Growing older

As women, one of our greatest fears seems to be the fear of growing older. So many women fear that as they age they’ll become ‘invisible’, or dependent on others. Girls in their mid-20s start using anti-wrinkle creams and exercising because ‘it’s all downhill from 30’. It reveals a very real cultural narrative in society.

I wonder if any of these fears are warranted. I like spending time with older women – wisdom, confidence, beauty and peace seem to accompany their age. They’ve taught me that no matter how old you are, you’ll always have the freedom to truly be yourself (wrinkles and all). All the negative perceptions about ageing should not diminish our inner light.

Ageing is a part of life. We can try to slow down the process, but eventually it hits us all. So let’s welcome it, and celebrate the life we’re given with each passing year. As the saying goes: ‘You don’t stop laughing when you grow old; you grow old when you stop laughing.’ Pulane Soetsang Ed: We couldn’t agree more, Pulane – as they say: ‘We didn’t regret the fun, so why regret the wrinkles?’