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What do you wish you appreciated more in your younger-self body?

36 replies

SunshineChatter · 10/08/2020 11:06

A bit of an odd one. I recently turned 48 and while I'm generally happy with the way I look (I enjoy dressing up, I wear heels most days, I have tons of make up which I like experimenting with, lots of costume jewellery I use daily, etc), over the past ten years or so I started to realise quite how many things in the past I never realised I should appreciate when it came to my body.

From being able to do a winged liner when your face is all smooth (which as your eyelids droop you can't), to hyperpigmentation (which I didn't have at 30 and wasn't even aware was a thing), to your body changing shape, I'm now wondering what's in store in the next ten years!

So I'd love to hear from older Mumsnetters about what they 'still' had in their late forties that they now miss. Just so I make sure I enjoy those things while I still have them! :-D

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Anordinarymum · 12/08/2020 22:40

@LookToTreblesGoingTreblesGone

A beardless chin.

Oh yess!! I forgot about that
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AmICrazyorWhat2 · 12/08/2020 22:38

@beguilingeyes Oh yeah, the boundless energy has definitely gone for me as well.🤣

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LookToTreblesGoingTreblesGone · 12/08/2020 18:47

A beardless chin.

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beguilingeyes · 12/08/2020 18:02

14:39AmICrazyorWhat2
I'm on 100 mg a day and it's much better but the boundless energy of youth is gone.

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CSIblonde · 12/08/2020 14:52

I miss my pert boobs. Now I'm 50 going braless in hot weather isn't an option. Even in undewired bras they're not what they were. Also I have dark, bluish circles under my eyes now that look terrible ,despite revamping my diet & taking iron & vitamin c.

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AmICrazyorWhat2 · 12/08/2020 14:40

*stupid autocorrect. Levothyroxine.

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AmICrazyorWhat2 · 12/08/2020 14:39

@beguilingeyes. Are you on medication for your underactive thyroid? I was diagnosed about 10 years ago and Levothyroxone has made a huge difference. The dosage has needed to be adjusted a couple of times, but it works for me.
Get nagging at your GP and demand a blood test if you’re not feeling OK.Flowers

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Anordinarymum · 12/08/2020 14:00

I appreciate retrospectively and in no particular order..

My bladder (it used to work)
My eyes (they used to work)
My legs ( I used to be able to run up the stairs two at a time)
My tummy (I didn't have one and wish I still didn't :)
I am sure there is more.. oh and did I mention my bladder (I will be me as she says on the telly)

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beguilingeyes · 12/08/2020 13:21

Energy mostly. Under-active thyroid seems to have made me permanently knackered.

Not realising how bloody gorgeous I was in my 30s and taking full advantage of it!

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Hyperfish101 · 12/08/2020 05:58

I look at my younger self in photos and am always surprised at how good I look! At the time I was a mass of insecurity!

Wish I’d kept out of the sun. Wish I had got braces. I’m in my 50s and not bad for it but definitely see jowls forming. Hair thinning a bit - everywhere! Getting old is a bit shit tbh!

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Girlzroolz · 12/08/2020 00:21

Why did I take my shapely knees so much for granted?

Now they look like coffee scrolls, with little faces in them.

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SunshineChatter · 11/08/2020 18:17

@MellowBird85 I was advised not to just do the bottom or the top would look worse. I can't honestly remember what the difference in the top lids was but the bottom was remarkable. I remember the first time after surgery I went into a lift and the overhead light didn't cast shadows under my eye bags!

I had an appointment with a skin specialist last week but it got cancelled because of Covid. Looking forward to reschedule ASAP.

I had laser on a few hyperpigmentation spots but I also found that disappointing.

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MellowBird85 · 11/08/2020 18:06

@SunshineChatter did you notice a big difference with the uppers? I have just recently started using SPF50 on my face every day also! I’ve heard that Dermatica are a better product than The Ordinary (stronger stuff and it’s done via telephone consultation / online prescription) so think I’m going to try that. I had laser resurfacing last year also but I was a little disappointed and it felt like worst sunburn ever.

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LionLily · 11/08/2020 17:02

We found some photos the other day of our friendship group back in 1985 when we were 18/19.
I wonder why I always thought I was fat.
And I wish I'd used a better hairdressers instead of Mum's mate Elaine.
Why did I always dress in grey?
Whatever happened to that very expensive looking leather hunter jacket.
And a hundred other ponderables.

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SunshineChatter · 11/08/2020 16:55

@MellowBird85 I had upper and lower at 35 (genetics - I was so fed up of people always asking whether I was tired. And of looking like I was!) and I'd have it done again but I can't be bothered to do all the research again. And I wouldn't necessarily go back to my surgeon (Harley street, surgeon to the stars in fact). But if someone told me 'Here. This is the number of the best surgeon in the country' I'd ring them today and make an appointment.

And may I recommend you use a high-factor SPF on your face every day? I didn't because I thought I'd be safe with my olive skin, and now I'm trying to back pedal like crazy with a million products by The Ordinary. And yet no difference....

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OLGADEEPOLGA · 11/08/2020 16:51

Wish I'd worn dresses more instead of thinking my legs were horrible. They were actually really good legs and now they've got ugly veins so hate them.

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MellowBird85 · 11/08/2020 16:45

@SunshineChatter I’m 34 and I can’t do a perfect wing any more due to sagging of the eyelids so I feel your pain! I’ve already had lower blepharoplasty but sod it I’m having upper as well in next few years 😑

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Blondiney · 11/08/2020 16:25

I miss my defined waist and high rounded arse. At 46 everything is starting to lose it's shape.

I miss being able to miss a few meals and drop half a stone.

I miss my little ski slope tits and regret stuffing silicone sacks into them.

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crossstitchingnana · 11/08/2020 10:00

I miss my body hair. I liked my hairy arms and pubic area. Now I am bald. No-one tells you this shit. I am 52 btw.

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LunaTheCat · 11/08/2020 09:57

I could put a sac on and still look gorgeous in my 20s - now requires more effort! ( mid 50’s)

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Floisme · 11/08/2020 07:24

My memory.

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Greek2me · 11/08/2020 03:42

I had good knees and toned dancers legs. My feet were prettier and my face was so fresh even after a heavy boozing session and no sleep. I had enough hair for 3 heads. Long thick beautiful hair.
Bullying meant i had such low self esteem i never appreciated what i had

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ittooshallpass · 11/08/2020 00:17

Just generally being thin! It was so so easy back then!

That it didn't matter that I had whiter than white skin. I used to be so embarrassed about not being able to tan. I'm still not overly keen about showing my arms and legs (didn't wear short sleeves until I was well into my 20s) but at least they were thin and white then!

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AmICrazyorWhat2 · 10/08/2020 23:52

*boobs, not nouns. What the heck is auto-correct doing?

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AmICrazyorWhat2 · 10/08/2020 23:51

Oh, and my nouns are looking less perky lately.

Wonder if it’s too late for one of the “Yummy Mummy” plastic surgery packages?! 🤣

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