rutamattatt Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 What does that phrase mean to you? I realized the other day that I have a different idea of what "growing old gracefully" means than than a friend of mine. Just curious what others think... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann.without.an.e Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 You don't fight it and you don't try to look and act 20 when you are way beyond that! Is there another interpretation. Now you have me curious :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassy Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 To me it means not fighting it, looking natural. To other people I know it means fighting it every inch of the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 It is something I do not plan on doing. While I do not want to go back to my 20s I certainly do not want to leave the house with gray hair, saggy baggy frumpy clothes, unfit body or flat shoes. I certainly do not want to sit on the porch in a rocking chair. I want to be vital and active until the day before they put me in the pine box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJ. Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 To me it means accepting your age, not constantly complaining about how "old" you are, not trying to dress like a teenager - which doesn't mean you have to dress frumpy just put the bikini and mini skirt away!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nono Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 which doesn't mean you have to dress frumpy just put the bikini and mini skirt away!!!!! Oops! :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danestress Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Trying to look good for the age you are, rather than the age you wish you were. So basically staying healthy, keeping weight appropriate, keeping your body fit, being well groomed and stylish, but not dressing too young, piling on tons of make up, or wearing your hair the way it looked great in 1984. I think 'graceful' aging includes letting the younger women be the "hot" ones while you cultivate an attractive but refined and dignified presence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJ. Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Oops! :tongue_smilie: Unless you can get away with it of course :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Trying to look good for the age you are, rather than the age you wish you were. So basically staying healthy, keeping weight appropriate, keeping your body fit, being well groomed and stylish, but not dressing too young, piling on tons of make up, or wearing your hair the way it looked great in 1984. I think 'graceful' aging includes letting the younger women be the "hot" ones while you cultivate an attractive but refined and dignified presence. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 I can tell you that it doesn't involve bleach-blonding my hair to cover the greys, starving myself to become stick-thin, squeezing into yoga pants and other twenty-something fashions, wearing false eyelashes and blue eyeliner, fake-baking or Botox injections. I do appreciate cute fashions but take my teen dd shopping with me. While she occasionally suggests items I don't think I can successfully wear at my age, she is a great advisor when I am in doubt. She has learned to say, "I don't think so, mom," with a most gracious smile. It does involve taking better care of myself than I used to have to, I use a bit more equipment and supplies than I used to, spend more on hair care help than I used to, but strive to stay within the realm of a natural appearance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 You don't fight it and you don't try to look and act 20 when you are way beyond that! Is there another interpretation. Now you have me curious :D Hijacking to ask about your name. Is it pronounced like Charlie or Carly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 I believe it means not to fight the aging process, but to embrace it. Personally, after my 40s I stopped dying my long hair and cut it to a near-pixie, leaving me completely silver haired. Mental state is paramount. Being happy and content with who you are and not becoming grizzled or bitter by life goes a long, long way towards aging gracefully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nono Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Unless you can get away with it of course :D LOL! Well, I confess to helping start the whole bikini top and board shorts look, because well, I've never had a bottom for bikinis! I also run mostly on the beach in the summer, and it's stinkin' hot, usually, so my middle is exposed. It's just the better part of my middle. ;) I never thought in my late 40s that I'd still be able to go this bare. Luckily, the young women are letting so much hang out that I still look OK doing what I'm doing. Now, that being said, I would N-E-V-E-R step off the beach and into town without a cover-up on! That would be totally out-of-bounds at my age. No matter what shape! I think in the end, it usually boils down to motivation. I don't continue to pursue athletics to appear young. I do it because I enjoy being active and (sometimes) competitive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoriK Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 I plan to lie about my age. :) Not in the way you probably think. I am not going to tell anyone that I am younger than I actually am. I plan to tell people that I am older. Think about it. I am 40. If I tell you I am 30, you either know I am a liar or if you happen to believe me, you think that I haven't aged well. But, if I tell you I am 50, you are thinking, "Man, that Lori looks great for her age!" LOL OK, I haven't resorted to telling lies about my age, but I do think that age is a state of mind and I will be one of those crazy grannies out turning cartwheels with her grandkids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammi K Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Growing old gracefully....not tripping over your own feet as you hop up and down crying, "I will not turn 50! I will not turn 50! I will not turn 50!" (50 didn't listen. :glare:_ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristyB in TN Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 My husband just asked me this morning to stop saying "I'm too old for..." I suppose I say it too much. I guess gracefully means to avoid the aging milestones as much as possible, being as fit and healthy as possible and being happy, fulfilled and positive about others as well as yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rutamattatt Posted June 22, 2012 Author Share Posted June 22, 2012 Thanks for all the replies! I guess I never really thought much about the physical aspects when I hear the phrase "growing old gracefully". I always thought it was more about becoming wiser, more refined, embracing your age, not lying about it, not trying to be something you are not, etc. I have absolutely no trouble with telling people my age (39), and I feel like I have learned some hard and important lessons in each of those years, and I want full credit. :001_smile: I bumped into a friend at the store the other day who started going naturally gray at a very early age (and is LOVELY gray - oh my goodness, her hair is beautiful!). She told me she doesn't color her hair because she wants to "grow old gracefully". I quickly hid the box of maroon highlights behind my back... :001_huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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