Inner Conflict

By: Catharine Fennell

When it comes to the aging process, women almost always feel conflicted. We live in a world of mixed messages and it is natural that our feelings might be mixed as well. But that’s okay! Some days we wake up feeling strong and full of conviction and idealism. ‘Today, I am who I am. I am proud to be 58 and I will wear my wrinkles well!’ Other days we wake up tired, frustrated when we look in the mirror when the face that looks back at us doesn’t reflect the youth and vitality that we feel inside. It is on those days that we think that we could use a little help.

Your mother may have modeled a certain aging philosophy that you aspire to and follow. Or, the opposite.... perhaps you couldn’t be more different than your mothers. Our role as women and the ‘should’s’ that we live with daily and the messages that we send to our daughters and other women around us also play a factor in how we feel and what we choose to do. If I choose to undergo some kind of cosmetic treatment does that make me less of a woman? Less of a feminist? Less principled?

Aging and the way we feel about it is a really personal thing. It’s personal but that doesn’t mean we aren’t influenced by people and the things around us. Society. Younger women who may look a little more perky and fresh. Strong stoic women who age timelessly and beautifully. The double standard. There is nothing wrong with that. It’s reality and it happens to all of us from time to time.

Our choices about what to do or not do about it are our own and shouldn’t be judged by others. Whatever the decision, you can be sure that a lot of thought went into it. So gals, let’s not be so hard on each other!