Help I'm really struggling with ageing

[Firefly5]

Hi ladies looking for some support and sense of perspective. I'm really depressed by some very early ageing of my face (I'm only 38).it's caused me anxiety in the past and has reared its wrinkled head again and I'm scared as was on ADs a year ago for this but with those and some dermal filler in my main problem area I got better. I know it's ridiculous but I can't get my head out of a worry loop about it again and beat myself up for being so silly (I have a great life and am embarrassed of this problem). I've arranged to see the doc again but in the meantime I'm really struggling. Has anyone any experience or words of wisdom on this?

Please don't beat yourself up about this it is totally normal and I think you'd be surprised at how many women can relate to this feeling (and men).

I remember feeling like that at 25 when I really didnt need to be thinking about it. It's the society that we live in. Can you identify any reasons why you may be feeling this?

Thanks Sab88, it helps I'm not alone! I think a lot of this stems from me beating myself up because I smoked in the past (not heavily and not for a while now but I get major cravings when I feel like this - very unhelpfully!). So I feel the ageing I dislike to see so early as my own fault.
How did u manage to get relief from your thinking when you were 25? X

Im 37 and really feel like this the last few months.. ive noticed more and more fine lines, specially under my eyes.It sounds ridiculous but i feel so sad ill never have my normal face back that i had for so long, its only downhill from here and i feel like an old hag and dont know how to feel better again. I look at my similar aged friends and think they are aging so much better. Oh well, what can you do. Sorry.. that wasnt much help, youre not alone anyway.

I've always felt weird about ageing (since a teenager) and I'm not old. But the fact is if we are alive we are always ageing. The only alternative to that is death. Most people agree ageing is preferable and just get on with living!

I think you have to reach acceptance. At the end of the day all you can do is eat well, hydrate, wear sunscreen, get enough sleep, don't stress, don't smoke. If you aren't doing those things then start (not smoking!). I don't put (or very few) photos of me on social media. You can enhance - good hair, makeup etc. Of course there are treatments for those that want / can afford them.

I have felt down when I noticed more grey hair, wrinkles etc. but this was lack of sleep/bad diet and has improved. I think I might be sagging in the face (late 30s) and slightly receding (hereditary).

The thing to remember is this: in thirty, forty years time you will look back to this time now and think how young and beautiful you were.

Also the people who love you, love you no matter what.

OP - you're only 38 - you have decades ahead of looking and feeling great and living your life. Eat well, exercise, do yoga, stay off social media, don't read the Mail online or any women's magazine ever.

Wrinkles and lines don't make a woman unattractive. Be engaged with your life and start interacting with interesting people. The 15 year old daughter of the incredibly rich Goldsmith/Rothschild family died on Monday, she was vibrant and beautiful but she'll never get to be 16 or have a career or children.

Society's obsession and repulsion with ageing is doing my fucking head in.

face yoga will help!! have a google. Do 5 - 10 mins a day, it really makes a difference. youtube have some good videos.

www.ted.com/talks/ashton_applewhite_let_s_end_ageism?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare

Watch that - enlightening. We all need to change our attitudes to ageing, it's dumb that in our society its seen as bad. It'll happen to us all if we're lucky!

To be honest I can't remember how, I know that's not helpful sorry but i think the answer is that i was actually worrying about something else and I became fixated on ageing and appearance instead. When the source of the stress cleared up I think the fixation did too. I still now, when I'm low, feel worse about my appearance than I ordinarily would.

I know it's a cliche but we imagine ourselves looking fatter, more tired, older than we actually do and what other people see is very different. People won't notice the things that you do.

Thank you so much everyone has commented it's made a big difference to me hearing all these sensible and supportive viewpoints 🙂 it's lovely you've all taken the time to help me xx