Working with (and loving) what you’ve got. By the Autumn of our years, we have learned to accept and love our individual beauty . . . right? As a teen, I used to page through Seventeen Magazine and pick the girls I’d rather look like. Naturally they were quite my opposites: long, straight hair, slim hips, perfect smiles. I had curly/unruly brown hair, was a bit chubby and had a crooked smile.
Now, though I still thumb through fashion and style Instagrams, I don’t find myself wanting to trade places with the beauties. Ironic, because though I am well past prime beauty age, as defined by our culture, I am so much more content. This is easier! I not only accept my fine, curly hair, I embrace it. When it’s hot and humid (frequently, here), my hair gets bigger and crazier. Let it rain!
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I did get my teeth straightened in my 20’s, but they are not perfect, just mine. I have a long neck but short legs, so what? I like to wear jewelry that shows off my neck, and skirts rather than trousers (you don’t know where my legs begin!) My skin is palest-pale, so I don’t try to tan, and enjoy wearing ivory mineral makeup.
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“Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit”
-e.e. cummings
I am working with what I have, in a spirit of more contentment than my 30 year-old self would have predicted. Not dead yet, and not trying to be something I can never be. One of my favorite quotes from Oscar Wilde sums it up: “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.”
“The most adventurous journey to embark on; is the journey to yourself, the most exciting thing to discover; is who you really are, the most treasured pieces that you can find; are all the pieces of you, the most special portrait you can recognize; is the portrait of your soul.”
–C. Joybell C.
Can you share any ways you are Loving What You’ve Got?
Stay fabulous, xo
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Wear what you love, always. Here are some goodies to browse:
Please be aware that links to vendors may be affiliate links. I may benefit from your purchases through the links on the blog. Header photo by Salman Hossain Saif on Unsplash.
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I’m doing my best to work with what I’ve got, although I wish I would have appreciated my fitter, slimmer body more when I had it – I took it for granted because I didn’t have to work for it. My waist is much thicker and just like Sheila, a lot of my clothes don’t fit anymore. Definitely more maintenance is required now.
I just love your blog and I especially love this post. Someone mentioned Botox to me and my forehead wrinkles, and I did think about it briefly, but you know what, I have a very expressive face and it shows. I don’t think I want to go through life without expression. So I guess that’s what I’m embracing, my aging face!
Good morning Nicole and thanks for the kind words. I love an expressive face! Keep embracing yours, and stay fab, xx.
Giving fewer f**ks as I’ve gotten older has been a truly liberating experience. A lot of things that used to bother me just roll off my back now. I don’t like that my waist has gotten thicker as some of my clothes don’t fit, but eh, they are just clothes (I can find more!).
Growing out my grey was a great experience, and I’m cheered to see so many amazing women rocking their own natural colours during the pandemic.
Hi sheila, good to see you! I agree about the liberation that comes with a bit of age. And cheers to all the silver sisters who embrace the natural. You’re looking fab in your black and white plaid coat! Stay excellent, xx.
Last year I had a perfect blonde bob thanks to the ministrations of a top stylist. This year, thanks to chemo, I have a grey crew cut, and I’m kind of loving it! The other day, someone I don’t know (so someone who doesn’t know why I have it) complemented my cut. I don’t know how short I’ll keep it, but I doubt that I’ll go back to the way it was. I don’t feel like that person any longer, and I like the grey.
Hello Margaret. I love your hair story! i bet you own that grey crewcut and look fabulous. Best to you, xx.
Your post share reminded me of a gift of self appreciation and acceptance. one feels in maturity thank you . I have adopted the philosophy of getting myself together the best I can each day and just enjoying life. I also very enjoy your favorites to browse for items to enhance style for fun and creativity.
Good morning Joan and thanks for coming by. Hooray for just enjoying life, it’s a wonderful outlook! Stay well, xx.
I feel like it took me until I was 70 to accept that I was getting older and now I try to find ways to look attractive even with my wrinkles. Best thing I ever did was go gray. I love reading your takes on getting older. Thanks
Hi Louise and thanks for your comments. Going gray is freeing, and, I think, a beautiful way to go. Have a wonderful evening, xx.
what saddens me is that I never thought of myself as attractive in my younger years. When I look back at photos I am surprised at how actually pretty I was. I think if I could have been more accepting of myself I would have had more confidence.
Hello Darby and thanks for your comment. Many of us have this revelation at midlife – that we were perfectly lovely and couldn’t accept it in our youth. We can enjoy our appearance now, whatever our age. Stay fab, xx.
Never too much volume, Patti!! I actually laughed out loud at the wig photo. Thanks for that! I guess I’d have to say that, like you, I stay current with fashion but not trendy and play up my strengths- a big and ever-ready smile and long legs.
Hi Kerri-Lee and thanks for coming over! Yeah, that wig might be too extra even for me. Having an ever-ready smile is a wonderful attribute! rock on, xx.