Adventures · Emptying the nest · Going Gray

How I embrace sag resistance in my 50s

As I approach the mid-way mark of another decade of life, I’m grateful for sag-resistance thoughts I learned to adapt along the way.   I don’t need a plastic surgeon, even if I’ve tried being one myself this year.

Ah, yes, the 50s are when we can’t help but notice what has changed in our appearance.  We pull off the cover-ups and well…yeah, it may look like things have seen better days.

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Aging bladders aside, we start to look down when the sags start to appear.  That’ll get to us if we let it.

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We all have some sags to reflect on.  And we should.  They made us who we are.

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Sags in the corners of our eyes brought on by tears we dropped as our kids flew the nest.  Those empty nest sags never really disappear.  They reappear when you least expect them to.

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The sags brought on by years of hidden holes in the heart of the home we’ve covered and now exposed.  Sags that need lifting up to a new level.  Wouldn’t be nice if we all had an instruction book and a heavy-duty tool, and strong arms to pull us along as we fight to embrace the changes of an empty nest?

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Not to mention sags we’ve exposed and let flow over our own belts.  Stretch-marks, and heck-I-shouldn’t-have-eaten-that-many-chips marks.  You know comfort food.

Sags remind us of a life well-lived, including all the extra servings of Tostitos that cause an extra stretching of the yoga pants.  Clothing with a give and take I tell ya is a good thing at this stage in life.

It’s okay to pause and watch sags happen, some come and go so quickly, you might just miss them if you’re not paying attention.

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My early life granted me many opportunities to test the waters of what sag-resistance would mean to me at this time of life.  Or at least to be okay with giving stretching my thoughts a try.

When I feel like the stresses of life are getting to be too much, I pause.  I sit and wonder and rejoice in the simple things in life.  The edges may be blurry, but if I focus, things do get better.

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I collect my thoughts and look for the path of least resistance and find acceptance helps.

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There is beauty in each teardrop shed or held close.  Just like snowdrops that turn to liquid drops at the right temperature, I warm up to changes as they come and go.  Even if I don’t shed tears ‘cuz I wanna be tough.  I don’t need to cry to feel better about the change in seasons.  I find reflecting on warm memories of sitting in the sunshine helps.  And knowing another change in season will come again.

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Now when I look in the mirror, I don’t see that youthful, bounce-back skin I once had.  I miss it sometimes.  I frankly don’t know if I’d recognize it if I saw it again?  I’m happy to be me I’ve become.

The former me has been replaced and refreshed with a new outlook on life.  I’m looking up at the changes, instead of down.

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Sure I see age marks.  Some new curves and wrinkles around the edges too.  And I see things I could nip and tuck and plaster with a cover-up.  A little bit of cover-up is okay.  Not too much though – that forms different kinds of wrinkles that need heavy-duty sanding to remove.

Ouch – I’m not into that!

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Mostly, though, I see my smile marks.  So many years of smiles along the way.  Every wrinkle means I’ve smiled and had moments of joy.  A little drop of moisture here and there helps, too.  Liquid Vitamin E is my go-to source, by the way.

Smiles make me sag-resistant.

Oh, and a new kitchen sink that works doesn’t hurt either – ‘cuz damn, that sure made me smile – those marks are sink deep!  😉

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Post Inspiration – #46 SeniSal – promoting yourself theme.   If you’re over 70 and you’re looking for tips on Party Wear for the holidays, check out Pamela’s post today.  Or check out Michele’s 6 books to read if you’re a friend in training.

PS – I embrace sag-resistance, yes I do.  How about you?  What do you do to be sag-resistant?  Or do you fight the sags and try to cover them up?  If so, why and what do you do to do so?  We’re on the home-stretch in the kitchen remodel – a new range vent is going in this week – we will be able to cook Thanksgiving dinner!!!  

 

42 thoughts on “How I embrace sag resistance in my 50s

  1. I wear all the marks of aging as a badge of honor – I earned every single one.

    It’s good to see water flowing. He’s not far from cooking in that dream kitchen.

    1. Thanks, John. You and Mr. are the same age, and he says the same thing about himself. Sags, scars, aches, pains, joints that hurt… 😉

  2. A new and working kitchen sink would make me smile, too, Shelley. I’m embracing aging naturally. Each day is a gift and I enjoy it as much as possible. #senisal

    1. Aw, thank you, Natalie! So nice to hear from you, thank you for stopping by to take a peek into our world. I’m like you – embrace the natural aging process. Yes, indeed, each day is a gift. I loved your post on the trip to Canada. I shared it with my hiking daughter. I bet they’ll put that place on their bucket list!! Thanks again for stopping by!! Happy Trails to you!

  3. I figure I’ve earned every sag, bulge, wrinkle, white hair, bald spot, ache, pain etc. Some people trat their bodies as temples; I treat mine like a garage. It is kind of a shock to see myself in the mirror, though: I look and ask myself “who’s that old bastard?”

  4. Those wrinkles that appeared on my face when I lost a lot of weight. At first I was so disappointed that they were there. Then I realized they were laughter wrinkles that lit up my face when happy. Wrinkiles from laughter around the eyes. Yes totally earned them. Laughter wrinkles look amazing. Keep smiling as the sad wrinkles look “sad”. I wear them proudly (I’m 64 so I should have a few lol) #SeniSal

    1. Aw, yes, that happens too. We do get disappointed when we look at them as an unwelcomed stage. You’re right to change the perspective and embrace them. With all your fun travels, and wine with lunch, I bet your laughter wrinkles sparkle with delight! Thank you for stopping by, I enjoyed hearing from you! Safe travels to you, Bree! xxxxx

  5. I have noticed more and more sags, stretch marks, and wrinkles as the years roll on. There is nothing that I can do about them, at least nothing I WOULD do, so I have to embrace them. What other choice do we have? Thank you for the beautiful reminder that each day is a gift.

    1. You’re right – embracing them is the perfect thing to do! You’re welcome, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I hope you and Benji enjoy your walk today!! xxxxx

  6. I don’t much worry about sags, yet. No doubt one day I’ll wake up and be shocked. In the meantime I figure I’m still here and that works for me.

    1. LOL – I think that day will be a post-worthy moment, maybe even poll-worthy? 😉 Yes, we’re still here and that works just fine!!

  7. Sags happen! That’s the way I look at it. It is gravity pure and simple. The mirror does NOT reflect who I see inside though. It is odd. It’s also the time in life when I insist that anyone taking my photo take it from above if possible 🙂

    1. Yes, they do! LOL. I agree. Okay – taking photo from above so you have to look up, right? That’s a great selfie trick. Sometimes I just take one from below to scare myself into looking up. 😉

    1. Thank you, Anita, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Our bodies are fascinating at all stages – life well-lived and enjoyed is a gift we should embrace.

  8. Sags happen, just like other things … I also had dark circles under my eyes, and though I don’t especially care for eyeglasses after wearing contact lenses for 35 years, I concede that at least the circles don’t show up. Sadly, gravity happens too – ouch!

  9. Wonderful post. We certainly have earned all the sagging and scars from a full life. Kudos to you for writing about this and making it so rewarding.

  10. Hi Shelley – I have enjoyed the home remodel Tag along with you this year.
    And love the way you used the pictures for this very thoughtful post!
    You have the kind of outlook that is fresh and alive and healthy!
    And I love essential oils and was pretty amazed at how you never gave up to heal the barnacle – whew – so I enjoyed that post about your DIY- and did not see comments over there – I have used essential oils for a lot of things and love trying Alternative remedies because they are usually better and usually get to the root cause –

    And cheers to appreciating “sags” which I call patina – because too often in our culture people cannot embrace wrinkles or aging –

    1. Thank you for joining us on our impromptu remodeling. It was a whim that is lasting 60 days.
      I appreciate your feedback!!
      Yes, I was surprised that the essential oils worked. I was desperate to not have to spend thousands at the plastic surgeons office. When the dermatologist didn’t discourage me from trying, I was on a mission. I’m so glad I stuck with it. (Comments are shut on my posts after 60 days, I think?!)
      I like it – patina, nice!! For me, I appreciate the all the stages – it means my body is doing what it is meant to do, and I love it that I’m still alive to enjoy the journey.

      1. I need to close comments on some old posts too – recently opened them all and spam came in… even if WordPress is awesome with catching spam it still might be wise to close them –
        Anyhow – wishing you a good day

        1. I had to close old posts because I had merged my old blog with my new blog and it didn’t go well with keeping all the posts open. Spam happens – I’m amazed at how many comments are captured as spam. I wish you a great day too!!

  11. Oh, the sags! It started in the late 40’s, when menopause directed all of those chips and donuts to head straight for the waistline. I miss my flat tummy. Then again, as long as I exercise and eat healthy 95% of the time, I can live with it. The changes are simply a reminder of the life we’ve lived and that we’re still upright and breathing. 🙂

    1. LOL – You’re right – we’ve earned our status and if we’re healthy 95% of the time, we’re in good standing at this stage in life! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, much appreciated! Hope you have a great weekend – hugs to the kitties too!

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