Botox weirds me out. There is just something about people injecting stuff in their face and looking a bit like a blow-up doll-like that I don’t get. A lot of people do it, but it’s just not for me.
That may be why I look all of my age.
But I read this article over my morning coffee and I could not help but be perplexed that so many men and women are doing it.
Botox helps “Grey’s Anatomy” heartthrob Patrick Dempsey stay McDreamy, and Donny Osmond says he’s used it to keep his puppy love looks.
Even Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., reportedly used Botox to look more youthful on the 2004 campaign trail.
When I was growing up, I constantly worried about my weight, my hair and how I was perceived by others in a physical aspect. The older I got, the less it meant, and I guess I’m a bit unusual. I often feel somewhat left out of conversations when people are talking about the latest beauty aids. Don’t get me wrong, occasionally I like getting dolled up, but not not often. (and currently, my latest bag of make-up is lost and I cannot find it).
I’m too busy thinking about stuff, hanging out with people I love who love me for who I am and trying not to swallow my ever-increasing huge bush-sized hairdo as it is getting so long that it is constantly drifting toward my mouth.
I am sometimes hypersensitive about issues like not being the size of a bulimia victim, and then I realize, oh, now, come on. I’m force-fed this crap constantly from the media. I sort of wig out when people joke about it and try to make sure that I don’t hurt other people’s feelings and I have no sense of irony about it. (I know, I have a sense of humor, but I do have some baggage about people feeling of value and I always miss the joke. Part o’ newscoma’s baggage, I guess. This happened on Friday, and man, did I feel stupid that I put my baloney on someone else.)
And, let us remember that Marilyn Monroe was a size 16.
I have a couple of friends who have spent a fortune on plastic surgery to build their confidence who were quite beautiful in the first place. I have tried to be supportive during their “transformation” but I admit I don’t understand it. It’s constant money to keep it up and continual upgrades to their appearance.
But if they want to do that, fine.
As I careen into middle-age and I find myself holding on the hand-rails backing up a bit as I stare another year in the face, I realize there are several things that have are starting to define me as a woman in her forties.
Emotions are different. Perceptions are different. Finding value, knowing that most likely half my life is most likely over (I’m not being morbid, just talking about growing older), has become important.
Being appreciated for who I am, and not what people want me to be, that is a biggie.
So, I sit this morning, drinking coffee watching Wimbledon, Squirrel Queen is sitting across from me, looking at her own laptop and we are at peace with the day, because the moment is right now.
And I don’t need a needle in my face with an injection of the fountain of youth to let me know that life is what is is, and sometimes that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
But if any of my readers like the idea, good for you.
We are all different.
Well put…..
I’d rather look old than have someone fill my face with botulism. I tend to want to avoid toxins rather than seek them out.
I am with you. Especially since I am now 41 and seeing friends do thing such as this and wondering “why”. I am finally happy and comfortable in my own skin. It only took 40 years.
Got me thinking, and posting about a related topic here. I agree with you on the whole of this topic. I got started on a tangent for another…
Side note: Not to dispute the point of your post – i do agree, but I’m not sure where you got that Marilyn Monroe was a size 16. According to Wikipedia she was 5′ 5.5″ and 118lbs. Which, if i’m not mistaken would put her in the 10-12 area for a modern sizes. Not a size 2, but also not a 16. I hear that thrown around a lot. I’d be willing to bet she had most of her clothes custom made anyway, so she wasn’t buying much off the rack. Just random.
I know how you feel. I’m staring 47 right in the face (friday the 13th is my magic day). I try to feel comfortable in my own skin, but it is very very true in our society that we are all judged by how we look. I’m just as guilty of it as the next person, then I get mad when I catch myself doing it. But FYI, I think you are PERFECT the way you are!
When I was 40 I wanted my tits back and now that I’m pushing 50, I’d really just like to have my eyesight restored. So, I’m considering laisik surgery … but I’ll deal with the boobs that look at the floor.
For the last nine months or so, I’ve been celebrating the 14th anniversary of my 29th birthday. In September, I’ll celebrate its 15th anniversary. Yay me!
The appearance is not the person. Inside my (admittedly odd) brain, I’m still about 23 or so. That’s never changed. Our outward appearance is merely a collection of battle scars and reminders of where we’ve been. Nothing wrong with that.
Paul, I stand corrected because I went to Urban Legends and this is what they said:
http://www.snopes.com/movies/actors/mmdress.htm
Kathy T., you are lovely at any age you are. I’m just plum adore you.
Sara Sue, Girl, I need to meet you!!!
Russ, I so dig you. Seriously.
Newscoma, I think you’re pretty snazzy as you are. That’s the way I know you. I know what I like and I like what I know
Heh.
All youse ladies are awesome; whaddya talkin’ about?
Klinde is a certified knockout, btw. Of course, she has a German, like most knockouts.
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Pssht…call me vain but if I had the cash, I’d be getting pie-zin injected into those frown lines in between my eyebrows quicker than you can say Pamela Anderson.
Okay…you’re vain if you had the cash.