Different societies have different values, and they don’t always agree on what beauty looks like. While some Asian societies believe a pale skin is the standard of beauty, South Americans believe being tanned is more attractive. In Western societies, people believe that looking young is beautiful. An entire industry was formed around that belief system, making millions with the sales of lotions, treatments and beauty magazines.
Have you ever heard of model and actress Christie Brinkley? If you haven’t, please take a few seconds to Google her before you continue reading this column. Think about how old she looks, and maybe ask the person next to you to do the same.
…Well? Did you think she was 30? Maybe 35?
That successful model is now 61 years old!
Sure, if I saw her on the street I would think she is absolutely stunning. But I find it really disturbing to think that someone would so desperately try to look that much younger. I don’t think that is healthy or beautiful.
Looking young has become so important to us that every year thousands of people undergo plastic surgery. Thousands of men and women choose to undergo surgery just so that their outward appearance can match what society considers attractive.
When you look at Hollywood stars, for example, some of them look much worse than they did before surgery (and I think most of them did not need plastic surgery in the first place).
Maybe I’m on old soul, but I personally do not understand that obsession. I believe that being old and aging well is absolutely beautiful. I think that my mother looks much more beautiful now in her 60’s than she did in her 40’s, and not because she had any plastic surgeries, but because she became much more confident, and it shows. That’s the real kind of beauty – the beauty that transcends your inner state.
Trying to become a better person, trying to learn new things, being nice to people, being genuine, truthful and being authentic - those are some of the traits that make people beautiful, not their voluptuous lips or their ability to hide their wrinkles.
Our society not only values looking young, but also being young. I remember when my sister-in-law turned 25 (I feel comfortable discussing family issues here because we don’t deliver Lakes District News to South America, plus they don’t speak English). My sister-in-law was reluctant to take any calls on her birthday and she refused to talk about her age. And it’s not just her. Most of my friends that are in their 20’s believe they are old - they even feel nostalgic about the past and they all seem scared to turn 30.
Again, I must be an old soul because I don’t relate to that feeling. In fact, I think being young is sometimes overestimated. When you are young you don’t know exactly what you want to do with your life, you don’t know yourself that well, and life can be overwhelming. Some studies even suggest university students have the highest anxiety levels in our society. Not to mention people do not take you seriously when you’re young and you’re usually out of money.
When people are older, they (usually) have more means to help other people out and make a difference. They know what values they stand for, and what is most important in their lives.
One of the most rewarding aspects about growing old is to discover your passions. That process does not need to end even when you retire. In fact, retiring can a great opportunity to spend some time trying out new activities and focusing on activities that bring you joy.
There’s nothing more beautiful than growing older and being okay with who you are.