I called it the Demi Moore Syndrome, but author Jaye Manus nailed it - The Get A Better Hobby Syndrome.
She’s so right! Note the exclamation point for emphasis. I can think of lots better hobbies than looking in the mirror.
There’s so much pressure on us to remain frozen in time, say… somewhere between 25-35 years old in appearance and party-tude, i.e. party-attitude, not that I go to parties. I am notoriously anti-social. But if we do attend social events we risk catching the Joan Rivers Mask-like Plastic Surgery Syndrome. I recently saw the photo of an author I adore. I shrieked in horror at the sight of her new face. Think Jim Carey in The Mask. Wearing the mask. Sigh. I blame Luis Lumiere for inventing the motion picture. He’s got a great name, don’t you think?
My grandmothers never wrestled with the fact of aging. They had so many other things to do and think about- but then they weren’t constantly bombarded by images of women in their 40′s, 50′s and 60′s - images that have been digitally and surgically manipulated - and told by the popular media that we should look the same which, I’m sorry, isn’t possible. Well, it is possible if we’re willing to… and even then it’s not possible. HD doesn’t do us any favors.
Wow. Seems like all that bra burning and fussing about equal opportunity didn’t even scratch the surface of our insecurities.
I guess what we really need (and secretly want) is a man to take charge, give us a good spanking (see Jennifer Armintrout’s take on Fifty Shades), a starvation diet, and a major body overhaul.
Here’s a woman I admire, a woman who seems to have her head screwed on straight. She’s so beautiful- Patti Hansen (Richards). I think she’s just fabulous.
This video is worth watching. From The Early Show on CBS:
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I don’t understand the need to go under the knive. I feel bad for those famous people who do and come out looking like The Mask.
if i weren’t afraid of general anesthesia I be on the table in a NY minute. I would be pinched, sucked tucked and rebuilt to have what I wanted, and what I read in books and see. Equal Rights was more about having the choice to be who we want. Me, I am choosing shallow and vapid…
Plus we’ve both been under the knife for elective procedures that had, in my case, bad results — dental surgery and eye surgery. My dental was elective but parentally decided and has resultedin years of further surgery. My modified PRK adjustments may cause my cornea to collapse or become even more misshapen which has screwed with my eyes. What’s even worse? My nespresso cap piercer just died leaving me in a crap mood!
I have a thing about old people….I love them! In fact, I decided the next WIP I’m working on is my geriatric love story. Maybe I’m weird, but I love wrinkles and scars and white hair. Young people are okay, but they don’t have the same wealth of knowledge, life experience, and potential for awesome backstories that older folks do. I do understand why Hollywood actresses feel the need to “fix” themselves, but I have a lot more respect for the ones who are aging gracefully and naturally. And look like a real human being instead of a piece of plastic.
http://thehairpin.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/ongoldenpond01.jpeg
I love the age I am. It’s my spirit that needs a lift now and then.
I want to remember who I was but I don’t expect to look like her.
I believe as more and more bad plastic surgery goes public and the illusion fades that it is an easy ‘fix” it will become less popular.
XXOO Kat
We need spirit lift surgery, Kat. I think it would be far more helpful. Shamans do spirit surgery.
Oh Penny - my favorite all time actress, Katherine Hepburn. And she never had surgery and she remained active and involved until the very end. I adored her. I suspect she would have scoffed at all the surgery women have today.
I do agree, Steph, it’s all about choice. But I have seen such unanticipated horrific results from unnecessary plastic surgery - not to mention the addiction factor. Look at Meryl Streep and Susan Sarandon - chances are they’ve had a little work done, but they’ve been cautious and selective. And as a nurse I agree 100% with a patient’s choice to have reconstructive surgery of any kind.
But studies have shown that if you have fat cells sucked out of one area, the fat cells in another area enlarge. Which is why women who have fat removed from their thighs and butt end up with fat arms and a fat neck.
Amber, I think just because you have money does not mean you make the best decisions.
There is a saying when people have too much work done..When they smile their ass crack opens up..
Hate needles. Hate anesthesia and what it does to me (makes my hair fall out). Reallllly hate “recovery”. Nope, not a candidate. And when it gets down to it, I pretty much earned every wrinkle.
Oh Anny! I don’t mind needles but when I had knee surgery and anesthesia my hair fell out in chunks for at least 3 months. It was awful! I thought I’d go completely bald. I know… it’s the anesthesia!
I’ve had wrinkles in my forehead since I was a kid. My dad always called them ‘reading wrinkles’. It’s okay with me.
I don’t mind faces that have been tweaked but still look natural - I’d never know if the person didn’t tell me.
Savannah - LOL!
My 5 cents worth is just this and it may be bollocks, but …
Why do we spend so much time looking at old buildings around the world
maybe cos they are old and have aged gracefully and are really beautiful to look at maybe most people would be just as beautiful if they let nature take it’s course
UNLESS YOU WERE REALLY UGLY TO BEGIN WITH, THEN FOR GOODNESS SAKE, JUST BOOK THE APPOINTMENT …..
When it comes to buildings, Tom, the older the better! And you know, I adored my grandmothers and they both looked like grandmothers - young but grandmothers.
How about Diane Lane as a role model for how to age with grace and class?
You know, Yoshi, I’m glad you mentioned Diane Lane. She’s fabulous! She looks great.