Last week I realized that I feel better at almost 39 than I did ever in my 20′s. Here is my non-Glamour magazine approved list of how to feel instantly younger without Botox or Spanx. (I can’t wear tight Spanx. I’m claustrophobic and I feel like a sausage. But, I wish I could include them here).
- Hair Color – I’m prematurely gray. My mom and uncle were totally white before their 30′s. When I see my roots, they aren’t so much gray as solid white. So, I will forgo all other expenses so I can afford hair color.
- Bangs – I can’t afford Botox and the thought of needles in my forehead kind of creeps me out. Bangs come to the rescue. (I actually did just see this in a magazine’s list of anti-aging tricks, but I knew that YEARS ago.)
- Chase a toddler all day. It’s hard to feel old when you’re running after a crazy toddler for 14 hours a day.
- Move fast. I’m a firm believer that no one can see your wrinkles really closely if you just move around a lot. It’s hard to focus too much.
- Bare Escentuals – My mom got me hooked on this a few years ago. The mineral makeup works for me. The makeup doesn’t collect in my wrinkles and feels nice. I haven’t tried the other brands, but I’m a believer now.
- Take classes. Any kind. Strangely, I feel instantly younger and revitalized when I am back in classes. You’d think I’d feel old as a boot next to a bunch of 20 somethings, but I actually feel younger when my brain is working.
- Join a gym with lots of older people. I work out at a university gym. While I try not to compare myself to the itsy bitsy 19 year-olds, there seems to be a large group of 70 and 80 somethings working out there. (Maybe retired professors). They are rock solid! So, while I feel infinitely younger than them, it’s also really promising to see older folks pumping serious iron.
- Cute shoes. Who needs to be told this? Finding cute shoes make me instantly lighter in my step. They are even better at a bargain.
- Have a spouse or partner a good bit older. My husband is 9 years older in chronological years. In reality, I think I’m two years older. But, no matter what, I always feel younger than him in comparison.
- Attend your spouse’s 30th High School Reunion. I didn’t know anyone there so I have no idea what anyone looked like in high school. And, everyone seemed really lovely (even though I was bored to tears). But, I felt like a kid there. While everyone else was talking about their grandchildren, we think we were the only couple with a toddler at home.
Moral of story – Age is relative. I’m just being silly, but I thought about my perception of aging this week and I feel great. Of course I have a disclaimer (I always do). I think that we (we the US) are pretty obsessed with NOT aging. I am not anti-aging. I don’t mind being almost 40 and am not trying to look like a 25 year old. I just want to be a healthy, well-aged almost 40 year old.
Tune in next week when I drop my son off at preschool. I may be the oldest mother. I may have a list of how crappy I feel.
***I have not received any compensation for mentioning Bare Escentuals products. They don’t know I exist except for my credit card in their database. But, if makeup suddenly shows up at my doorstep, I will be really happy. Hint hint.
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