I’m so glad you’re writing about this! I think about this a lot. I’m also so glad to hear about Father Rover’s work on the subject, I think most of what I’ve heard about aging is “look how great the silver lining is,” but giving myself permission to grieve the gifts of youth feels like the puzzle piece I did not know was missing.
Yes, I was thinking after I wrote this how much I miss having a body that never ached, having boundless energy, a future of endless possibilities (possibilities are more limited as we age). It is important to grieve these things and acknowledge the losses.
My life had changed for the better since I’ve come not just to accept, but embrace my graying hair. I was embarrassed by it at first, but by the time the last of the dyed hair was cut I realized how good it felt to look like…ME! There is power in being the age you are. You just have to quit listening to the lies our money and beauty hungry society has been spreading.
🙏🏼 Thank you for sharing these words… We need reminders like this to serve as buoys in a world that consistently tells us that adherence to cultural beauty standards > gaining wisdom. The battle is real. 😩
Thank you for reading, Shannan. I was really moved by your recent newsletter, having also left my church because of people who protect the institution rather than the human beings within it.
This was great, Karen. Old swamp witches unite.
🙌🏽
I’m so glad you’re writing about this! I think about this a lot. I’m also so glad to hear about Father Rover’s work on the subject, I think most of what I’ve heard about aging is “look how great the silver lining is,” but giving myself permission to grieve the gifts of youth feels like the puzzle piece I did not know was missing.
Yes, I was thinking after I wrote this how much I miss having a body that never ached, having boundless energy, a future of endless possibilities (possibilities are more limited as we age). It is important to grieve these things and acknowledge the losses.
I love this and I agree! I have never felt so happy in my skin! I am grey, I am 58 and I am super happy.
Sweet and fabulous ❤️
My life had changed for the better since I’ve come not just to accept, but embrace my graying hair. I was embarrassed by it at first, but by the time the last of the dyed hair was cut I realized how good it felt to look like…ME! There is power in being the age you are. You just have to quit listening to the lies our money and beauty hungry society has been spreading.
Yes! I stopped dyeing mine this year as well. No more anxiety about roots leaves so much more room for me to live my life at my age!
🙏🏼 Thank you for sharing these words… We need reminders like this to serve as buoys in a world that consistently tells us that adherence to cultural beauty standards > gaining wisdom. The battle is real. 😩
I really appreciated this, Karen. Thank you for sharing this wisdom with us. I know I'll come back to it again.
At 65+, I'm applauding this thoughtful ode to aging well, Karen ...
What a word of grace. Thank you!
This is excellent Karen. Thank you!
Thank you for this, Karen! Magnificent writing and the kind of truth we need.
Thank you for reading, Shannan. I was really moved by your recent newsletter, having also left my church because of people who protect the institution rather than the human beings within it.
Very relatable. Thanks for being open!
There's lots of hard-fought wisdom here, Karen. Joining you on the quest.
Onward together!