Oldie but a goodie?
I turned 29 this week. Although I never thought I'd be one of those people who freak out about getting older, I will admit that I had a moment in the middle of the night on the eve of my birthday. I lay there in the dark slowly starting to panic. Have I done enough by this stage in my life? Am I where I planned to be? Time is slipping away too fast! Will Phil still think I'm beautiful as I get older/wrinklier/wider? That last one shouldn't be important but I'll still claim it. It's human nature to want to be desirable. Though we humans cannot claim this as an exclusive right of course. All species have their unique way of attracting a mate - a peacock will spread out it's magnificent feathers and shake 'em round in front of the peafowl, the superb birds of paradise dance, Male dance flies catch prey and wrap it in silk, male frogs sing to attract a female, and the female human will cover herself in paint and spend a decent amount of time plucking and preening herself, draping herself in small bits of fabric and in some cases going as far as to cosmetically change herself to what is often perceived as beautiful.
I read this article today about 'larger' woman as cover models. And while this is slightly off topic we can easily translate this text into other issues that people, especially woman, can relate to. We have a vision in our minds of what beauty is, or should be. Most of the time the thing woman fight for most is to remain youthful. We are constantly being told by the media, that this cream will reduce your wrinkles and fight the signs of aging. We are told that it is not okay to have lines on our faces. Or that grey hair is undesirable and that this hair dye will cover them up.
Men on the other hand are allowed to grow old gracefully. The lucky bastards.
I'd like to fight against the system. Because I know it's wrong. But I can also get that we are hard wired to be this way. It makes sense that youth is what is attractive - just as all species we share this earth with, we are born to procreate. Our child bearing years are apparently what makes us appealing. Just as strength and vitality are the calling cards for an attractive man. We must know that they can provide. Why else would muscles be so appealing?
I realise that many of my readers are much older than me and may be grumbling about my rant when I am still able to say that I'm in my 20's. (for the next year, I'll hold onto this phrase as it is the last time I'll ever be able to say it) Though I'm sure that many of you went through the same thing when approaching a big year, whether it be 30, 40, 50, 60 or if you are really lucky - 70.
It's just that this is the first year of my life where I've actually really thought about age as though it's something to be feared. Which of course it's not. It's a privilege. Because life is often taken away far too early. We are painfully aware that not everyone is given the golden ticket to the retirement home. Many are lost before their life has really begun, though not before they make an impact on those who loved them.
So. I will do my best to wear my years as a badge of honor. If I'm lucky enough to make it to 80, I'd like to look back on my life and be thankful for what I've had - not for the youth I've lost.
**********
Since this post has been a little scarce on the photos (it was about me after all and I'm pretty much always behind the camera not in front of it), I'll finish up with a good ol' photo montage now.
I read this article today about 'larger' woman as cover models. And while this is slightly off topic we can easily translate this text into other issues that people, especially woman, can relate to. We have a vision in our minds of what beauty is, or should be. Most of the time the thing woman fight for most is to remain youthful. We are constantly being told by the media, that this cream will reduce your wrinkles and fight the signs of aging. We are told that it is not okay to have lines on our faces. Or that grey hair is undesirable and that this hair dye will cover them up.
Men on the other hand are allowed to grow old gracefully. The lucky bastards.
I'd like to fight against the system. Because I know it's wrong. But I can also get that we are hard wired to be this way. It makes sense that youth is what is attractive - just as all species we share this earth with, we are born to procreate. Our child bearing years are apparently what makes us appealing. Just as strength and vitality are the calling cards for an attractive man. We must know that they can provide. Why else would muscles be so appealing?
I realise that many of my readers are much older than me and may be grumbling about my rant when I am still able to say that I'm in my 20's. (for the next year, I'll hold onto this phrase as it is the last time I'll ever be able to say it) Though I'm sure that many of you went through the same thing when approaching a big year, whether it be 30, 40, 50, 60 or if you are really lucky - 70.
It's just that this is the first year of my life where I've actually really thought about age as though it's something to be feared. Which of course it's not. It's a privilege. Because life is often taken away far too early. We are painfully aware that not everyone is given the golden ticket to the retirement home. Many are lost before their life has really begun, though not before they make an impact on those who loved them.
So. I will do my best to wear my years as a badge of honor. If I'm lucky enough to make it to 80, I'd like to look back on my life and be thankful for what I've had - not for the youth I've lost.
**********
Since this post has been a little scarce on the photos (it was about me after all and I'm pretty much always behind the camera not in front of it), I'll finish up with a good ol' photo montage now.
 |
| This little guy was hanging around us the entire time we were at the park. He was flying so close to us and chatting away non stop. The girls were so stoked! |
 |
| One of the best parts of our home is the view we have from the backyard. This guy was sussing me out for some time before grunting loudly and strutting away to join the others. #happytobeinfairton |
 |
| Another great thing about living away from town is that when I saw the dear standing in the fading sun I grabbed my camera the first shoes I saw and the closest thing that would keep me warm. I rocked this awesome look without fear of being spotted :) |
Comments
Post a Comment