The Cost of Beauty at Midlife
Calling all midlife women – without judging yourself, can you assess how much of your time and energy goes into making sure you are “looking good” by wearing the current fashion, driving a “hip” car, living in a designer inspired home, or looking like a younger person?
It’s a great way to gain some perspective. Add up the amount of money you have spent in the last month in your effort to maintain your appearance. (Hair appointments, waxing, cosmetics, beauty products, surgery, clothing, etc.) Multiply times twelve to get an idea on what you might spend annually.
Again, without judgment – notice what comes up for you when you see that number… and let me know!
January 30th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
I stubbled on your website as I search for the stories of other souls especially those with such a wonderful perspective of our next 50, as you so articulately.
I admit that when I turned 50 I was still waxing, getting a hip haircut every 6 weeks, getting my acrylic nails done every 2 weeks, buying a new car every 3 or 4 years and of course I was working 60 to 70 hours a week to keep up. My husband retired and we moved to the country and my life changed drastically. I have my own nails now and use a tweezer on the brows, I get a hair cut every 3 or 4 months when I cannot do anything with my hair and I am still driving my 2004 PT Cruiser because I love not having a car payment. I have saved a tremendous amount of money not keeping up with all of that stuff. I go to the doctor for checkups and to be healthy and would never do any “plastic” surgery to get rid of those laugh lines, or the frown lines, I have earned them. I cleaned my closets out during early winter and gave away to St. Vincent De Paul Society, 6 extra coats, 4 extra blankets and tons of sweaters and sweatshirts that we just had on hand. I keep asking myself, “what’s with all the excess?”. I still have plenty of excess and stuff that I just thought I had to have to stay cool, hip and with it. I don’t need “things” to keep me cool or hip, just the fact that I have lived 55 years makes me pretty cool. Thanks for making me think.
January 31st, 2009 at 9:38 am
Hi Jeanette,
It’s amazing how we boomer women can simplify our lives without sacrificing the things that really matter – our families, our sense of well-being, our peace of mind! It sounds like you have hit that age 55 ‘speed-bump” that makes one slow down and take a fresh look at HOW you choose to live. Good for you. Sounds like you have reached the place where ‘giving’ is more rewarding than ‘getting’ ever was.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:54 pm
How much do I spend maintaining my aging body? Chuckle… precious little. I spend more at the doctor’s office than anywhere and try to keep that down, too. Let’s see: a Curves membership (which I need to take advantage of). No hair color. No hair cuts — it’s long instead. No brow wax, no artificial nails, no facials. I Despise (with a capital “D”) clothes shopping. Ditto for shoes. I use an over-the counter makeup line and get it at Wal-Mart or CVS. Hmmmm… jewelry? I just replaced my wedding band with an inexpensive one since a little avoirdupois and a lot of swelling from arthritis in my hand made the old one unwearable. Just got a watch for under $20. My car is 3 years old and I will drive it till it falls off the wheels.
It costs about the same as it always has to maintain me — not much.
February 12th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Enjoyed reading your comments, only with I could be more like all of you. My problem is my skin, so many wrinkles, age spots, and tired looking skin. I am a sucker when it comes to cosmetics and the promises they make. It was encouraging to read your comments.