Why I Refuse To Hide My Age: 5 Ways To Stop The Anti-Aging Obsession

As women, we can be particularly guarded about revealing our age. This can be both self-imposed and due to societal pressures. Many women attempt to hide their age with Botox to take away smile lines, face lifts to tighten skin, and other plastic surgery procedures. I refuse and here's why.
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As women, we can be particularly guarded about revealing our age. This can be both self-imposed and due to societal pressures. Many women attempt to hide their age with Botox to take away smile lines, face lifts to tighten skin, and other plastic surgery procedures in an effort to hide their age and appear younger. I refuse to ever hide my age, lie about my age, or be embarrassed of my age as I get older. Why? Because getting older is a luxury and here's why.

Each birthday that passes reminds me that with age comes greater wisdom, life experiences, more personal growth opportunities, the prospect of a future family that one day grows into grandchildren, and a greater capacity to have fulfilling relationships. Now that I am 33, the lines on my face have started to show which suggest that I am in my 30s, particularly the lines close to my eyes and the faint beginnings of the so-called "frown" line between my eyes. The lines around the crest of my eyes represent my smile and the many laughs I have shared with friends and family, while the "frown" line between my eyes shows my deeply contemplative nature.

However, the most important reason I refuse to hide my age is because not everyone gets the luxury of growing old. There are loved ones and people who have gone before us when they were far too young. My childhood best friend and neighbor, Sarah, was in a car accident and passed away when we were 26 years old. Recently, my dear friend's husband Matt, who was 33 years old, lost his life in a tragic accident. If I become bitter or resentful of aging, try to hide it, or lie about my age then I am dishonoring their lives and the families they leave behind. Sarah and Matt do not get the luxury of growing older. They do not get to cement the lines and wrinkles on their faces representative of a long and full life like I hopefully will have the luxury of continuing to do. Their families do not get to experience getting older with their loved ones physical presence and instead have to rely on their memory alone to carry with them. For these reasons, I refuse to dishonor Sarah and Matt's memory by hiding my age.

Of course, with age comes physical ailments and diseases -- some that can be avoided and others that cannot. Makeup, Botox, and plastic surgery can only sometimes mask age, but they do not prolong a person's life. Instead, healthy eating, physical fitness, and engaging in personal development increases the chances of a long and happy life. Life's too short to feel sad about getting older or hiding your age. I refuse to dishonor the lives of my friends who have passed away much too young by being bitter about getting older. I believe collecting birthdays IS life's greatest luxury.

5 Ways to Let Go of the Attachment to Anti-Aging

1) Practice gratitude. What have you accomplished in your years on this earth? What are you grateful for thus far in your life? You will most likely find that your greatest accomplishments and sources of gratitude have come with age.

2) Honor your loved ones who have passed away too young. How can you honor their memory? Perhaps it's by living life to the fullest and letting-go of the desire not to age. Sarah had an adventurous spirit that touched people all over the world so I will continue to nurture my adventuresome side through travel. Matt had many friendships and was the life of the party, so I will continue to build my friendships and indulge my playful side.

3) Take a long look at your face and body. What's beautiful about your appearance as you age? Perhaps it's those smile lines that give you character or the slight balloon of your belly representative of childbirth. Or, that scar on your left knee that you got from rollerblading with your friends when you were twelve.

4) What do you have to look forward to as you age? Perhaps it's your retirement and all the exciting travel plans that lie ahead of you. Maybe it's watching your nieces, nephews, or children get older and witnessing their accomplishments. Or, the hope for grandchildren to fill your life in older age.

5) What else do you want to do in your lifetime? Stop making excuses and do it. Life's too short for rules. Break the rules. Follow your heart.

Find out more about the author Adrienne Partridge: www.adriennepartridge.com

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