I refuse to grow older, lol!! I think I am doing the same things I always did, with the exception of crawling around on the floor.....

Age is a state of mind.

Aging without growing older.....one of those meaningless phrases, IMO. It's a distinction without a difference, a sort of remake of the old saws "you're only as old as you feel," "age is a state of mind, not a number," "young at heart," etc.. And, notably, you don't hear young people saying things like this, only people who are aging-----getting older, whatever-----and don't like it. Getting older is the reality of life and there is no getting away from it.

That site is very interesting, got lost in it for a while. I don't think about aging unless I get sick, lol.

Yeah if one is healthy and has minimal physical ailments. Then of course 50 is the new 30...

I guess I'm really a 23 year old trapped in this arthritic body ;) If you are as old as you feel, I'm about 93.

BTW I'm 57 and stopped dying my hair at 43. It is long and gray and people keep coming up to me and complimenting me on it. Guess they think I'm embracing my age; it was really because of thyroid and autoimmune issues and my hair was falling out.

Aside to missymoo...is that a bug-eyed sprite in your profile pic? My brother had one...loved that thing! Alas, it is no more.

kswl, it is growing older without aging. Well there is evidence that there is genetic aging, which we can't get away from, and then metabolic aging which is a result of our diet and exercise habits. So in one sense you can be older without being more aged.

But then there is evidence that belief trumps genetics as suggested by these two studies. Maybe it is a restatement of an old adage, but it seems to be supported by some evidence.

Annie Thanks for posting that link - I would LOVE to be a participant in one of Langers counterclockwise studies! I do believe belief trumps genetics. Have seen many times over the years working with patients. Now I am actively believing myself to be without the ailments, or at least adapting to them, that age most people before their time.

And yes 1960 Bug-Eye. My first car, inherited from my brother, when I turned 14. Oh the stories I could tell...maybe another convertible is in my future. Might help turn back time;)

I agree with kswl2 - her statement is nonsense. What does being a Goddess really mean? I never heard of her so I went to her website and the first thing that struck me was there are many photos of her AND every single one is heavily photoshoped or taken with a soft focus lens to mask her natural tell tale signs of age on her face.

I googled her name to see more images in the hopes of seeing what she really looks like - wrinkles and all. She is a pretty woman, but there are images showing she is significantly older than she looks on her website. I also photos of show business people like Cher and Meryl Streep who have had plastic surgery/fillers/botox - is that what it takes to be a Goddess who never ages? I also read several links about her - she has some questionable advise.

We all grow older but to me the trick is to keep healthy, vigorous and involved in life as we age. While I'm not fond of the wrinkles I have earned, I do own them and I'm coming to terms with accepting them. I focus on a healthy diet and exercise, I'm not trying to be a Goddess.

I'm curious, alexamorrie, about what advice she's given that you find questionable.

So much of all this aging nonsense is just self absorption and vanity. Better to have lived a life of purpose and meaning than to die saying, I looked good. Who cares.

Bumblebeez, I think that is the point...don't let society decide for you that if you are over 40 you are over the hill, or if you aren't 20 any more you can't be beautiful, or that a woman of 60 shouldn't wear her hair long, or a woman of 70 is too old to learn to dance. Rather live your life as you wish (the goddess part) to the fullest regardless of your age, and that you can be quite beautiful (with or without plastic surgery) at any age if you approach life with a willingness to embrace it, a curiosity about what it can bring, an energy and a confidence that it is still as exciting and full of potential as it ever was.

I am lucky that one of my grandmothers was very active well into her 80's and my parents also were... I think their examples were helpful to see! i think if someone is able to stay active as they age, that's most important to staying youthful... and a lot of that has to do with genetics and lifestyle choices over the years.

i do hope to look my best as i age and i hope to be able to feel like i look my best without feeling the need for plastic surgery down the road... who knows- i feel the need to dye my hair now...!! but, at this point in my life at least, i really think it's ok for a 70 yr old women to 'look' like they're 70... and a 'natural' 70 can be beautiful!! someday, down the road, i hope to be someone's grandmom and love it! i hope to be a fit and beautiful grandmom, and i hope i don't feel the need to be a grandmom who is trying to pass for 45...

I love what Jane Fonda said about aging well: "It's good genes. And lots of time and money!"

I'm with kswl and alexa...mostly this is about aging baby boomer women and the refusal to acknowledge that, yep, getting old = aging! I read, mostly to mock, a blog called Better after 50, which is full of articles of this ilk. I cringe reading these articles in which aging women are trying so very hard to be hip and sexy and youthful all in the guise of 'I am better than ever/I am a vibrant goddess/I am still as sexy-healthy-firm-gorgeous as I was at 21 but much wiser and more mature now'. Feh, it's nonsense.

Personally at 57 YO I love where I am in life and I also realize very clearly that as I once heard Bill Clinton say "I have more yesterdays than tomorrows". As good as I may feel and as wise as I may be, I"m aging and that is simply a fact of life.

I have mixed feelings about this topic:

My mom & my youngest sister are both so focussed on fighting against external signs of age that it borders on obsession. My mother is 84 & still colors her formerly red hair & every so often will chide me about my wrinkles(I'm 55) & compare me to my youngest sister, who is 52, but trying very hard to appear a decade or so younger - & has been for many years now. My sister once told me she started 'maintenance' in her 30s. She was a dancer/actress, now a writer/producer in Hollywood, so I understand the water she swims in, but it's becoming a bit uncomfortable because IMO, she's starting to get a waxy look from continual Botox & face peels.

My mom was a stunning beauty in her youth & middle age & always very careful about her & her children's appearance, so I understand how my youngest sister gets her attitude. My mom influenced all of us, of course, & is someone who has worked tirelessly most of her life in service to others in the community, so it's not all about superficial values.

I have another sister (middle) more like me in attitude, which is 'take care of yourself, but don't go crazy & don't go out in public looking like a slob'. I have to admit, tho, I often find myself succumbing to vain thoughts & wish I could break the habit & be more content w/ my appearance. I strive to look neat, comfortable, attractive & put together - it's always in progress. I try to maintain focus on what's inside - figuratively & literally.

Love that Jane Fonda quote!

I was never a goddess or wanted to be, at 63 I try to look my best with what I've got and what I can do, 50 is not the new 30, it's 50.... I am sometimes surprised to look at my face in broad daylight, yikes ! but at the same time I tell myself I'm lucky to be active and in relatively good shape and mobility.

I have a tendency to dress a little younger than my age, to a limit: I don't want to look ridiculous but I can rock distressed jeans and a black tshirt, it makes me feel good to be a little bit badass sometimes, most of the time I am just a well put together grandmother and proud to be.

I guess the book above could be inspiring for people who have let themselves go in their 50"s, I'll browse it at the bookstore.

Mitch, is that avatar picture actually you? If so you're adorable and I can definitely picture you rocking those jeans and t-shirt! Like you, I like to look pulled together, enjoy fashion and staying up with trends, etc....I just find it fun. I'm 65 and routinely mistaken for much younger (the receptionist's expression and comment when I presented my m/care card the other day was priceless....loved it!!). I also have no problem with cosmetic procedures (laser is as far as I've gone at this point) and will probably consider at some point. I agree that having one's health is everything!

KSWL2 said, "And, notably, you don't hear young
people saying things like this, only people who are aging-----getting
older, whatever-----and don't like it."

This is so true! Constantly talking about aging and how to prevent it; or live with it; or love it; or deal with it, is an old person's game. Obsessing about NOT aging is a sure fire way to have the opposite effect.

I'm still at the age (almost 46) where I look forward to each birthday but I find I am starting to say things like, "The older I get, the faster the years fly by." So, I know pretty soon, I'm going to have to start taking my own advice.

I saw Christiane Northrup on PBS a month or so ago. I liked some of her statements but honestly we all age. I say I lived the years, I own them! I will always strive to look my best but what I don't want is to look like a Suzanne Somers. Her lips are awful and dang she is just trying way too hard to stay sexy looking. In contrast I saw Joyce DeWitt in a recent movie yesterday and she looks great as she is aging yet still looking fabulous. BTW, Ms Northrup looks way older, IRL, than the pictures she has on Pinterest.

I keep wanting those beautiful lines around the eyes that say you have laughed often but so far they have been elusive. What I do have in spades is crepiness in my neck and age spots on my chest.

Aging isn't for sissies but I want to age with grace and love the me that I am now!

There is fighting it and FIGHTING it and unfortunately Suzanne Somers is the latter. I like to think I'm fighting some of the more disastrous parts of aging by watching what I eat (mostly), being physically active, staying mentally active with reading, games and lively conversations with people I'm finding through Meet-up. And hopefully soon with a place or two to do some volunteer work. And the big one that I'm integrating into my life more and more is stretching. My mother walked the walk and always said that the first sign of age is losing flexibility and I agree. I'm blessed with some good genetics - no heart disease, no diabetes, no high blood pressure - and have been lucky and careful to avoid breaking, twisting and injuring things that create that cascade of aging. But I don't have gorgeous high cheekbones and the pert nose that seem to allow faces to 'age' better!! I don't see surgery in my future (never say never) but some carefully chosen non-invasives - count me in.

Dh & I went on a wonderful long bike ride yesterday. I was thinking, we were doing these rides 10 years ago when we were 50. 10 years really wasn't that long ago. In another quick 10 years, we'll be 70. Will we still be doing long bike rides together? I hope so, but it will take work and some luck. That is more important to me than looking younger.

IMO, the most elegant older women are the ones who wear their age with pride: styled gray hair, simple, well-cut clothing, minimal make up, classic accessories, a regal air of being comfortable in their own skin. What a picture of strength, like they've stared life's vicissitudes in the face and are still standing tall. I admire Lauren Bacall:

Lauren Bacall on aging

Dawn, yes it's me ( with professional makeup and no glasses at DD's wedding last year) fillers and botox to the rescue. Which reminds me, I need to make another appointment for June :)

Love your haircut, Mitch!

And, yes, what is up with Suzanne Somers?? Apparently she hasn't owned up to any surgery or procedures but I've read articles speculating she has had too many injections of something...can't remember what; fat, maybe? Anyway, I believe she's an example of one who would've been much better off under the care of a good cosmetic surgeon or just left well enough alone. It's sad to see her looking so different from her former self.

Jaclyn Smith, on the other hand, has had to have work done given her age but she FABULOUS!!

I would be very happy to look like Judy Dench when I'm 80.

I'm still surprised that I'm over 40...and I turned 50 about 6 months ago.

I didn't look at the website but I am definitely one who will try to look and feel my best - hopefully at whatever age! I do believe that attitude has alot to do with it. Of course we are all aging, but you can look your age or you can look great for your age. Staying active, healthy (well what we can do to be healthy, of course we have no control over the big picture), flexible, etc. makes a huge difference. I hope to never be someone who says "oh, I'm 50 (60, 80), I can't do that"! I do not try to make myself younger, but the best I can be at any given age. Having healthy habits can make a difference. I think our own Mitch is a perfect example!! FWIW, people are usually surprised to find out my age. My husband is the same way - he never stops. I truly think to keep moving makes a huge difference in our lives. We have some young just married friends who paid us a huge compliment. The husband happened to see my husband's driver's license, and he was shocked. So much so that he blurted out - you can't be that "old" - you're too much fun! LOL That's another bit of advice - have a variety of friends and even a variety of ages! The college girls where I work come in and talk with me about girl things and even voted me best dressed (in our building LOL). The male best dressed they picked is a few years older than me!

tinam, that award says it all, you're doing something right !! thanks for the compliment. I think that at a more advanced age, be it 50 and over let's say, most of us have determined what our style is, what works best and is most flattering. It makes shopping easier also, I love that.

I don't experiment anymore with styles that are too far away from my comfort zone, I used to do that more when I was younger.

Yet, I did break my rule and buy a floral top this spring, (I dislike floral prints as clothing on me)

to inject a bit of color, and it's growing on me. I wear a fitted jean jacket over it to make the floral proportion smaller, the top is longish.

I love everyone's take on getting older, so fun to read !!

Good posture really stands out. I still remember the amazing posture of a lady in the stands at a football game. She was in front of me, but off to the side and she was the ONLY ONE sitting up straight. I was just amazed. I haven't mastered the posture thing and caught myself slouching as I type.

I don't know if I'll ever have botox or fillers. Honestly, I think that could be a very slippery slope for me. Plus, I don't ever want to fuss over my appearance to an unbalanced point of creating self image issues with my kids.

It is what it is! I'll keep trying to do the best I can with what I have and enjoy life. To be upset over it or anything else doesn't change a thing or do any good. It wastes time and energy, so if I find myself going down that road I have to redirect my focus to other things and people.

Lauren Bacall - I think she was so darn pretty. Love her eyebrows.

Mom's eyelids became so hooded that it started interfering with her vision so she had an eyelid lift. I think I may end up in the same boat.