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Original poster

To feel annoyed at how early thirty somethings are viewed

32 replies

Sienna333 · 09/09/2017 21:27

I was watching X factor and there was a 32 yr old woman on there and everyone was saying "Wow, she looks amazing for 32." As if 32 is mega old and you can't possibly look attractive and non haggered at that age. Heard it
about Gemma Atkinson who is 32 as well (Actress from Emmerdale on Strictly). Yes they both look a couple of years younger but why is that worthy of shock and even mentioned? It's not like you drastically age from late twenties to early thirties is it?
I find it depressing and odd. Makes me feel like I am already past it agewise.

:(

OP posts:
ssd · 09/09/2017 21:28

christ dont be so touchy

StorminaBcup · 09/09/2017 21:32

I agree - if it's a compliment leave it at 'You look amazing'. I'm staring down the barrel of 40 and I can feel the invisibility cloak looming!

KityGlitr · 09/09/2017 21:33

Haha that's hilarious rather than irritating. To me anyway. I'm 29 and often get mistaken for being about 22 and get IDed constantly. I can imagine someone saying 'ooh doesn't she look young for her age' but 'good for her age' seems imply I should already be wrinkled, haggard or overweight or otherwise past my best. Wonder what the next three years will do to my face 😂

silverbell64 · 09/09/2017 21:35

well it is TV and anything over 25 is past it. don't take it to heart. I'm 55 nearly and bloody fantastic.

Original poster
Sienna333 · 09/09/2017 21:35

It's barely out of late twenties, I find it weird. Not like you magically age as soon as you hit 30 and become an old unattractive hag. That's what some would have you believe though.

OP posts:
DorisDangleberry · 09/09/2017 21:35

32 is over the hill. Might as well book yourself in sheltered accommodation.

AllTheWittyNamesAreGone · 09/09/2017 21:36

Im 32.
I got called middle aged last week by a group of early 20's women

Ouch

TheFifthKey · 09/09/2017 21:37

I'm the same age as Caroline Flack and it's depressing how she's treated like some sort of glamorous granny.

Original poster
Sienna333 · 09/09/2017 21:37

Kity, my friend is 33 and looks 17. She HATES it. She is 5'2, under 8 stone and very youngfaced. Don't assume you will lose your youthful look as you age. My friend honestly hasn't aged from 17. Put two photos together of her at 17 and 33 and you can't tell the difference

OP posts:
Original poster
Sienna333 · 09/09/2017 21:39

Not to say that I think it is a bad thing regarding my friend btw. She saves a fortune on anti ageing cream. Embrace it Kity x

OP posts:
KityGlitr · 09/09/2017 21:43

Oh I love it! My partner is four years younger and always ribbing me for how 'youthful' I look like I'm some cougar haha. The only downside is meeting other professionals or clients at work and feeling like I'm given less respect or deference due to my perceived age but I handle that easily by doing my job well and earning respect that way and reminding myself anyone discounting someone by age is ageist and their opinion is irrelevant anyway.

But yes I love it, I'll age someday so might as well make the most of having lovely skin and a youthful face now!

Original poster
Sienna333 · 09/09/2017 21:44

Good attitude to have. X

OP posts:
KityGlitr · 09/09/2017 21:45

I was at a partner a year or so ago surrounded by these 19 year old girls who thought I was their age who literally couldn't believe I was a decade older and started asking me all of these questions about pensions and taxes and kids (which I don't have) and relationships like I was some kind of oracle, it was so funny. Had to break it to them that we're all just muddling through whatever the age! Freaks me out when teens treat me like a wise elder. Def makes me feel old.

NotTheMrMenAgain · 09/09/2017 21:51

Well look, those programmes are all geared around youth - they're looking for wannabe pop stars and pop stars are usually young. To a late teenager - probably their demographic? - 32 does feel old.

I'm pushing 42 and look good for my age. Yes, I've got some wrinkles coming and more weight, but I've also got a lot more confidence and happiness than I had when I was younger. I wouldn't go back to being late teens / early twenties for all the tea in china.

Happily, as you get older your idea of 'old ' gets older as well. My fabulous DGM used to talk about 'the poor old sods' at the day centre she went to before she died - she was as old as, or older than most of the other people there, but she never felt like it. We didn't realise how much the centre staff cared until they came to her funeral - they said they loved her because despite being old and unwell she kept her sense of style, her (filthy) sense of humour and knew how to enjoy herself. So I think a lot of it is down to attitude and hope to follow her example.

oldlaundbooth · 09/09/2017 21:53

I'm 35 and look the bomb, way better than mid 20's.

It's your attitude.

Original poster
Sienna333 · 09/09/2017 21:55

Kity, my friend can relate. She got asked if she wanted to get on the school bus (Driver assumed she was 15/16) the other week. She is 33! I can't see her ever ageing!

OP posts:
theancientmarinader · 09/09/2017 21:57

Hoist by your own petard, op. Weird that you claim your 33 yo friend saves a fortune on anti-aging cream because she looks like a 17yo, and yet are aghast at anyone else commenting that a 32yo looks good 'for her age'. Why would your 33yo need to be buying anti ageing cream if it is totes normal to look like a doll in your early thirties, and how dare anyone (else) mention ageing?
I'm 46. I look like I'm 46. I've never contemplated buying anti-ageing cream. Methinks the lady doth protest too much. Are you worried about getting older (and - shock - looking older!) op?

Original poster
Sienna333 · 09/09/2017 22:08

I just meant it is weird that people find it so odd that women can look young at 32 and not old and wrinkled. My friend is an exceptional case as I have honestly never known someone look so young but generally whenever a early thirties woman looks in her twenties, some seem amazed by it and I find that strange and depressing.
Course I worry about ageing. I look my age but consider myself still young so it does get to me a bit when it is insinuated that I am old and past it but I agree, it is media for you.

OP posts:
littlebird7 · 09/09/2017 22:10

I truly was at my most beautiful early thirties. Confidence and youth. But as I get older I realise how little it all means. Sparkly eyes shining from good health, wit and intelligence transcends age. Work on those things and you become timeless.

Oysterbabe · 09/09/2017 22:12

I used to look young but in the 2 years since having a child my face has aged about 15 years.

Doramaybe · 09/09/2017 22:17

I am nearly twice that age and even if I say so myself I look amazing, apart from the wrinkles and the bingo wings that is!

I don't give a shit. All this stuff is just engineered to make women feel bad about themselves.

I bet there is not a man on the planet that has this kind of judgment made about them.

But such is life. I don't buy it, don't get riled about it. Happy to be happy in my skin. Wrinkled as it is!

theabysswithin · 09/09/2017 22:25

What doramaybe said. I'm 45 and look and feel more attractive now than I have in 20 years. I couldn't give a tinkers cuss how old people think I am whether they think I'm over the hill (and I don't think people do.) By definition, anyone who thinks you're past it at 32 is either very young without much life experience or a narrow-minded arse. Life gets much easier and more fun when you stop caring about stuff like this.

paxillin · 09/09/2017 22:29

Surely only teens think 32 is old? Who cares? Teens also think 25 is old.

Doramaybe · 09/09/2017 22:33

theabysswithin

Good to have you on board!

The day men are subjected to the same judgments is the day I will really believe all this shit about looks and so on.

It is what you are within that matters. Well that's what I like to think anyway!

Beauty shines from within.

skyzumarubble · 09/09/2017 23:47

She did look amazing for 32 though, I didn't bloody look like that st 32!

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