Can you reinvent yourself when you’re over 40? I guess the more important question is should you reinvent yourself. Can you change your style, taste, looks, etc. without looking like a midlife crisis?
Madonna has done it. I’ll let you be the judge as to whether or not it’s been successful over the years.
I think the only mistake she’s making is trying to hold on to her youth. Her clothing choices these days are questionable. And according to photos found all over the internet, it appears she’s taking some measures on her face to keep it looking young (in theory). I won’t judge. I’ll just say that it’s not my favorite look.
The truth is that I’ve always been a big fan of aging gracefully until I actually reached the point of aging. I realized that it’s not just about fine lines or laugh lines. It’s about things like loss of collagen and elastin (and gravity, of course) that makes our faces start to sag.
Oh, and have I mentioned metabolism? That’s perhaps the worst. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten lazier at the same time that my metabolism has slowed. And if I wasn’t sure if I was an apple shape before, it’s become more and more apparent. I can’t indulge in three big slices of pizza every Friday with a half a bottle of wine. At least not without consequences.
And how about the hormones? Never suffered from PMS? Don’t worry, you will. And you’ll be moody and depressed and your hair will fall out and you’ll generally have a grand time looking in the mirror wondering what the hell is happening.
So what’s a woman to do? What am I to do?
Let’s start with something simple. Like the hair.
I knew I needed a change but it probably wouldn’t come in the form of color. Brown is really the best hair color for me (or various shades thereof) and I’m not the type to add a splash of pink or purple. Just not me.
So I went for the cut. I went to my stylist with the idea of bangs. I even brought pictures and said just do something like this. And then I had bangs, which makes sense for me anyway because my hair is thinning in the front making it hard to style AND my hair just naturally grows forward. Why fight it?
They’re a little shorter than I wanted (but I needed to start shorter so I can resist the urge to sweep them off my forehead) and a little straighter. But I have full confidence that I’ll grow into this look.
After the haircut was complete on Thursday, something else started to change. I wanted to change everything else. I wanted to wear heels and tight pants and more eyeliner. I wanted to look edgy.
Admittedly, I have a ways to go before I look edgy but why not go for it? Just one problem. Those tight pants and edgy clothes I want to wear? I don’t quite fit into them comfortably (see metabolism up above). So I realized it was time I did something about that too.
I joined Weight Watchers.
No, I’m not going to meetings and having weigh-ins. I joined online only and paid out of my own pocket. No sponsored posts here and no unflattering before and after pictures online this time. I’ve learned that sometimes you don’t want to put it all out there.
And one last thing. It’s time to exercise. I mean it. I really need to do something besides look at my wrist and count how many steps I’ve taken. I’m not a worker-outer type of person so I’m going to fight hard to make this a habit. So today, I started the Couch to 5k program. Again. And I’m bringing my son with me because we both need it. Maybe by being a role model for him, it will push me further.
That’s it then. That’s my big reveal. My big reinvention. A haircut, a diet, and some exercise. I guess it’s not that radical after all.
What have YOU done to reinvent yourself? Tell me!
4 comments
I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF CREATING MINE NOW… working on the exercise and weight loss, then will work on the new look… AND totally not ashamed to say I am in a midlife crisis with work and life and am going to SHAKE THINGS UP – no idea what I am going to do but will not be the same ole same ole!!
GOOD for YOU!! When you hit the second half of life, you don’t want it to feel like it’s all downhill. LET’S DO THIS! Also, don’t be afraid to change up your look now. I find that when one things changes, it motivates me to change more!
Wow wow wow— your bangs look PERFECT on you! I love them!
I love the bangs! Good for you working on your own reinvention! You are making the wheels turn in my head too….