’m more successful than others.
Very wise Shelley. And you are right, hands will give you away. But also the way you stand and move. Our brain has been programmed from when we were a kid to recognise these (aging) signs, even when you see a person from the back. No use fighting aging.
But, as Sylvia said, it is much more “not wanting to look miserable”. As you might have read in my earlier post of 2012 to which I am linking.
Your complete honesty just cracks me up. I’m sure there are plenty of women who would never share half this information, but that’s what makes you so real and friendly, and beautiful on the inside and outside.
Aging is a tricky business and the way each individual handles it is to be totally embraced with love and happiness for them. I can’t believe you were afraid of teeth whitening and not afraid of plastic surgery (now that got me laughing).
I’m with you on the hair bit, but you already knew that about me. Also with exercising but dang, I wish I could just get away with two days a week, I seriously work out 6 faithful days a week. I also agree with your eating habits, simple just eat right. I haven’t tried any body shapers (I probably should), and I haven’t had any plastic surgery (I’m a chicken on that category), but I applaud any woman or man for that matter who chooses to do so.
Basically I think you are an extremely lovely person both on the inside and out.
I also have a temper, no control over my spending habits, I rather feel lazy than tired, I have little patience… Let me stop here or you won’t want to meet me. LOL
As I said to Cynthia, I had a very good GP who could direct me to the best surgeons in the business. He knew their track record. That is what made me feel “safe”. But of course it is always a risk. And I wear body shapers because I don’t work out 6 times a week but 2 times. I don’t get away with it, I can just not bring myself doing more. Don’t forget I have a fulltime job too.
As to sharing this information, ah well… that is just me.
I just pulled up your 2012 post, just wanted to let you know, I love your fun pixie hair cut (I’m going to do that some day . . .) Although I do love you as a blonde.
Well I wrote out this long response and then bam!….lost it. Blah!
Anyhow I too have tried teeth whitening and basically couldn’t open my mouth for a week. It even hurt when air was on my teeth! LOL A good diet plan though. I can’t do over the counter whiteners either. So instead I’ve given up drinking anything that stains my teeth…apart from a glass of wine now and then. Glad yours worked out well. I can tell the difference.
After my botched surgery I won’t be stepping foot in a hospital unless I’m literally dying. Before I would have been open to the idea of plastic surgery. Not now. I’m pretty sure I’d be the 1% that dies on the table.
Can I convince you to put the blogger meet-up button on your side bar?
bisous
Suzanne
You are very right. With your medical past I would never do plastic surgery either.
And yes I will put the bloggers-meet-up button on my side bar. It will take a few days but I will.
And I have the same trouble with lengthy comments… sometimes I just lose them. Such a bummer.
I think your honesty is just delightful and refreshing and it is your love of life and beautiful smile that is most noticeable about you. I am not sure I would be brave enough to have plastic surgery but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t want it. I would just rather wave a magic wand. Aging can be rather cruel, taking away our mobility, flexibility, strength, and other abilities at various rates, and on top of that we live in a youth obsessed culture. I find many women actually look more beautiful to me as they age, but it is perhaps not a beauty that everyone recognises. I will just have to remember to recognise it in myself too.
Very wise words Shawna. I am getting there too. At a certain point it is absolutely no use trying to keep up. You are older. Period. It brings you wisdom and tranquility too. There may be a lot of doors to fun closing for you, there are also a lot of doors shut who lead to pain. There is a bright side to it.
I’m with Cynthia. You are a positive, happy woman. Your a beautiful person, inside and out! And I too, appreciate your candid posts! I’m happy to hear that the teeth whitening didn’t cause you ongoing sensitivity!
My eyes glazed over as soon as linked through to Wiki, LOL! MATH! But, the golden ratio as it applies to nature had me HOOKED. Thanks for sharing that link. I look forward to reading more! Having said that, I love the photo of you with short hair (2008 I think it was). Your hair looks lovely now, and I see YOU when I look at your photos (maybe the golden ratio at play), but I still think you could wear a pixie cut with your face shape.
You are so sweet for me Sue… Just remember, I only show my best sides on the blog. Wait until you meet real miserable me. LOL
hahaha…i. think. not. 🙂
It is normal to want to look younger or preserve ourselves as if time never actually goes by. I am beginning to feel the effect of life – my hair starts thinning (thanks Dubai hard water for it!) jowl starts sagging, eyelids and the most important thing, fitness level. I hate knowing that I am not as fit as I used to be anymore, I get tired easily and after an hour or two of walking my back started to give. That’s the bit I feel so sad about 🙁
The only wise thing you can do, is accept what you cannot change, compare yourself to others who are worse of and try to exercise and eat well. My recipe.
Your honesty is such a treasure to me. You are also very funny, and fun I can do with this days.
Thank you, my dearest Greetje for being there.
We must meet one day
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx
That is just how I was born. No achievement.
Your honesty is very refreshing and I appreciate it. You are a lovely woman, Greetje. I wonder this… Do you take care of yourself to look young, or to feel good about yourself? In my opinion they are completely different. Feeling good about yourself doesn’t equal youth. When you feel good about yourself you glow regardless to your age. Your post reminds me of a video that blogger, Garance Dore, put out where she interviews the beautiful Costanza. Here is the link. I’ll think you’ll enjoy it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCH_rR6wX9k
You are right aglenda, she is beautiful. A classic beauty according to the golden ratio. I just needed plastic surgery to correct nature, not wanting to look tired before my age. Now I still have wrinkles and as you know, I never photoshop them. Indeed I don’t need to look young or younger, just me.
By the way I am glad I have a good relationship with my husband who is six years older. Poor Constanza.
Thank you for your honesty, dear Greetje!
Vanity – of course! It is not easy to accept our changing bodies, no matter what size we are.
My hooded eyelids do make me look tired and who knows, maybe one day I will have them opened up?
Since I am brunette and only my roots tend to go grey (luckily I am not grey overall yet) I colour my hair every few weeks at home as I can’t be bothered with a hairdresser for doing that!
Great post, Greetje!
Annette | Lady of Style
We all make different choices and we all differ in vanity. Lovely to see you here again Annette.
Greetje,
Like the many people who have responded before you I commend you for your honesty, and I true love your pretty face: the care you take shows, and I understand the plastic surgery decision.
I have done similar things with my hair.; my natural color covers between mousy brown and dirty blonde, which i was fine with until 10 years ago and I saw gray coming in!
My stylist said I would make an excellent platinum blonde, she was right, and voila , my grey hair
is invisible!
You are very slim and well built, I do understand and relate too, the desire to keep your weight stable, so you can fit into that miraculous wardrobe you have acquired. I have lost 3 pounds, and i waited three months to see if it would come back, it did not. I doled out 323 USD yesterday for alterations,
OUCH! I take medicines for autoimmune disease , WHICH i will explain in a post.i also had plastic surgery done to my under eye lids 20 years ago. I loved how I looked, so refreshed, That is not an option for me anymore,
I agree complexions are almost completely genetic, I have inherited good skin from two sides, and completely avoid the sun, which i think you must have gathered after my two vacations when i came home with the very same shade of pallor!
I love the very first picture of yourself, you look natural and beautiful. Perfectly and tastefully adorned, I also like your bleached teeth! I use crest white strips. I also like the back round of that photo, is is so pretty and sort of out of focus, letting you shine.
I am having trouble picturing you as someone with a temper, but I do see that you are a formidible
woman and one who will not suffer fools gladly. You, my dear lady, would be a grand New Yorker!
Thanks for posting this candid and post, which really draws such good responses from all of your readers,
xx, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com/
What a nice comment Elle, thank you for that. As far as my “attitude” is concerned… my father taught me to always treat everyone (and he meant everyone) with respect and say please and thank you. By the samen token, he said, you may expect others to treat you in the same way.
It has given me an equal look on the world. Everybody is truly equal. So I have no fear of my managers, neither do I treat them differently than I would anybody from the canteen staff. It is a wonderful way of living (thanks dad). Which means I would not be rude to anyone (unless I am in a hurry and don’t notice I am being rude… that might happen, but never deliberatly). So I don’t know about the New York bit. But yes, I am no pussycat. Or perhaps I am and watch my claws haha.
The photo is taken by my photo instructor. Ron and I are getting a few private lessons on a Saturday morning from the man who owns the camera shop we buy from . He is great in photographing. And a good teacher.
Hi Greetje, thank you for visiting my blog and leaving me such a sweet comment. I enjoyed reading your post and truly appreciate your honesty. It shows that you a fantastic person in and out and you look fabulous. I always say that when I win the lottery the first thing I will do is straighten my teeth (lol) other than that at the moment I don’t think I need plastic surgery. I dye my hair as well but have been contemplating of late to go natural. Enjoy the rest of your week. xo
How nice of you to pay me a return visit. Most women react to this post like you, saying that they think I am a fantastic person inside and outside. LOL Makes me feel like a saint hahaha. Which I am definitely not. By no means. I am just very open, a gift from my parents. I was born with it. No achievement.
As for going natural (hair I am talking about), have a look at Glenda’s blog. She went natural half a year ago as well. Mind you, her hair is short. This is the link to her blog:
http://sowhattotwenty.blogspot.nl
Thank you Greetje. Glenda’s blog is one of my favorites. She is so gorgeous and writes such beautiful and inspiring posts.
I should have known you found Glenda…
I love this post and with you on the hair dye. If and when I win the lotto I am going to have some surgical work done because I am vain. Until then, I am Happy with the Me I have become and look forward to more of your posts. THANKS!
Well Neti, if I am not fast enough with publishing posts, you can always check out the old ones haha. I always post once a week on a Sunday evening (Dutch time though). And keep loving yourself.
You are beautiful. I’ve told you that on one or two occasions. I clearly see the big difference in the teeth whitening. We women all struggle with aging. It’s a process we must all go through. Thank you for earnestly sharing your experiences and circumstances…xo
I have less problems with getting older, I have come to terms with that and can see the advantages too. But I don’t like looking miserable or sad.
I love the transparency and honesty of an article like this. I know you are like that; I am too.
Due to technical reasons I cannot bleach my teeth, which I regret. Otherwise I would do it in an instant.
I have had a bit of plastic surgery too and wrote about it on my blog.
I should do sports, but apparently hate it even more than you do, hahaha. In general I am less disciplined than you:-(.
You look great, dear!
Big thank you and a smile.
I love your honesty about what you’ve done. I am way too chicken to go under the knife and hoping I have my mom’s great genes (she barely has any wrinkles) at 72. I have been coloring my hair since my teens and will never stop, I don’t want to have any grays. That’s just something, I can not accept.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
I saw a photo of your mother and indeed she is beautiful.
The teeth bleaching made so much difference … you went from gorgeous to fabulous!
Hahaha… that is funny… from gorgeous to fabulous. It is just little old me we are talking about. But thanks Stacey. I appreciate the compliment.
I love the transparency and honesty of an article like this. I know you are like that; I am too.
Due to technical reasons I cannot bleach my teeth, which I regret. Otherwise I would do it in an instant.
I have had a bit of plastic surgery too and wrote about it on my blog.
I should do sports, but apparently hate it even more than you do, hahaha. In general I am less disciplined than you:-(.
You look great, dear!
Big thank you and a smile.
You are beautiful. I’ve told you that on one or two occasions. I clearly see the big difference in the teeth whitening. We women all struggle with aging. It’s a process we must all go through. Thank you for earnestly sharing your experiences and circumstances…xo
I have less problems with getting older, I have come to terms with that and can see the advantages too. But I don’t like looking miserable or sad.
Thank you for your honesty, dear Greetje!
Vanity – of course! It is not easy to accept our changing bodies, no matter what size we are.
My hooded eyelids do make me look tired and who knows, maybe one day I will have them opened up?
Since I am brunette and only my roots tend to go grey (luckily I am not grey overall yet) I colour my hair every few weeks at home as I can’t be bothered with a hairdresser for doing that!
Great post, Greetje!
Annette | Lady of Style
We all make different choices and we all differ in vanity. Lovely to see you here again Annette.
The teeth bleaching made so much difference … you went from gorgeous to fabulous!
Hahaha… that is funny… from gorgeous to fabulous. It is just little old me we are talking about. But thanks Stacey. I appreciate the compliment.
I love this post and with you on the hair dye. If and when I win the lotto I am going to have some surgical work done because I am vain. Until then, I am Happy with the Me I have become and look forward to more of your posts. THANKS!
Well Neti, if I am not fast enough with publishing posts, you can always check out the old ones haha. I always post once a week on a Sunday evening (Dutch time though). And keep loving yourself.
Hi Greetje, thank you for visiting my blog and leaving me such a sweet comment. I enjoyed reading your post and truly appreciate your honesty. It shows that you a fantastic person in and out and you look fabulous. I always say that when I win the lottery the first thing I will do is straighten my teeth (lol) other than that at the moment I don’t think I need plastic surgery. I dye my hair as well but have been contemplating of late to go natural. Enjoy the rest of your week. xo
How nice of you to pay me a return visit. Most women react to this post like you, saying that they think I am a fantastic person inside and outside. LOL Makes me feel like a saint hahaha. Which I am definitely not. By no means. I am just very open, a gift from my parents. I was born with it. No achievement.
As for going natural (hair I am talking about), have a look at Glenda’s blog. She went natural half a year ago as well. Mind you, her hair is short. This is the link to her blog:
http://sowhattotwenty.blogspot.nl
Thank you Greetje. Glenda’s blog is one of my favorites. She is so gorgeous and writes such beautiful and inspiring posts.
I should have known you found Glenda…
Greetje,
Like the many people who have responded before you I commend you for your honesty, and I true love your pretty face: the care you take shows, and I understand the plastic surgery decision.
I have done similar things with my hair.; my natural color covers between mousy brown and dirty blonde, which i was fine with until 10 years ago and I saw gray coming in!
My stylist said I would make an excellent platinum blonde, she was right, and voila , my grey hair
is invisible!
You are very slim and well built, I do understand and relate too, the desire to keep your weight stable, so you can fit into that miraculous wardrobe you have acquired. I have lost 3 pounds, and i waited three months to see if it would come back, it did not. I doled out 323 USD yesterday for alterations,
OUCH! I take medicines for autoimmune disease , WHICH i will explain in a post.i also had plastic surgery done to my under eye lids 20 years ago. I loved how I looked, so refreshed, That is not an option for me anymore,
I agree complexions are almost completely genetic, I have inherited good skin from two sides, and completely avoid the sun, which i think you must have gathered after my two vacations when i came home with the very same shade of pallor!
I love the very first picture of yourself, you look natural and beautiful. Perfectly and tastefully adorned, I also like your bleached teeth! I use crest white strips. I also like the back round of that photo, is is so pretty and sort of out of focus, letting you shine.
I am having trouble picturing you as someone with a temper, but I do see that you are a formidible
woman and one who will not suffer fools gladly. You, my dear lady, would be a grand New Yorker!
Thanks for posting this candid and post, which really draws such good responses from all of your readers,
xx, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com/
What a nice comment Elle, thank you for that. As far as my “attitude” is concerned… my father taught me to always treat everyone (and he meant everyone) with respect and say please and thank you. By the samen token, he said, you may expect others to treat you in the same way.
It has given me an equal look on the world. Everybody is truly equal. So I have no fear of my managers, neither do I treat them differently than I would anybody from the canteen staff. It is a wonderful way of living (thanks dad). Which means I would not be rude to anyone (unless I am in a hurry and don’t notice I am being rude… that might happen, but never deliberatly). So I don’t know about the New York bit. But yes, I am no pussycat. Or perhaps I am and watch my claws haha.
The photo is taken by my photo instructor. Ron and I are getting a few private lessons on a Saturday morning from the man who owns the camera shop we buy from . He is great in photographing. And a good teacher.
I love your honesty about what you’ve done. I am way too chicken to go under the knife and hoping I have my mom’s great genes (she barely has any wrinkles) at 72. I have been coloring my hair since my teens and will never stop, I don’t want to have any grays. That’s just something, I can not accept.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
I saw a photo of your mother and indeed she is beautiful.
I am terribly afraid of doctors of any kind and so, for the time being, no surgery or whitening teeth for me!
Getting old is not pleasant and every woman must find her own way to face it, a way that makes her cofident with herself…
For me you are so special and beautiful! With or without wrinkles!!
P.s.
Funny, I have recently noticed the same on myself…knees get old! ( but, as I wasn’t beautiful as a girl …. I don’t care I am not now that I am 50! I feel well and lucky, and this is enough… )
Isn’t it strange the way we see ourselves? When I look at you a see such a beautiful woman!! And you say the same about me. Yet, when we look at ourselves we don’t see that.
As for the wrinkles, they will stay. I did surgery Because I looked sad and miserable. And that is not who I am. Now I just look older which I don’t mind. The title of this post is a little deceiviing. By the way, didn’t know you are afraid of doctors.
Your honesty about the steps you have taken to keep yourself looking your best is very refreshing. I have considered teeth whitening, but one of my front teeth is dead, and would not be able to be bleached so I had to abandon that idea. I’ve noticed the “crepe-like” skin thing is accelerating, especially on my hands, which unfortunately will always betray a woman’s age. I’m trying to be the best possible me that I can at the age that I am, some days I’m more successful than others.
Very wise Shelley. And you are right, hands will give you away. But also the way you stand and move. Our brain has been programmed from when we were a kid to recognise these (aging) signs, even when you see a person from the back. No use fighting aging.
But, as Sylvia said, it is much more “not wanting to look miserable”. As you might have read in my earlier post of 2012 to which I am linking.
Your honesty and humor are so refreshing and delightful. I adore your posts, opinions and topics. Always an inspiration!
That’s me. Always giving a lot of information. Or as some say: “I don’t want to know!! Too much information.” Cannot help it.
(Nobody can ever blackmail me haha.)
I too admire your honesty. You are so open about these things! You were very brave to do the surgery. I would not dare. As some have said, I’m not sure that it’s really about looking younger, but rather not looking miserable. When I look normal, I look quite miserable because of the drooping mouth and dark shadows. Eye lids that are half closed. Sigh. I think the best remedy is just to smile a lot; the best beauty medicine. And to keep (the brain) active. And although I’m often tempted to get the face straightened out, I always feel like it’s a bottomless well. It will just need more and more. Better spend that money on doing things and going places…
You are very wise. And you are right in saying it is about not looking miserable.
For me it hasn’t been a bottomless well. But I did have to restrain myself. Accept what I really cannot change. I am getting older and it shows. Period.
It is normal to want to look younger or preserve ourselves as if time never actually goes by. I am beginning to feel the effect of life – my hair starts thinning (thanks Dubai hard water for it!) jowl starts sagging, eyelids and the most important thing, fitness level. I hate knowing that I am not as fit as I used to be anymore, I get tired easily and after an hour or two of walking my back started to give. That’s the bit I feel so sad about 🙁
The only wise thing you can do, is accept what you cannot change, compare yourself to others who are worse of and try to exercise and eat well. My recipe.
I think your honesty is just delightful and refreshing and it is your love of life and beautiful smile that is most noticeable about you. I am not sure I would be brave enough to have plastic surgery but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t want it. I would just rather wave a magic wand. Aging can be rather cruel, taking away our mobility, flexibility, strength, and other abilities at various rates, and on top of that we live in a youth obsessed culture. I find many women actually look more beautiful to me as they age, but it is perhaps not a beauty that everyone recognises. I will just have to remember to recognise it in myself too.
Very wise words Shawna. I am getting there too. At a certain point it is absolutely no use trying to keep up. You are older. Period. It brings you wisdom and tranquility too. There may be a lot of doors to fun closing for you, there are also a lot of doors shut who lead to pain. There is a bright side to it.
Well I wrote out this long response and then bam!….lost it. Blah!
Anyhow I too have tried teeth whitening and basically couldn’t open my mouth for a week. It even hurt when air was on my teeth! LOL A good diet plan though. I can’t do over the counter whiteners either. So instead I’ve given up drinking anything that stains my teeth…apart from a glass of wine now and then. Glad yours worked out well. I can tell the difference.
After my botched surgery I won’t be stepping foot in a hospital unless I’m literally dying. Before I would have been open to the idea of plastic surgery. Not now. I’m pretty sure I’d be the 1% that dies on the table.
Can I convince you to put the blogger meet-up button on your side bar?
bisous
Suzanne
You are very right. With your medical past I would never do plastic surgery either.
And yes I will put the bloggers-meet-up button on my side bar. It will take a few days but I will.
And I have the same trouble with lengthy comments… sometimes I just lose them. Such a bummer.
Your honesty is such a treasure to me. You are also very funny, and fun I can do with this days.
Thank you, my dearest Greetje for being there.
We must meet one day
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx
That is just how I was born. No achievement.
Your honesty is very refreshing and I appreciate it. You are a lovely woman, Greetje. I wonder this… Do you take care of yourself to look young, or to feel good about yourself? In my opinion they are completely different. Feeling good about yourself doesn’t equal youth. When you feel good about yourself you glow regardless to your age. Your post reminds me of a video that blogger, Garance Dore, put out where she interviews the beautiful Costanza. Here is the link. I’ll think you’ll enjoy it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCH_rR6wX9k
You are right aglenda, she is beautiful. A classic beauty according to the golden ratio. I just needed plastic surgery to correct nature, not wanting to look tired before my age. Now I still have wrinkles and as you know, I never photoshop them. Indeed I don’t need to look young or younger, just me.
By the way I am glad I have a good relationship with my husband who is six years older. Poor Constanza.
With your post title, I wouldn’t be surprised if you crash the internet. I follow most of the things you do too, except for plastic surgery on which I am undecided. I used to think never, but who knows?
When I am really, REALLY dissatisfied with the effects of aging I surrender! At the same time I remind myself that it’s not necessarily HOW I look, it’s what I DO that counts. It sounds terribly trite but I believe it. Then inevitably I also become dissatisfied with what I’m doing as well. Ha!
Your anti-aging secrets are working fantastically. But best thing of all is your young brain.
If you have also read my first post (to which I am linking at the bottom of this post) you will know it was a matter of not wanting to look washed out and tired all the time. Just bad (skin) luck and looking much older than my age. I had the opportunity to do something about it and did. That’s all. And I am still far from perfect haha.
I look forward to comparing our imperfections when we meet this summer! LOL.
Your complete honesty just cracks me up. I’m sure there are plenty of women who would never share half this information, but that’s what makes you so real and friendly, and beautiful on the inside and outside.
Aging is a tricky business and the way each individual handles it is to be totally embraced with love and happiness for them. I can’t believe you were afraid of teeth whitening and not afraid of plastic surgery (now that got me laughing).
I’m with you on the hair bit, but you already knew that about me. Also with exercising but dang, I wish I could just get away with two days a week, I seriously work out 6 faithful days a week. I also agree with your eating habits, simple just eat right. I haven’t tried any body shapers (I probably should), and I haven’t had any plastic surgery (I’m a chicken on that category), but I applaud any woman or man for that matter who chooses to do so.
Basically I think you are an extremely lovely person both on the inside and out.
I also have a temper, no control over my spending habits, I rather feel lazy than tired, I have little patience… Let me stop here or you won’t want to meet me. LOL
As I said to Cynthia, I had a very good GP who could direct me to the best surgeons in the business. He knew their track record. That is what made me feel “safe”. But of course it is always a risk. And I wear body shapers because I don’t work out 6 times a week but 2 times. I don’t get away with it, I can just not bring myself doing more. Don’t forget I have a fulltime job too.
As to sharing this information, ah well… that is just me.
I just pulled up your 2012 post, just wanted to let you know, I love your fun pixie hair cut (I’m going to do that some day . . .) Although I do love you as a blonde.
I’m with Cynthia. You are a positive, happy woman. Your a beautiful person, inside and out! And I too, appreciate your candid posts! I’m happy to hear that the teeth whitening didn’t cause you ongoing sensitivity!
My eyes glazed over as soon as linked through to Wiki, LOL! MATH! But, the golden ratio as it applies to nature had me HOOKED. Thanks for sharing that link. I look forward to reading more! Having said that, I love the photo of you with short hair (2008 I think it was). Your hair looks lovely now, and I see YOU when I look at your photos (maybe the golden ratio at play), but I still think you could wear a pixie cut with your face shape.
You are so sweet for me Sue… Just remember, I only show my best sides on the blog. Wait until you meet real miserable me. LOL
hahaha…i. think. not. 🙂
Love reading your posts- you’re such a positive,happy woman and it shows! You have such a great attitude and are ever so stylish…..I am always struck by our similarities even though we are oceans apart geographically. I , too love fashion and always try to look put together and enjoy wearing edgier clothes than I would have even 10 years ago. This post was particularly of interest to me as I am considering plastic surgery as I approach 60…haven’t quite decided yet. Look forward to reading more great posts!
Plastic surgery is always tricky Cynthia. If you do decide to do it, please be very careful in finding the right person to perform the surgery on you. I was fortunate with my GP. He was a miracle in finding the right person for a medical job. He also knew their references!! And don’t go for low costs when it concerns your body. You only have one. On the other hand: paying top budget doesn’t necessarily mean you get the best person. It is a jungle out there.
Thanks very much for your comment, always nice to “meet” kindred souls.
With your post title, I wouldn’t be surprised if you crash the internet. I follow most of the things you do too, except for plastic surgery on which I am undecided. I used to think never, but who knows?
When I am really, REALLY dissatisfied with the effects of aging I surrender! At the same time I remind myself that it’s not necessarily HOW I look, it’s what I DO that counts. It sounds terribly trite but I believe it. Then inevitably I also become dissatisfied with what I’m doing as well. Ha!
Your anti-aging secrets are working fantastically. But best thing of all is your young brain.
If you have also read my first post (to which I am linking at the bottom of this post) you will know it was a matter of not wanting to look washed out and tired all the time. Just bad (skin) luck and looking much older than my age. I had the opportunity to do something about it and did. That’s all. And I am still far from perfect haha.
I look forward to comparing our imperfections when we meet this summer! LOL.
Love reading your posts- you’re such a positive,happy woman and it shows! You have such a great attitude and are ever so stylish…..I am always struck by our similarities even though we are oceans apart geographically. I , too love fashion and always try to look put together and enjoy wearing edgier clothes than I would have even 10 years ago. This post was particularly of interest to me as I am considering plastic surgery as I approach 60…haven’t quite decided yet. Look forward to reading more great posts!
Plastic surgery is always tricky Cynthia. If you do decide to do it, please be very careful in finding the right person to perform the surgery on you. I was fortunate with my GP. He was a miracle in finding the right person for a medical job. He also knew their references!! And don’t go for low costs when it concerns your body. You only have one. On the other hand: paying top budget doesn’t necessarily mean you get the best person. It is a jungle out there.
Thanks very much for your comment, always nice to “meet” kindred souls.