Anti-Aging Rant

 

I stepped away from the computer recently for testing. That is how we spend our days after a certain age - testing. Testing. Testing.

During one of the tests I overheard a conversation on “anti-aging” which gave me chills. Honestly. There is no such thing as anti-aging. Why would you be against the natural progression of aging knowing the alternative? You either age or you pass. (Pass - the polite way of saying “die.” Which of course, we all will do eventually.)

Despite my feelings and a hand-full of other women, anti-aging tagged-products grossed about 44 Billion dollars in 2022, and are predicted to reach 78.70 billion in 2032. That’s just in just U.S. alone. The total planet’s expenditure is staggering. A recent Advdermatology Survey reported women spend on average $877. a year on anti-aging products. Apparently staying young, or at least youthful in appearance, is the goal of the majority of women, with men not far behind.

Obviously, I am in the minority. My total expenditure per year runs roughly $58. 95.  And the labels don’t say anything about halting the effects of aging. I confess to using a light moisturizer after washing my face in the morning.

When I hear…”You look so good!” there is an element of shock to the voice. There’s a silent “but” before the phrase. But How could you be 84?

I cannot brag about my appearance because I have done nothing to enhance it. I have wrinkles and jowls and attempt not to add to the creases with heavy make-up. I have never used night creams or products that promise to turn back time. I haven’t used eye-liner since 1980. My fear is underlining my bottom lid will bring attention to what alarmingly appear to be bags beneath my eyes.  Plus, I standup straight, which sometimes requires concentration.  (Just to be clear, I have no problem with anyone who chooses to enhance their appearance with botox, lip filler or in any other altering way.(Although the chipmunk look is not one of my favorites.)

People complain about Florida’s humidity but in my experience, Florida’s summer humidity is the best moisturizer ever. Most of my life I’ve lived in this very humid state and I’m grateful for that. My mother helped by giving me her fair, English complexion which was a major contribution.

There are health related products which don’t advertise as anti-aging, but in fact are. We all know sun ages the skin. I have used and continue to use a fair amount of sun block. Gone are the days of baby oil and August sun.  A good bronzer and a big straw hat do the same thing without giving you a terminal disease. (And I so love hats!) We’re living lucky! We really are.

Perhaps adding anti-aging products to the medicine cabinet or dressing table, is a woman saying she’s not happy with herself, so if she can change her appearance to one she believes beautiful, her life will change. She will change. She will be happy. But maybe she doesn’t have to change. Maybe she’s beautiful just as she is. 

Please remember and be thankful if you are naturally aging, it’s a privilege denied to many.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PARAPHERNALIA

 Have you started your paraphernalia collection yet?  We collect things throughout our lives; baseball cards, Lladra and Precious Moments figurines, sea shells and baseball caps being among our treasures.

As an aging population in the United States our collectibles are taking on a new look. Staying aware of what’s available to us is a good thing.

Paraphernalia is what we pick up as we enter into our adventures in aging. These are the dodads that make life a bit easier for us no matter how we resist. Obviously the more paraphernalia you own, the more in depth your aging process.

(Let us not forget the aging process is different for all of us. Urged into a “How Old Are You?” game recently, the new acquaintence who suggested the game turned out to be only 76 years old. Just a baby. I won.  We don’t always “look” our age - a more youthful appearance is a relatively new thing - but most of the time we feel our advancing age.)

Collecting paraphernalia often begins with small items at first. For me the first was an inhaler. And then the Pulse Oximeter, a very small item no more than an inch across. A lovely lanyard came with it that I can wear around my neck. Yay. And, I can carry both in a small purse.  

However, there might be larger paraphernalia ahead. Sometimes I feel a bit wobbly and wonder if I need a cane. My local pharmacy carries a large selection, but none with the rhinestone decor I would like. It may be time for me to buy a cane, decorate it myself and have it at the ready. Carrying a cane seems to scream “old” but as my daughter pointed out that might be better than falling. It might be like having an umbrella with you. It you carry an umbrella, it will not rain.  Graduating from a cane to a walker becomes another step in collecting paraphernalia. Walkers also can be bougie decorated to suit your personality.

My husband did not allow me to decorate his walker but among his  collection were a “grabber,” great for retrieving things you can’t reach. He also had a sock pull and grab bars in the shower. Grab bars in the shower are an awesome idea no matter what your age. Slippage happens. We added a shower chair at some point. Also a nice bonus.

Blood pressure monitors, also in my collection now, special electric can openers which do not require continual pressure and jar openers are also popular paraphernalia items. Toilet seat risers, button hooks and extended zipper pulls might be added in time to the collection. It depends. (pun intended)

Paraphernalia items may be purchased at your local pharmacy, at  online specialty stores and by catalogue. I’ve done all three. Thrift stores are also an almost secret source for gently used paraphernalia. Don’t pass them by!

You may not enjoy your new paraphernalia as much as collections in the past, but you will feel safer and that’s a very good thing!