The beauty in aging

Recently, I started to notice the not-so-subtle signs of aging on my skin when I look in the mirror. Some lines that were not there before, have appeared and some of the fainter lines around my eyes have grown deeper in depth.

This morning I had a moment of panic while looking in the mirror. My ego quickly thought of products and solutions I could buy and do to slow down the process of aging. I even briefly considered getting Botox!

And who knows, maybe someday I will, no judgement here. But for the time being, I would like to embrace aging, surrender to aging, and see the beauty in aging.

As I sit with aging, I notice women around me who are younger and have more smoother skin, or the women who are my age or older and have what seems like flawless, plump and hydrated skin. I observe their beauty and how the face of their “vehicle” that drives them through this human experience seems perfect, young, healthy and flawless with minimal to no signs of damage. I observe this beauty.

And then I observe the more classic “vehicles”, the vintage ones, the faces of those who have had more trips around the sun then me, or those who’s life may have been harder than mine and the affects of it show up on their skin, When I look at these matured faces, I see so much wisdom in each line on their face. These bodies have lived life, they have laughed hard and they have cried even harder. They have worried about their loved ones and they have been caretakers, probably their entire lives. I see so much beauty in these faces. It’s almost like they wear their wrinkles, age spots and sun spots as badges of honor and I applaud this. I admire it. I feel so connected to it. I observe this beauty.

The Beauty in Aging

There is so much beauty in aging because there is so much beauty in living life. And in a society that bombards us with tips, tricks and procedures on how to slow down the hands of time, it’s easy to feel panicked and insecure about aging skin. But remember, this life is a gift, aging is a gift as so many young souls have left this Earth well before their time or wrinkles could settle into their beautiful faces.

Full disclosure, I began consulting for a skincare company about 6 years ago when I was just about 30, because their products helped me with acne that I had suffered from my whole life. I have since switched to anti-aging products but still have very acne prone skin. Early on in my side gig business, I would post countless before and after photos of all skin types, I would research skin and aging and a part of me felt conflicted as I wanted to embrace aging by releasing the ego, but I also had compassion for those who were attached to “ageless beauty”. But, what if we flipped the script from “ageless beauty” to “aging beauty”? What happens then? I would post these before and after pictures when my skin was still plump and healthy looking. Add three kids into the mix and more sleepless nights than I care to admit and you’ve got thin dry skin, and bags for days under the eyes. “Can I really embrace this? Can I really release my ego and attachments and find beauty in aging?” I ask myself this as I stare at my skin in the bathroom mirror.

Surrendering to Aging

Later that day, I was in a pilates class with other instructors and the energy was amazing. The group of women that gathered to support another instructor in her new training was incredible. The class was challenging and probably one of my favorite styles of working out- very similar to HITT or Tabata. I love these styles of workouts because they not only help to ground my energy by getting into my physical body, they also allow me to meet my ego on the mat and surrender.

I found myself on the mat with my ego and I had to be so present with my ego and keep it under control and out of the drivers seat. This means staying present and observing each and every movement and thought that arises. It means being one with my breath. It’s an experience of being hyper-present. As a massage therapist and energy worker, I have to be present while working out because one wrong move and my body is junk and my body is my tool and I need it to be of service to others.

At the end of this powerful, energetically charged class, we were all giving feedback and one of the instructors commented on how she surrendered to the teacher and gave up control of counting reps or even listening to the music. I loved this. It made me think of how amazing it can feel when we actually surrender to something or someone. This of course can be extremely scary and unsettling, especially if we have any trust issues, and come on- who does’t have a little trust issue? But this teacher’s comment reminded me of how wonderful it is to surrender and be present in your experience. This was exactly what I needed to hear in regards to my aging skin. Surrender, release, be present. See the beauty in aging.

I invite you to be present and surrender with the idea and affects of aging. To have admiration and love for your body, your amazing strong vehicle that drives you through your human experience, and to find gratitude for each fine laughing line and each deep wrinkle of wisdom.

Aging truly is a beautiful gift.

Namaste,

Amanda