April 25th, 2018

Vanity of VAnities

Where is your line in the sand? I have women and men daily say with shame, "I am vain." Yet their intonation, body language, and eye contact (or lack of) communicates the opposite. They have been scolded, bullied, or judged by others.

To care about aging is a character flaw, a weakness, a sign of shallowness. Thirty-something Leighton Meester, Gossip Girl star, is quoted as saying, "Any fear of aging, I think, is simply vanity." Ironically, if you were to rewind by 100 years or even 75 years, actresses, make-up, hair color, and pierced ears were only for the vain. Ms. Meester in the 1900s embodies what she currently criticizes. Many times a decision to remain natural and embrace age comes from those who are naturally beautiful with collagen-full apple cheeks.

Do you draw a line in the sand between aging gracefully and vanity? Women face sexism at any age but ageism comes with time. We are not allowed to wrinkle like our male counterparts. Paradoxically we are told to "age naturally," while those who age "unnaturally" are rewarded with higher pay and better jobs. How much is enough and too much? Do you have earrings? Cut your hair? Wear heels? Did you have braces? Do you wear make up? Do you wear ties or hats or cowboy boots? Are they necessary?
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Next time you come for a consult, think carefully. Are you so vain? Many times the answer is no!
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#vanity #ageism #youth #bully