STRUGGLING WITH AGING AT 66 ~ CONFIDENCE, BEAUTY, & LEARNING TO ACCEPT CHANGE
I’m going to be really honest here…. probably more honest than I’ve ever been on this blog.
I’m not aging as gracefully as I thought. Lately, I’ve been struggling with getting older. Not in a graceful, “I’ve accepted it” kind of way… but in a real, emotional, uncomfortable way. In my head, I still think I should be able to look like I did in my 40s. I know that’s not realistic, I really do, but that doesn’t stop the thoughts. My skin is changing. I’m noticing cellulite I didn’t used to have. Things are dropping, shifting, and softening. Ugh!!!!!
In THIS BLOG I just scratched the surface.
So many women have found (and I was one of them) that botox gives such a lift…. quite literally! This past year, my botox has stopped working. What? I mostly just got it in my 11’s, and haven’t used it for that many years (8-10), but loved the difference it made in my face. When it stopped working my aesthetician told me that there’s a small percentage when this can happen, and lucky me I was one of them! I didn’t expect that to bother me as much as it has. My 60’s have made me feel like I crossed some invisible line into “old,” and I wasn’t ready for that.
Why is that so hard for me to admit?
WHEN COMPLIMENTS DON’T SINK IN
My husband tells me all the time that I’m beautiful, that I look cute, that I’m doing great….. and I don’t take that for granted. But, I want it to affect me. I really do. But if I’m honest, sometimes it just doesn’t land the way I wish it would. I want to feel what he sees…. and some days, I just don’t.
THE PRESSURE OF BEING “PRO-AGE”
And then there’s even another layer to all of this. I’m here, talking to you about confidence, about feeling good, about style after 50…. and yet some days I’m fighting these feelings myself. The whole idea of “pro-age” sounds beautiful, but living it? That’s harder than I expected, and this has all been since I turned 60. What is it about 60?!
WHY STYLE, FITNESS, & ROUTINE MATTER SO MUCH
This is exactly why fashion, fitness, and health are so important to me. They are not surface…. negotiable things, but literally my anchors. When I eat well, move my body, get dressed, and take the time to do my hair and makeup (even if it’s just 20 minutes), something shifts with me. I feel stronger. More capable. More like me!
I have to say this too…. I am so disciplined that it can almost be a hinderance. I push myself hard. And I have to ask, am I doing this because it helps me feel good, or because I feel like I need to “keep up” with who I used to be? Sometimes those lines get blurred.
WHAT ACTUALLY MAKES ME FEEL LIKE MYSELF
When I do love myself…. really love myself, I feel like I can conquer the world. I can be so mean to myself! Can any of you relate? That love I’m talking about comes from staying connected to God through prayer and music, showing up for my family, working hard and feeling productive, and striving for harmony in my life. Not balance, because that is impossible.
My three words for 2026 are STILLNESS, BOND, and HARMONY. And not surprising, it’s the stillness that is the hardest one of all. I try to take a look (written in my reminders on my phone) at these words from time to time, to help keep me focused. They have really helped me, and I’d highly recommend doing this for yourself.
LET’S TALK ABOUT IT
So…. I’m asking you. Woman to woman, honestly, how are YOU doing this? How are you navigating the changes in your body, your confidence, and your identity? I know I’m not alone in this, so would LOVE to have you chime in. I get that it’s very personal, and really hard to be totally honest with yourself. But honestly is healing. I believe that this is where the real conversation begins!
HERE’S WHAT IS HELPING ME
On those days when I’m struggling the most, I’ve found it’s the smallest things that really help me with these emotions and feelings. Not big transformations….. simple, so simple. Doable things that make me feel a little more in control and put together, have saved me!
FIVE MINUTE MAKEUP MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE
VERY TYPICAL OF WHAT I WEAR AT HOME
I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A FAVORITE INDULGENCE
I’ve learned that having a treat here and there really matters. Being too rigid with myself has actually backfired in the past, so I try to leave room for a little enjoyment….. and THESE have been my go-to sweet treat for years!
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This isn’t easy for me to share. I’ve always been a very private person and never liked people knowing when I’m struggling…. I’d much rather have everyone think I’ve got it all together. But aging has brought up more for me than I expected. If any of this resonates, I’d really love to hear from you. It helps to know we’re not alone. I’m so grateful for this community, and for my husband and family who support me every day!
