What if Aging Isn’t the Enemy?

When was the last time you heard someone say, "I just love the idea of getting old!" or "I'm so excited about my aging skin!"?

With the possible exception of people who have fought their way back from serious illness or survived a trauma, it’s pretty rare.

In our youth-obsessed culture, aging is typically thought of as something to fear, fight, and hide. We're constantly bombarded with messages about "anti-aging" this and "age-defying" that.

But what if we've been looking at it all wrong?

🍃 What if we saw aging, not as an enemy, but a privilege that many don't get to experience?

I had this realization at a friend's funeral a few years ago. She passed away in her early 60s – far too young – and as I was watching the slide show of photos of her life that the family had made, I thought "She was beautiful at every age!" It wasn't because she always looked young. It was because her face always reflected her vibrant spirit, her kindness, and her experiences. She was my beautiful friend and I loved her.

And I realized that my sweet friend would have given anything for a few more years of "aging." She would have welcomed every new line and silver hair with open arms.

That perspective shift changed some things for me.

I started to see aging less as a decline, and more as an ongoing journey of becoming more fully myself. A self with more wisdom, more experiences, and yeah, ok – a few more laugh lines, too.

The truth is, there really is something very liberating about embracing the natural process of aging:

🍃 It frees us from the exhausting pursuit of an impossible standard

🍃 It allows us to focus on genuine well-being rather than just appearance

I🍃 t helps us appreciate our bodies for all they've carried us through

🍃 It connects us to the natural rhythms and cycles of life

Think about some of the most magnificent things in nature – ancient redwood trees, weathered canyon walls, the Grand Canyon itself. We don't look at these and think, "How sad that they’re getting old"! We marvel at their endurance, their character, and their beauty that could only come from weathering life for a long, long time.

So, why do we deny ourselves the same appreciation?

I’m not talking about giving up on our self-care or not wanting to look our best. Just the opposite. I’m talking about a shift from frantic, fear-based attempts to "reverse" aging to mindful practices that honor our journey while supporting radiance and vitality at every stage.

Face yoga, my favorite beauty practice, is very much aligned with this perspective. Instead of trying to "fix" or "correct" your natural aging process (or just pretend it’s not happening), it works with your body to enhance circulation, tone muscles, and release tension – allowing true vitality to shine through.