I watched the older woman’s post, and I’m not surprised she got criticized mostly by women--projecting some type of fear is my amateur guess. My hot take is that while she is pushing back on negative images of older women, she’s conforming to patriarchy’s version of ideal womanhood--white, thin, coiffed, jewelry, makeup, and, of course, high heels. All of which takes money, and the older women get, the more expensive it is to achieve that specific look.
Live by patriarchy; die by patriarchy.
I’m saddened and angry at the messages young girls get about female beauty. I’m 65 and work with high school and traditional college-aged students. Beauty standards are nothing new for women, but it seems girls now with Instagram (which I’m not on) and filters fill them with messages they can never be enough.
Sigh. Some days I hate being 65. Most days I’m grateful. Being an old soul, knitting, and going to bed at 9. That’s the life.
Thank you for this thoughtful piece and drawing attention to the cultural norms and standards that exist across all age groups, as well as the privilege that is very much apart of it. I will check out the podcast; thank you for sharing it. I also relate to being an old soul and wanting to do things like knitting, puzzles, early bedtimes, etc at a young age. I’m trying to embrace that life once more as my own life has become so busy and chaotic that I just don’t feel like me anymore.
The new yarn is just gorgeous and the colors are AMAZING, Anne! I am finishing up projects to make space for some of your Targhee I have with me. Thank you again for the kindest words about my newsletter. ♥️
My daughter learned to knit with me at an early age. So, when she brought knitting needles and yarn to school for the grade 3 show and tell, everybody was surprised. Some commented, 'Only grandmas do that,' while others asked her to teach them. It's funny how knitting is still perceived as an old person's hobby.
The vest looks beautiful, Avonlea Autumn is a gorgeous color yarn. I just turned 60 in September and sadly finding the grace to accept this body of mine has always been a serious struggle. My hair went gray during the pandemic and last year a new student of mine, informed me that I should retire because of my gray hair. The gray hair was easy to accept but the rest of this is much harder lately. Your writing is thoughtful and gracious, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with others.
Anne. I read the post about the "grandmother" who shows off her arms. Here I am - about to turn 65 and thinking about what it means to be self-accepting about my looks, and what is and is not appropriate for me. I thought she looked great! Very put together and fashionable. Yes, our bodies and hair changes as we age - I hope that we are able to find the grace to accept it, and appreciate ourselves.
She does look good — and so do you and so do I! Humans are just so gorgeous and I wish we saw more images of all the different ways we’re all beautiful. 😁
I watched the older woman’s post, and I’m not surprised she got criticized mostly by women--projecting some type of fear is my amateur guess. My hot take is that while she is pushing back on negative images of older women, she’s conforming to patriarchy’s version of ideal womanhood--white, thin, coiffed, jewelry, makeup, and, of course, high heels. All of which takes money, and the older women get, the more expensive it is to achieve that specific look.
Live by patriarchy; die by patriarchy.
I’m saddened and angry at the messages young girls get about female beauty. I’m 65 and work with high school and traditional college-aged students. Beauty standards are nothing new for women, but it seems girls now with Instagram (which I’m not on) and filters fill them with messages they can never be enough.
Sigh. Some days I hate being 65. Most days I’m grateful. Being an old soul, knitting, and going to bed at 9. That’s the life.
THIS. You said it so much better than I did. Live by patriarchy; die by patriarchy. I'm so glad you're here.
We’re a team. You sparked the conversation that made me think deeper than I had. I’m glad to be here, too.
Thank you for this thoughtful piece and drawing attention to the cultural norms and standards that exist across all age groups, as well as the privilege that is very much apart of it. I will check out the podcast; thank you for sharing it. I also relate to being an old soul and wanting to do things like knitting, puzzles, early bedtimes, etc at a young age. I’m trying to embrace that life once more as my own life has become so busy and chaotic that I just don’t feel like me anymore.
The new yarn is just gorgeous and the colors are AMAZING, Anne! I am finishing up projects to make space for some of your Targhee I have with me. Thank you again for the kindest words about my newsletter. ♥️
My daughter learned to knit with me at an early age. So, when she brought knitting needles and yarn to school for the grade 3 show and tell, everybody was surprised. Some commented, 'Only grandmas do that,' while others asked her to teach them. It's funny how knitting is still perceived as an old person's hobby.
The vest looks beautiful, Avonlea Autumn is a gorgeous color yarn. I just turned 60 in September and sadly finding the grace to accept this body of mine has always been a serious struggle. My hair went gray during the pandemic and last year a new student of mine, informed me that I should retire because of my gray hair. The gray hair was easy to accept but the rest of this is much harder lately. Your writing is thoughtful and gracious, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with others.
Accepting how things change — bodies, lives, abilities — is always so hard. For me too.
Anne. I read the post about the "grandmother" who shows off her arms. Here I am - about to turn 65 and thinking about what it means to be self-accepting about my looks, and what is and is not appropriate for me. I thought she looked great! Very put together and fashionable. Yes, our bodies and hair changes as we age - I hope that we are able to find the grace to accept it, and appreciate ourselves.
She does look good — and so do you and so do I! Humans are just so gorgeous and I wish we saw more images of all the different ways we’re all beautiful. 😁