Ah, "aging!" Webster's dictionary defines it as "growing old; to ripen or mature over a period of time". Synonyms, according to Webster's Thesaurus, include such words as "declining, waning, failing, sinking, mellowing, wearing out". You get the picture, so no wonder most Americans today, especially women, cringe at the thought and do most anything to try to conceal the outward signs.
I think the resistance to aging is a relatively new concept as life was physically harder and life expectancy was considerably shortened. A woman who was born in the first two decades of the 1900's only had a life expectancy of approximately 48-54 years. Generally speaking, women married early, had multiple pregnancies, and put in hard physical labor to run a home or live on a farm. The spread of electricity and the Industrial Revolution led to the manufacturing of household machines such as the early vacuum cleaner, toaster, electric ironer, and washing machine that took the place of sheer hand labor. Nevertheless, despite increasing technology and the production of more gadgets and appliances, there seemed to be an unwritten code that once one hit the age of 40, women took on a new appearance. Clothing changed to drab or muted colors, functional shoes were purchased, hair styles stopped being trendy and grey hair was accepted, makeup, if any, became very subtle and one's entire personna seemed to change. I witnessed this in my own Mother when she entered her 40's. The real anti-aging movement took place in the Revolution of the 60's. The youth found their voice and began the large scale protest against the "Establishment". Their new slogan was "Don't trust anyone over 30". Feminism, The Pill, and the new cosmetic surgical techniques suddenly made us a youth-cult society and marketing and advertising welcomed it. (Are you looking old? Poor thing - you're no longer that relevant anymore, but just try our product now and see the difference!) Women's magazines embraced this new philosophy and featured ads and articles on the latest products that would take away wrinkles and erase years from your face. Each passing decade placed more emphasis on how not to look your biological age. Today, modern surgical breakthroughs replace old worn out joints, regrow hair, erase those pesky facial lines and amazing pharmacology products as well as better nutritional intake and gym workouts keep us healthy and more physically fit. Gone are those ignorant days when obesity was a sign of wealth and success!
Having said all that, there does come a day where one has to face the reality that one is indeed aging. For me, it began with my feet! I bought my first pair of high heeled shoes as a sophomore in high school and that began my passionate, obsessive love affair with them. As a "vertically challenged" person, they not only lifted my height but definitely my self image and confidence. Having a small foot, I wore the same size that quality shoe stores used as models in their display windows and as the seasons changed as sales began, I could always get a huge discount on those "odd" sized shoes. I amassed quite a number of different styles, texture and colors over the years but they all shared a common factor - they had three inch heels and pointed toes. Along the way, I ignored many a warning that I was ruining my feet, that someday I would develop such things as curled toes, overlapping toes, bunions, falling arches, compromised circulation - such nonsense I told myself, as I continued to strut about quite confidently. Fast forward several decades to my mid sixties, and almost overnight, I discovered I had developed what I preferred to call "problem feet". That led me to a podiatrist which in turn led me to a very expensive boutique shoe store where I found imported Italian leather shoes with wider toes, lower heels but still having a real dash of style and flair! They were quite stunning but costly, leaving my husband to exclaim "some husbands buy insurance to cover the cost of their wife's jewelry, but I think I need it to cover the cost of Marty's shoes". Fast forward another nearly two decades and though I haven't gone the route of athletic shoes yet, you now see me wearing Drew orthopedic, ground hugging , sensible shoes. I have finally conceded my feet are "declining, waning, failing, and wearing out". In other words, they have aged.
Stay tuned for the next "aging reveal" as I face reality.
😀Fascinating musing about Aging. From a girls first heels to her recognition that there is
a downside and a trip to the podiatrist. I was interested to learn that obesity was a sign of wealth and success. I must have been born in the wrong century as I tend to obesity.
I have occasionally worn heels, but decided why bother?! Given my genes 😉, I'm starting a little earlier with the sensible ( but stylish ) shoes. As we age, we will all come to some form of acceptance - it just takes some of us a little longer.
Loving these blog postings ... love the “vertically challenged” description and the “Currier and Ives” winter description. Great job!!