Older women: how do you come to terms with losing your looks?

[TERFCat]

Yes, I know I'm vain! To be clear, I am not judging anyone's appearance but my own! I don't want to look old; other women can look however they wish.

Anyway, I've completely lost my looks over the past few years and it's getting me down. I can't afford Botox etc so that isn't an option.

Older ladies, how did you accept growing old gracefully?!?

I don't look much different except my eyebrows have nearly disappeared and my lashes might as well bugger off too. It is my hair that really pisses me off now. Although I have cut it a lot shorter so no longer have a rats nest but it is still brittle. Any treatment i put on just makes my hair greasy the next day!

Also I no longer seem to suit colourful eyeshadow. It makes me look older, harder and clueless! On the bright side I do suit bright lipstick!

I sort of do a skin routine but am a bit lazy in that regard. Don't have many lines because I am overweight but must have lost some weight as my face looks thinner. I kept looking in different mirrors in case it was a fluke!

Would I go down the plastic route? I hope I never feel the need as I hate the looks on other people but never say never!

Sounds like you may have a underactive thyroid. That's what happened to my eyebrows and eyelashes before I was diagnosed.

I agree about getting your thyroid checked. I've just been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and the disappearing eyebrows and brittle hair were my first symptoms.

Dear Sister,
Some people adapt more easily to age than others. Those of us who are more challenged accepting our own aging process (seen and treated as old) have a hard time. For me I was challenged with both an internal ageist and an internal critic. These 'shadows' in my personality would overwhelm me with shame as ridiculous as it might sound to some.

Women who can feel proud of themselves as they age in this culture we live in I applaud. Many of us will struggle to find peace with it and eventually just stuff it back in and feel misery. I have found a book called 'The Inner Work of Age' which has validated my feelings and given me a path forward. Best wishes to you on this interesting journey.

I was doing okay until a series of eye operations, then my scoliosis reared it's ugly head leaving me in pain with only drugs and physio offering any relief.

God I've aged at 60 I was grand, then at 64 it all kicked off. Eyes first, six operations to save my sight. two years later spine.

This week found a pea sized lump in my breast. I give up.

What made you resurrect this zombie thread @Stillwater001?