Age is often talked about in a whisper. It’s made into a joke or is often concealed as a mystery. We live in a society that views youth as a goal. To act and look younger is glorified, and to age is a burden. 

Aging is not just about growing older, it’s about the memories and lessons learned through the years. The smile lines that form after years of laughing with friends and smiling at strangers. Wrinkles around your eyes caused by years of concentrating on the most interesting things. Why don’t we view aging as the wonderful thing it truly is? 

Everyone ages. It’s an inevitable process that happens to everyone. Yet, within the common process that happens to us all, no two people age the same way. It’s a different process for us all. Different experiences, different faces, different stories all shape our personal aging experience and there is a deep beauty in that.

Each year is a new opportunity to find a new part of yourself. With time, all of the memories, experiences, relationships and passions come together to create a sense of self that only comes with the process of aging. 

We begin to care less about the view of the outside world and how to act according to trends, and we focus more on authenticity, creative passions, peace and presence. The ability to live in the present moment rather than worry about what the future holds or what happens in the past becomes a strong skill. 

The media does an excellent job at forcing the idea that aging is a negative thing. We all know that Kris Jenner is the queen of cosmetic surgery. She has had many procedures done, and her doctors have, admittedly, done an excellent job at keeping her youthful look. When you see her, you can’t even tell that she is 70 years old. 

In recent years, cosmetic surgery has been on the rise for young girls. Social media has played a huge role in influencing young adults to undergo cosmetic surgery. 

“In 2020, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons documented that women in their 20s and 30s form over 20 percent of the population who underwent plastic surgery,” Kayla Peterson wrote for Plastic Surgery. 

It’s amazing that we have the opportunity to choose what we do with ourselves. To change what we want to change, to fit our own personal wants. It’s important that the media also promotes a positive view on the natural aging process. In recent years, celebrities have even gone on to challenge the anti-aging campaign. 

Pamela Anderson’s embrace of natural beauty has been the talk of many media outlets. A lot of Anderson’s career was centered around her look. She had to play into the perception that society had of her for her entire career and eventually, she grew tired of living up to this expectation that felt like the opposite of her.  

“I created this character to combat or to cover up a lot of my disappointment in things that have happened along the way,” Anderson said in an interview with People Magazine. “Now I’m playing by myself. Now I feel more myself than ever.” 

By embracing her natural state as a 58-year-old woman, Anderson has inspired many to embrace their natural look as they get older. She shows us that we can view our natural faces and bodies with grace, love and acceptance. 

We will all continue to age, whether we want to or not. We get to decide if we welcome it with love and acceptance, or if we push it away. It’s important to choose what you know is best for you, making decisions that will benefit you in the long run. Just remember to accept the wisdom and memories that come along with getting older. It’s a beautiful process and it should be given the love and appreciation it deserves.