I have never been a vain person.
But as I get older, I find myself wishing I had been at least a little.
Pregnancy changed my skin – I know have spots and bumps on my face I never had before. I don’t like them, because they feel like a foreign object, not a part of the me I know.
Menopause (thanks to an emergency hysterectomy 6 years ago) has taken its toll on my body. I am now no longer the high-metabolism girl with skinny jeans…and I’ve had no luck breaking old habits from those days.
The circles under my eyes, a permanent genetic mark I’ve always had (and Kennedy carries now), have darkened into deep crevices of dark color that require makeup and camera/photo-editing magic to hide.
Still…
In many ways I feel the best I have in my life. Â Not about my outward signs, but about me.
I posted last year on my birthday about feeling like I was in the prime of my life.
It still holds true, although it wavered a bit over the long and very cold winter because in winter I tend to hermit myself inside and never, ever, go out.
But now the whether is turning. Events are planned, some lifelong dreams have been met, and I’m ready to set some new goals.
And try some new crazy things to push myself again.
The A-Z Challenge has over 1900 participants, all blogging from A to Z this month. Check them out and see if you can’t find a few new favorites!!
I can so relate. I realize now that there may be some self-care i could have done as a younger person that would reflect positively on me now. But, overall, I am comfortable with my appearance. The whole weight issue continues to boondoggle me. No matter what I weigh, it’s either not the right thing, or I fear I won’t be able to hold onto it. It’s a work in progress, just like the rest of me!
SiouxsiesMusings
Thanks, Susan.
Yeah, last year I did really well about my weight. I was running regularly and even did a 5k. I wasn’t anywhere near my target weight, but I felt better about myself. Winter really did a number on me, and now with my foot injured running is out again. ~sigh~ I miss the days of high metabolism!
I know this feeling too well. It’s hard getting older. Thanks for sharing. Jennifer a.k.a Urban Gypsy Girl
Thank you for stopping by, Jennifer! It is hard getting older…I still have a mental picture of me from years ago…and it just doesn’t mesh with what I see in the mirror and I hate that. But I’m trying to accept it.
I definitely agree. I look back on my teenage self, convinced that I was fat when I was a toothpick with fairly perfect skin. Fast forward ten years and I’ve got a mommy pooch that just won’t go away. I hope I can at least teach my daughters to appreciate themselves at each phase of their life.
Have fun with the rest of a-z. Thanks for sharing your story. 🙂
That’s the trick, isn’t it, Jessica? Teaching our daughters not to have the body image issues we do. I wonder if my mother ever worried about it. I remember her as the “I never leave the house without makeup” mom…I wish I was the same. lol. I’m too lazy 😀
Thanks for stopping by!!