I’ve openly spoken about getting Botox, injections and even plastic surgery someday. Sooner rather than later. Recently, I’ve changed my mind.
I have not changed my mind about being open to it and accepting about it for others (because first and foremost, what others do with their bodies is not my business) but I have changed my mind about it being for me.
I’m 33. I have always thankfully had really good skin and looked younger than my age. However, I am getting to my mid 30’s and I do have things like forehead wrinkles, laugh lines, and sun spots. I cannot be mistaken for 22 anymore. Let’s get honest - I can’t be mistaken for 25 anymore, maybe even 28. I probably look a solid 30.
Are there times when I compare my aging to how my friends are aging? Absolutely. I’m a woman in a world that tells us aging must be stopped at all costs. But the more I see the work that is getting done around me, the more I want to just age gracefully.
I’m using lotions and serums and sunscreens and I wash my face and do all the standard regimented things we are taught - but I think that’s going to be it for me.
I say all of this and I very well could change my mind in six months or six years. And that’s OK too.
So what’s changed? A lot. I consider the cost of what I see some people spending to maintain and I would rather spend the money of other things. I would rather spend it on travel and events and dinners than I would on stopping aging.
I also know that self love has been a constant journey for me. How I look obviously matters to me, but I value loving me for who I am and all that entails - wrinkles and all. For me loving who I am does equal embracing the aging process.
Here’s the thing: a lot of my friends, significantly more and more lately - are relying on injections and surgeries and they look fly as all hell. And it works for them. They want to spend their money, time, and energy on those things, and I am not against that. In fact, I’m very for it because it’s important to them and that’s what matters.
Doing what is best for you, that matters.
I may look older, more weathered than some of my friends. Sincerely, one of my girlfriends never ages and she looks absolutely incredible. Partially because naturally, she’s healthy and takes good care of herself (and good genes), partially because she does get injections. Either way, it’s working, she’s a bombshell and always will be. But I don’t know if I’d look like me if I got those things done. Maybe I’d be a better version. Maybe I’d look like I had work done. Maybe I’m overthinking it.
Whatever it may be - I’m not willing to go there right now.
I like learning to love the things that make me who I am. Wrinkles, scars, lines, spots and all. I feel my best when I’m makeup free and authentic. Just as much as we should support the women who choose to age with a little help, I think we need to support the women who choose to just age however that ends up.
The point is, the beauty industry is always made to show women what we need to be our best selves. Taking advantage of that is not wrong and choosing not to is not wrong. Take pride in knowing what you value, what makes you feel your best, and committing to the journey knowing it can change as well.
Society loves to tell women a lot about who we should be, how we should look - society absolutely places more rules around how to exist as a woman and changing my mind, is my way of saying you know what? I’m going to do whatever I damn well please. And I won’t apologize for any of it.