Photo by Hala Al-Asadi on Unsplash
Anti-aging. It’s a term we see and hear day-in-and-day-out. When we turn on the TV. When we open Instagram. When we walk down the beauty aisle in the pharmacy. We are surrounded by messages that aging is bad. “Whatever you do, DO NOT AGE!” God forbid.
I do get it. As we mature, it’s hard to look in the mirror and see the “signs of aging” and wonder, “Where did she go?”
But here’s the deal: with aging come so many incalculable benefits. Personally, at the ripe old age of 58, I have never felt more confident, vibrant, steady and strong in my life. And it keeps getting better. These feelings surely weren’t found in the younger version of Jen. She was unsure, lacked awareness, wanted to be invited to every get-together for fear of contracting FOMO, and sorely needed to learn a good dose of empathy.
I wouldn’t trade my wrinkles, sags and bags to ever go back to that version of Jen. I’ve paid the piper dearly to get to this place — and those payments could only be made with experience…and age.
How do we rise above the anti-aging chatter?
I’ll tell you how.
We flip our thinking. And we hug our age every day. We wear it loud and proud like the great badge of honor that it truly is. Treat it as if it is our very best friend. And we continue to carefully nurture the process and watch the gifts of aging reveal themselves along the way.
xx, Jen
Hey Jen,
Q: Like most people, during the pandemic, I lived in sweats — and loved it. But now I have athleisure fatigue. And I feel like I’ve lost my casual outfit mojo. I need ideas about what to wear around the house that is comfortable and put a little spring in my fashion step.
A: Oh, I hear you. I didn’t get out of my sweats for almost a year! I was loving it. For a while. Then it started to really wear on me. Pun intended. The first time I put on pants was like, “Whoa!” Now, even if I have nowhere to go, I like to “dress.” It actually makes me feel fresh and more productive. Plus, dressing is one of my creative outlets.
My go-to around-the-house outfit is a stretchy pair of jeans and a boyfriend shirt.
I absolutely, solemnly swear by these shirts from H&M. I have one in each color. They are super well made and lightweight — I can throw a sweater over them when chilly, but light enough to keep me cool on a hot summer day. And the price is right: $24.99.
Loving these Liverpool jeans. Here’s my little secret, they’re pull-ons. And they gotta little stretch. I love the cropped flare and the rough-cut hem.
Wear them with a platform Superga to give you a little height.
Or wear them with some comfy flat sandals, like these from Reef.
…of the Week
Shop…
The Kit. As we edge into the cooler in the next couple of months, The Kit has the perfect clothes for those of us who don’t want to let go of summer. Bright, bold colors. Airy yet substantial fabrics are just what the meteorologist ordered. Like this jumpsuit. Oh my gosh.
Listen…
Carter Vail. I discovered his music on Tik Tok, and while I’m not the audience demographic he’s hoping for, his melodies and lyrics transport me to an erstwhile place and time. #nostalgia
Drink…
We’re having friends over on Friday, and it’s going to be hot, hot, hot. With raspberries in their summer prime, this is the perfect cocktail. Full report next week.
Read…
And/or listen to NPR’s community poem titled, “Love, Me.” It’s an amalgamation of letters, written to anyone, submitted to Poet-in-Residence Kwame Alexander. It will take your breath away.
Trend…
Pho vs. Ramen vs. Soba. In the past year, it’s been ramen for the win.
Writing Prompt…
Tenacity and hope.
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