Anti-wrinkle cream, hair dye, sideways sipping straws… the list goes on for products to “reduce aging.” Everywhere you turn, there is another message to tell you to stop aging, but why? Well, for women, it’s the fact that their old age makes them undesirable, an object that is no longer able to be sexualized, and has no real say or opinion. 

Men, too, can face some of these issues with age. But they are often put in a better light as they age, being deemed “silver fox” or wise from their years. Nonetheless, there is an apparent judgment that is reserved for anyone basically over the age of 50. 

I can’t help but feel a weight on my chest when I think of getting older. The thought of losing myself and becoming someone unrecognizable is what scares me the most. I can’t stand the idea of nursing homes, and I shudder at the mention of retirement. 

But, is this all that there is at the end of your life? Is this truly how older people are treated after building a name for themselves and raising new generations? It’s no wonder older folks are often depicted as grumpy. To age is to have lived, and recently, I have realized that to age is the greatest achievement someone can have. 

Grey hairs are beautiful. And smile lines and wrinkles are something to value; they’re a sign of laughter and love. We fear aging because we are so scared of losing ourselves, but we make it seem like once you reach a certain age, you have to stop being active. I’ve seen my grandma go on a cave hike and grandpas who are still playing football on Thanksgiving. 

The media makes it seem so important that to be beautiful, you have to be young. You must have smooth skin and non-grey hair. Movie villains are often portrayed as salty, older people trying to regain some sort of youth, such as Ursula, Mother Gothel, and Voldemort. Even horror movies make it seem like the older body is the most horrifying thing ever. This can be seen in the movies “It,” “Weapons,” and “X.” 

We even hear these expectations in music. Like Lana Del Rey’s “Young and Beautiful” when she sings the lyrics: 

“Will you still love me when I’m no longer young and beautiful?”

Or Taylor Swift’s and Phoebe Bridgers’ “Nothing New,” 

“Lord, what will become of me

 once I’ve lost my novelty?”

And most popularly in “Ribs” by Lorde:

“And I’ve never felt more alone

It feels so scary, getting old.”

I’ve come to realize that it’s not really us who are changing as we age. The change comes from how we are viewed by the people around us. Getting older is not something to be ashamed of, it’s something to embrace, to love and to be proud of, be proud that you are lucky enough to be who you are and who you have been. 

You should love yourself in every form. So grow out your grey, smile wide so the lines show, and as long as you take care of yourself, everything is going to work out just fine.