Great video. I’m 56, near the age of your mother. I liked your tip about finding older role models. That’s been helpful to me. This past year I’ve become a fan of a number of young women on UA-cam, like you, who are deeply insightful. When I was young and thought about myself in the future, I never imagined I would be inspired by or learn from much younger women, but I am. One thing I’ve felt strongly about aging is the sense of doors closing. When you are in your teens, there are so many choices about education, careers, and raising a family. Forty years later, as those opportunities become less feasible, it can feel like a loss, but it can also be freeing. The pressure to prove yourself, or make something of yourself, or to pop out those kids before the expiration date on those eggs, it just goes away. Instead, you can follow your heart, which is nice. But it is a bitch keeping up with technology.
This summer has really brought my wrinkled forehead to the fore. My mother noticed it happening when I was in fifth grade, and she told me if I kept scrunching my forehead, it would get wrinkled. I went for a week checking the way I physically expressed my emotion until I was like, "fuck this." Twenty years on and the prophecy has come true, and I've definitely spent a thought or two on it. However, wrinkling my forehead is one of the most prominent ways that I express emotion, so the deep lines are worth it💗
Me too, Jessi! I'm very expressive with my eyebrows and it is inevitably wrinkling my forehead. But I think I'd rather have pug folds than not express myself the way that's natural to me.
Smashing the like button as quickly as possible! There is a lot to work with here. Definitely something I need to work with for myself. Thank you for sharing. Much love!!
My mother in law is 71. She is incredible and beautiful, wise, elegant and lives like her cancer won't define her. As I write this she is texting, imessaging and emailing her family. Phoning her friends and family, visiting, driving, and running about in the forest with her grandson. Because she wants to. Not everyone can do this, it's not that simple, I understand that. She is using her time in the present and will always be my role model, for energy, for vibrancy and creativity. There is literally nothing she won't do. Her energy is beautiful. She is my power animal and she's been through the most awful things. Blessed be.
I am a 53 year old woman who LOVES being older. Turning 50 was so empowering for me. I've learned to embrace my flaws. I don't care as much about what others think. I am more powerful, happier, more comfortable in my own skin than ever. It's wonderful. Look forward to it.
A lot of my hair has actually turned gray right now and so many of my friends are pushing me to dye my hair, but I like my hair the way it is! And I always just start these discussions with them about how I feel it's so unfair that men can have gray hair but women can't! I mean even if you just look at Hollywood for example, all the actresses put so much effort (Botox, surgeries, etc etc) in looking younger... But so many male actors are considered "handsome" as they show signs of aging... Such an important topic you brought up! Thank you! XOXO💕
I struggle with the fact that I feel more genuine and more whole at 52 than I ever have. Unfortunately even and maybe especially in the Witchy community I seem to be looked at as "irrelevant " Its frustrating that some feel older women are out of touch with nothing to offer. Its a effort to love yourself when the message is you don't matter. I am still learning and growing. I plan on doing so while I'm here. I love your teachings so much.
Yes to taking on other people's crap about ageing! I have been paying attention for the past 4 or 5 years about this in particular. Much of my ideas came from elder family members that have a really crappy self-image & so of course their ideas on ageing followed suit. Finding new aging mentors has meant a lot to me accepting where I am in the ageing process. And thankfully, they're out there! Now, I can be more conscious of the role I set for my daughter & for others in my life that are younger than myself. I choose to look at ageing as a privilege, that many aren't given. There's some quote running around about that. My mother got her PhD at the age of 68. As I get older, I feel so much more mentally sound, grounded, and in my power than ever...so I'm hoping that I will keep getting more powerful.
I was dancing around this particular video since the day you put it out there. 36 years now and I told myself it's already too late to want/have certain things in my life. Today was the perfect day to watch this and it was more than I hoped it could be. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Thanks so much for this video! I'm only 27 and I'm already combatting the conditioning in our society! I did dance through high school and college and taught dance professionally for a while, but I stopped a few years ago and I've noticed a lot of body change. Not only was I struggling with body image, but the tiny self micro-aggressions I fixate on is body image. Since I stopped dancing, I've noticed body changes and I blamed it on not exercising my body 30 hours a week. Now I'm realizing that a lot of it is just aging and I'm really working on loving myself and my body. I rarely wear makeup these days (although I love makeup and I immensely enjoy the creativity of it) because I love my face without it just as much as when I wear it. I also am noticing that I value learning above all and I think that comes with experience and study. Like you said, this is not to devalue those younger than I, but I'm actually really enjoying getting older. However, I still find myself afraid of "turning 30" and that is so silly when I look at the grand scheme of things. I can't wait to be an old crone and I am excited for what I'm going to learn and the kind of crone I will become.
I am happier with every year that passes. I feel more comfortable in my body, more grounded, and connected. One year ago, almost to the date, I watched my very first Kelly-Ann Maddox video on my quest of spiritual awakening, so I'll throw in an extra pinch of gratitude for this year. One aspect about aging that troubles me though, is the passing of people and family in my life. It is true loss can and does happen at any stage, but it has been difficult watching my parents age in a way - more than seeing my own aging process. That said, I like that life is finite, because it makes the flowering of this moment so special to me. Here's to watching another sunrise, to another glorious grey hair, to winter and cronehood. Post Script: I love that you acknowledge and honor wisdom at all stages in life. Your language and perspectives are so inclusive.
Girl you are everything!!!! You have helped me in so many ways that you may never know, but it was only right to come and give you yours and say thank you!!! And yes I jumped on the wagon and i'm doing #self-Love Sept.. I gave you a shout out! Of course🤗 anyway I know you don't know be, but still I had to come by and say thank you, blessing blessings blessings 💫
I'm 47 and I refuse to get old. Even when my friends try to tell me I'm getting "old" like them. I always tell them, you may be "old" but don't include me in your statement about yourself.
the worst thing i've experience in aging, is being around such narrow people, who just poo you for still having ambitions & dreams. that's why it's the only thing i'm cagey about. i'm a brutally honest person, but i'm just not going to listen to peoples negative, conservative, ideals on what we 'should' be doing, post 40. bullshit to that! i'm extremely proud & grateful to still be around to have those dreams & ambitions for my future, still. as the great Uncle Bob Marley put it, "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds....." i've really thought about this lyric, lately, because after shadow work, after soul journeying (which never stops, of course. i'm talking the huge first steps) what can be left? older age, some regrets of not finding & nurturing that inner child, & believing what others' have always told you about your raw talents & gifts ... is it all too late? i'm here to say NO IT'S NOT. we just might need to re evaluate how we approach 'certain' things, to still honour ourselves, wearing maturity with pride, with grace. the questions of what am u really about now? what is next? i will be damned if i'm gonna just take that i'm a CRONE now (or nearer future) we are aspects of ALL at various times, the pentulum swings over the wisdom of the now. i will never feel an old fuddy duddy. i still scream in rock bands, still go to gigs, look to the gorgeousnesses of Stevie Nicks, Tori, Kate B, all the astoundingly wonderful inspiring Boomer women now, & appreciate being a kick arse Gen X lol
I'm only 22 and this is already making me want to cry. I've got a long way to go yet before I start properly aging but I'm honestly really scared of it. Not the actual getting older bit but the idea that my body is going to break down and get sick and then I'm going to be miserable up until the day I die. Mostly I'm afraid of the "being miserable" part. Which is what I'm seeing my almost-60-year-old mother going through right now, and I SO wish she'd learn to take better care of herself. I can't force it any more than I can force myself to be six feet tall, though. I want aging to be a gateway into new types of wisdom and power that's different to what I have now. For that matter, I want my aging process to be a gateway into my own power and agency full stop! It's kinda hard for me to find right now.
Being the Hermit there's a video here on UA-cam that's going to totally inspire you, it's called the 80-year old model( or something like that), you canjust search for it:-)
That last bit about being able to fear aging at any stage of life is so true - i'm 19, almost 20, and i'm scared of being 20 because of my anxiety and the way that 'adult' stuff (doctor's appointments, money shit, etc) is so difficult for me. at the same time, i'm afraid of growing older in general because of the idea that i'm getting closer and closer to death, and being an atheist means i have no comforting belief in an afterlife to soften the blow (not that religious/spiritual people don't fear death, of course); in order to deal with my fear of aging, i'd have to deal with my fear of death, and that's a bit trickier than handling my social anxiety or an insecurity about being old (again, not to say those things are easier, just that for me personally i can handle getting "ugly" in society's eyes more easily than i can handle getting closer and closer to nonexistence). on a more superficial note, as a trans nonbinary person i worry that i'll look less androgynous as i get older. as a much much older person i think i could look pretty androgynous, but until i'm 60-ish i think i'll only be getting less androgynous. i'll look more like my mum, more like the middle-aged women i know, my body will look more androgynous and my boyish clothes will only make me look like a butch woman, not a femme guy or androgynous person. this worries me far more than not being society's idea of attractive. there aren't many afab trans role models who haven't gone through hormone therapy or surgery, and neither of those are things i want to do. it's a difficult one to reconcile. anyway, sorry for the ramble. despite the stuff i just waffled about, i did find this video very helpful and somewhat comforting amidst my fear.
Aging is still a fear I am working through. For me, it has more to do with where I want to be and not liking where I am at right now. Also, feeling like if I don't do something whilst I am young that the opportunity to do it later on in life (whether in a few years or way beyond that) will vanish. I like that idea of writing to one's future self. Great self-love topic.
Best video yet!!! I equated getting older as morphing into my mother arrrgghhhhhhhhh I so had to switch that shit up, still working on it, and working on it hard!
I think that the injury you had in your 20's has prepared you for some of the things you will experience with aging . Chances are you will just keep healing and feel better than ever in your older age. Also, thanks doing what you do!
I never really had an issue with aging. I'm 48 - almost 49 and never think of my age as a hindrance I live my life one day at a time. I have stopped dying my hair and am letting the grays in, i'm letting the wrinkles slowly develop on my face, it is what it is. It doesn't mean that i'm letting myself go, it's more like i am letting myself be myself and age naturally. Like you mentioned, i let each passing year be a learning lesson for me and think of different ways of doing things.
The most beautiful person I have ever met was well into her nineties. I'll never forget her. So in that sense aging doesn't scare me and I've moved past youth equaling beauty because that's only skin deep.
Also my mother has been that shining example of aging gracefully while still being in touch with the latest styles and technology in her mid-fifties. I agree with you about age not equating wisdom, I've met some really immature older folks and some surprisingly mature teens. I love how you've given so much purpose to life and to doing shadow work.
I think I've had an interesting experience with aging. I became chronically ill and disabled when I was 13. Much of what we're programmed to fear losing with age as women (the ability to have children, power in the workplace, nubile bodies) was lost to me quite young. That was all very difficult and I did have to mourn the loss, but I'm quite impervious to most of the cultural "noise" now! I'm 35 and I'd say at about 30 I really started to grow in my feelings of empowerment, and I just keep growing. I feel like I've been waiting to be a Crone my whole life, if that makes sense. Of course, I still have my moments of crisis, like when I noticed that my expressive eyebrows are doing a real number on my forehead. Our lives are a spiral, we'll be adjusting to our changing bodies until the grave.
Apfel Iris was on my mind all the way trough this video :D ..Have you maybe taught about making the Tea and Tarot episode regarding self love? 💕 Much Much much much LOVE hun 💕
I just spent a lovely weekend with a man and a woman who are both around ten years older than me. She hasn't had children, but I have. I have occasional insecurities about having a mother's body and she is getting to the age where women are told they will no longer be desirable or attractive. I can tell you that we all made each other feel loved, desired, and fantastic. Screw beauty standards.
Oh so much to say about aging. I'll keep it brief. I'm 55 and I'm super sick and tired of friends and television ads that tell me that I should should crave sex after menopause, that I should dye my hair to eliminate greying, that I should botox my face to get rid of wrinkles. After I let my hair go grey, the most common insult i got on social media was being called "old lady." Instead of getting my sense of self worth from folks saying that i look young for my age, or telling me I'm pretty, or calling me MILF (ick!) I now I get my self esteem from knowing that I'm a loving, righteous, empowering badass. And Seriously though... if one more person insinuates that I need to see a doctor to increase my libido, I'm gonna blow a girdle. I'm using my energy to save the world! Also, it's easier to hug people when you're older because nobody takes it the "wrong way." Thus, I do a LOT of hugging these days and it's fun as hell.
In my experience it's been more of a lack of adjustment time. Meaning that I've looked in the mirror and saw a young face reflected back and suddenly there's someone I don't recognize. I've always looked younger than my years, until recently. My perception of me is not what's in the mirror. It's a bit unnerving. Needless to say, I avoid the mirror as much as possible and focus on the real me and not the ego self, still, I own the fact that I am vain. And lucky to be 58. My sister was not as fortunate to reach the age I am now. Blessings
My fears about aging have a lot to do with my accomplishments. I definitely have chosen a different path than most. Having mental health issues and addiction issues I had to put my life on hold it feels like. So being 36 and not being as accomplished in certain areas as others around my age, like schooling, career, relationships, and lots of other things, I'm constantly feeling like I'm playing catch up or will never be as accomplished as others around me. And as time goes on will those feelings of not being as good or as far in life ever go away? As I grow older I'm trying to convince myself that in my own time things will happen, but it is still scary. I don't want to miss the boat, as some say.
Curious if you've ever heard of, and what you think of, the 4 phases of a Witch: Maiden, Mother, Goddess and Crone... The Goddess covers women who have adult children, but not feeling they've reached "Crone" status.
I remember looking in the mirror at 14 thinking I want to be a middle aged raspy voiced independent intelligent woman who uses dark red lipsticks I still find it attractive I can't fucking wait.
Great video. I’m 56, near the age of your mother. I liked your tip about finding older role models. That’s been helpful to me. This past year I’ve become a fan of a number of young women on UA-cam, like you, who are deeply insightful. When I was young and thought about myself in the future, I never imagined I would be inspired by or learn from much younger women, but I am. One thing I’ve felt strongly about aging is the sense of doors closing. When you are in your teens, there are so many choices about education, careers, and raising a family. Forty years later, as those opportunities become less feasible, it can feel like a loss, but it can also be freeing. The pressure to prove yourself, or make something of yourself, or to pop out those kids before the expiration date on those eggs, it just goes away. Instead, you can follow your heart, which is nice. But it is a bitch keeping up with technology.
Who else would you recommend following?
I hope someday you'll look back at this video when you're decades older and reflect on just how wise and kickass you already are/were back then.
This summer has really brought my wrinkled forehead to the fore. My mother noticed it happening when I was in fifth grade, and she told me if I kept scrunching my forehead, it would get wrinkled. I went for a week checking the way I physically expressed my emotion until I was like, "fuck this." Twenty years on and the prophecy has come true, and I've definitely spent a thought or two
on it. However, wrinkling my forehead is one of the most prominent ways that I express emotion, so the deep lines are worth it💗
I had the same thing with my "furrow marks" between my eyebrows. I take it to mean that I'm always curious, lol.
Me too, Jessi! I'm very expressive with my eyebrows and it is inevitably wrinkling my forehead. But I think I'd rather have pug folds than not express myself the way that's natural to me.
curious and quizzical for sure!
It' s painful not to show your expression, and always worth it
Smashing the like button as quickly as possible! There is a lot to work with here. Definitely something I need to work with for myself. Thank you for sharing. Much love!!
My mother in law is 71. She is incredible and beautiful, wise, elegant and lives like her cancer won't define her. As I write this she is texting, imessaging and emailing her family. Phoning her friends and family, visiting, driving, and running about in the forest with her grandson. Because she wants to. Not everyone can do this, it's not that simple, I understand that. She is using her time in the present and will always be my role model, for energy, for vibrancy and creativity. There is literally nothing she won't do. Her energy is beautiful. She is my power animal and she's been through the most awful things. Blessed be.
Omg brilliant and amazing, thank you Kelly-Ann!!! 🙏🏽💖💎 so timely, too. This has been on my mind recently!!
Thank you so much for making this series!!!
wow thank you as always you explain things so beautifully!!
I am a 53 year old woman who LOVES being older. Turning 50 was so empowering for me. I've learned to embrace my flaws. I don't care as much about what others think. I am more powerful, happier, more comfortable in my own skin than ever. It's wonderful. Look forward to it.
A lot of my hair has actually turned gray right now and so many of my friends are pushing me to dye my hair, but I like my hair the way it is! And I always just start these discussions with them about how I feel it's so unfair that men can have gray hair but women can't! I mean even if you just look at Hollywood for example, all the actresses put so much effort (Botox, surgeries, etc etc) in looking younger... But so many male actors are considered "handsome" as they show signs of aging... Such an important topic you brought up! Thank you! XOXO💕
I struggle with the fact that I feel more genuine and more whole at 52 than I ever have. Unfortunately even and maybe especially in the Witchy community I seem to be looked at as "irrelevant " Its frustrating that some feel older women are out of touch with nothing to offer. Its a effort to love yourself when the message is you don't matter. I am still learning and growing. I plan on doing so while I'm here. I love your teachings so much.
Yes to taking on other people's crap about ageing! I have been paying attention for the past 4 or 5 years about this in particular. Much of my ideas came from elder family members that have a really crappy self-image & so of course their ideas on ageing followed suit.
Finding new aging mentors has meant a lot to me accepting where I am in the ageing process. And thankfully, they're out there! Now, I can be more conscious of the role I set for my daughter & for others in my life that are younger than myself.
I choose to look at ageing as a privilege, that many aren't given. There's some quote running around about that.
My mother got her PhD at the age of 68. As I get older, I feel so much more mentally sound, grounded, and in my power than ever...so I'm hoping that I will keep getting more powerful.
I was dancing around this particular video since the day you put it out there. 36 years now and I told myself it's already too late to want/have certain things in my life. Today was the perfect day to watch this and it was more than I hoped it could be. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Thanks so much for this video! I'm only 27 and I'm already combatting the conditioning in our society! I did dance through high school and college and taught dance professionally for a while, but I stopped a few years ago and I've noticed a lot of body change. Not only was I struggling with body image, but the tiny self micro-aggressions I fixate on is body image. Since I stopped dancing, I've noticed body changes and I blamed it on not exercising my body 30 hours a week. Now I'm realizing that a lot of it is just aging and I'm really working on loving myself and my body. I rarely wear makeup these days (although I love makeup and I immensely enjoy the creativity of it) because I love my face without it just as much as when I wear it.
I also am noticing that I value learning above all and I think that comes with experience and study. Like you said, this is not to devalue those younger than I, but I'm actually really enjoying getting older. However, I still find myself afraid of "turning 30" and that is so silly when I look at the grand scheme of things. I can't wait to be an old crone and I am excited for what I'm going to learn and the kind of crone I will become.
I am happier with every year that passes. I feel more comfortable in my body, more grounded, and connected. One year ago, almost to the date, I watched my very first Kelly-Ann Maddox video on my quest of spiritual awakening, so I'll throw in an extra pinch of gratitude for this year. One aspect about aging that troubles me though, is the passing of people and family in my life. It is true loss can and does happen at any stage, but it has been difficult watching my parents age in a way - more than seeing my own aging process. That said, I like that life is finite, because it makes the flowering of this moment so special to me. Here's to watching another sunrise, to another glorious grey hair, to winter and cronehood.
Post Script: I love that you acknowledge and honor wisdom at all stages in life. Your language and perspectives are so inclusive.
Girl you are everything!!!! You have helped me in so many ways that you may never know, but it was only right to come and give you yours and say thank you!!! And yes I jumped on the wagon and i'm doing #self-Love Sept.. I gave you a shout out! Of course🤗 anyway I know you don't know be, but still I had to come by and say thank you, blessing blessings blessings 💫
I'm 47 and I refuse to get old. Even when my friends try to tell me I'm getting "old" like them. I always tell them, you may be "old" but don't include me in your statement about yourself.
Love this!
Kim Gordon is my ageing idol, she is still as creative and confident in her own skin as ever.
the worst thing i've experience in aging, is being around such narrow people, who just poo you for still having ambitions & dreams. that's why it's the only thing i'm cagey about. i'm a brutally honest person, but i'm just not going to listen to peoples negative, conservative, ideals on what we 'should' be doing, post 40. bullshit to that! i'm extremely proud & grateful to still be around to have those dreams & ambitions for my future, still. as the great Uncle Bob Marley put it, "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds....." i've really thought about this lyric, lately, because after shadow work, after soul journeying (which never stops, of course. i'm talking the huge first steps) what can be left? older age, some regrets of not finding & nurturing that inner child, & believing what others' have always told you about your raw talents & gifts ... is it all too late? i'm here to say NO IT'S NOT. we just might need to re evaluate how we approach 'certain' things, to still honour ourselves, wearing maturity with pride, with grace. the questions of what am u really about now? what is next? i will be damned if i'm gonna just take that i'm a CRONE now (or nearer future) we are aspects of ALL at various times, the pentulum swings over the wisdom of the now. i will never feel an old fuddy duddy. i still scream in rock bands, still go to gigs, look to the gorgeousnesses of Stevie Nicks, Tori, Kate B, all the astoundingly wonderful inspiring Boomer women now, & appreciate being a kick arse Gen X lol
I'm only 22 and this is already making me want to cry. I've got a long way to go yet before I start properly aging but I'm honestly really scared of it. Not the actual getting older bit but the idea that my body is going to break down and get sick and then I'm going to be miserable up until the day I die. Mostly I'm afraid of the "being miserable" part. Which is what I'm seeing my almost-60-year-old mother going through right now, and I SO wish she'd learn to take better care of herself. I can't force it any more than I can force myself to be six feet tall, though.
I want aging to be a gateway into new types of wisdom and power that's different to what I have now. For that matter, I want my aging process to be a gateway into my own power and agency full stop! It's kinda hard for me to find right now.
Being the Hermit there's a video here on UA-cam that's going to totally inspire you, it's called the 80-year old model( or something like that), you canjust search for it:-)
Will do! And thanks for the recommendation!
That last bit about being able to fear aging at any stage of life is so true - i'm 19, almost 20, and i'm scared of being 20 because of my anxiety and the way that 'adult' stuff (doctor's appointments, money shit, etc) is so difficult for me. at the same time, i'm afraid of growing older in general because of the idea that i'm getting closer and closer to death, and being an atheist means i have no comforting belief in an afterlife to soften the blow (not that religious/spiritual people don't fear death, of course); in order to deal with my fear of aging, i'd have to deal with my fear of death, and that's a bit trickier than handling my social anxiety or an insecurity about being old (again, not to say those things are easier, just that for me personally i can handle getting "ugly" in society's eyes more easily than i can handle getting closer and closer to nonexistence).
on a more superficial note, as a trans nonbinary person i worry that i'll look less androgynous as i get older. as a much much older person i think i could look pretty androgynous, but until i'm 60-ish i think i'll only be getting less androgynous. i'll look more like my mum, more like the middle-aged women i know, my body will look more androgynous and my boyish clothes will only make me look like a butch woman, not a femme guy or androgynous person. this worries me far more than not being society's idea of attractive. there aren't many afab trans role models who haven't gone through hormone therapy or surgery, and neither of those are things i want to do. it's a difficult one to reconcile.
anyway, sorry for the ramble. despite the stuff i just waffled about, i did find this video very helpful and somewhat comforting amidst my fear.
Aging is still a fear I am working through. For me, it has more to do with where I want to be and not liking where I am at right now. Also, feeling like if I don't do something whilst I am young that the opportunity to do it later on in life (whether in a few years or way beyond that) will vanish. I like that idea of writing to one's future self. Great self-love topic.
EXCELLENT video Kelly Ann, I'm 58 and this was so inspiring!
Best video yet!!!
I equated getting older as morphing into my mother arrrgghhhhhhhhh
I so had to switch that shit up, still working on it, and working on it hard!
I love the way you self-express you look like an ethereal mermaid
I think that the injury you had in your 20's has prepared you for some of the things you will experience with aging . Chances are you will just keep healing and feel better than ever in your older age. Also, thanks doing what you do!
Thank you. ♡
The bucket list will never end lol. Great video I do worry about getting older but this made me think a lot
I never really had an issue with aging. I'm 48 - almost 49 and never think of my age as a hindrance I live my life one day at a time. I have stopped dying my hair and am letting the grays in, i'm letting the wrinkles slowly develop on my face, it is what it is. It doesn't mean that i'm letting myself go, it's more like i am letting myself be myself and age naturally. Like you mentioned, i let each passing year be a learning lesson for me and think of different ways of doing things.
the only thing wrong with aging is your body doesn't keep up with your mind, lol. 73 yo crone fan girl here. :)
You are so right! 61 year old crone here!
oceanluv88 blessed be xo
The most beautiful person I have ever met was well into her nineties. I'll never forget her. So in that sense aging doesn't scare me and I've moved past youth equaling beauty because that's only skin deep.
Also my mother has been that shining example of aging gracefully while still being in touch with the latest styles and technology in her mid-fifties. I agree with you about age not equating wisdom, I've met some really immature older folks and some surprisingly mature teens. I love how you've given so much purpose to life and to doing shadow work.
I think I've had an interesting experience with aging. I became chronically ill and disabled when I was 13. Much of what we're programmed to fear losing with age as women (the ability to have children, power in the workplace, nubile bodies) was lost to me quite young. That was all very difficult and I did have to mourn the loss, but I'm quite impervious to most of the cultural "noise" now! I'm 35 and I'd say at about 30 I really started to grow in my feelings of empowerment, and I just keep growing. I feel like I've been waiting to be a Crone my whole life, if that makes sense. Of course, I still have my moments of crisis, like when I noticed that my expressive eyebrows are doing a real number on my forehead. Our lives are a spiral, we'll be adjusting to our changing bodies until the grave.
To clarify, I'm find my own way through career, family, and "sexyness." I didn't just lay down and accept that I couldn't have those things!
Apfel Iris was on my mind all the way trough this video :D ..Have you maybe taught about making the Tea and Tarot episode regarding self love?
💕 Much Much much much LOVE hun 💕
Harpie's Feather she was in my mind, too
elizabeth tresCosas I'm glad we are on the same page ^^
SO EXCITED FOR THIS TOPIC
I just spent a lovely weekend with a man and a woman who are both around ten years older than me. She hasn't had children, but I have. I have occasional insecurities about having a mother's body and she is getting to the age where women are told they will no longer be desirable or attractive. I can tell you that we all made each other feel loved, desired, and fantastic. Screw beauty standards.
Oh so much to say about aging. I'll keep it brief. I'm 55 and I'm super sick and tired of friends and television ads that tell me that I should should crave sex after menopause, that I should dye my hair to eliminate greying, that I should botox my face to get rid of wrinkles. After I let my hair go grey, the most common insult i got on social media was being called "old lady." Instead of getting my sense of self worth from folks saying that i look young for my age, or telling me I'm pretty, or calling me MILF (ick!) I now I get my self esteem from knowing that I'm a loving, righteous, empowering badass. And Seriously though... if one more person insinuates that I need to see a doctor to increase my libido, I'm gonna blow a girdle. I'm using my energy to save the world! Also, it's easier to hug people when you're older because nobody takes it the "wrong way." Thus, I do a LOT of hugging these days and it's fun as hell.
In my experience it's been more of a lack of adjustment time. Meaning that I've looked in the mirror and saw a young face reflected back and suddenly there's someone I don't recognize. I've always looked younger than my years, until recently. My perception of me is not what's in the mirror. It's a bit unnerving. Needless to say, I avoid the mirror as much as possible and focus on the real me and not the ego self, still, I own the fact that I am vain. And lucky to be 58. My sister was not as fortunate to reach the age I am now. Blessings
My fears about aging have a lot to do with my accomplishments. I definitely have chosen a different path than most. Having mental health issues and addiction issues I had to put my life on hold it feels like. So being 36 and not being as accomplished in certain areas as others around my age, like schooling, career, relationships, and lots of other things, I'm constantly feeling like I'm playing catch up or will never be as accomplished as others around me. And as time goes on will those feelings of not being as good or as far in life ever go away? As I grow older I'm trying to convince myself that in my own time things will happen, but it is still scary. I don't want to miss the boat, as some say.
Curious if you've ever heard of, and what you think of, the 4 phases of a Witch: Maiden, Mother, Goddess and Crone... The Goddess covers women who have adult children, but not feeling they've reached "Crone" status.
I remember looking in the mirror at 14 thinking I want to be a middle aged raspy voiced independent intelligent woman who uses dark red lipsticks I still find it attractive I can't fucking wait.
# iris is an inspiration
Ha ha - that is actually my age: close, 64. Still here, still struggling.
I love you I love you jelly Kelly Ann
finding idols...my mum lol