Da kittums, dat’s who.
I confess, I tried to set up a cute picture of one of my cats looking in the mirror for today’s prompt (Primp). It didn’t work. I guess they aren’t as vain as their mama.
So let’s move on from the kittens, and on to me…
![AdobeStock_98604038 [Converted]](https://belindaostrowski.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/adobestock_98604038-converted.png?w=204&h=300)
I spend less time these days in front of mirror than I did years ago, although of course, in my younger years I was working with better material. Most of us hit our peak before 50. It’s just a fact. These days, looking at my neck depresses me.
Fixing myself up used to be a lot more fun.
When I get my hair cut, I make sure I’m wearing the full visage. Too much time staring at that mirror under those lights. I don’t know what it is about salons and retail stores, but the lighting is always so harsh. Okay, salons, maybe they need it to accurately see what they’re doing, and I’ll forgive them for that reason. But why should The Gap make me feel bad about myself when I’m trying on jeans?
It isn’t the visible signs of aging that concern me as much as the time that is passing by without achieving what I believe I’m capable of doing. Yet I hold fast to my belief in the power of subtle changes.
There are days when your world might completely turn around for the better, and it’s possible all good things will come to you in short order. Generally, however, the gifts in life are given to us one at a time, until one day we look back and say, “hey, my life is growing stronger.”
Where I am today is far better than where I was five years ago. Some of it feels the same, but the reality is, it simply isn’t. Yes, there are stresses in my life, but I believe things will work out. That’s been my experience in far worse circumstances than what I’m facing today.
Thank God for the power of experience. It’s–no other word for it here–a relief. Okay, other words fit, too–it’s a comfort. It’s confidence. It helps you sort out what matters. You don’t worry so much about what’s going on outside your control.
But today I think I’ll spend a little extra time in front of the mirror and see where that gets me. A little primping might do my heart good.
Image Credit: © sapunkele — Adobe Stock
My World With Words 
I’m glad you wrote this, Belinda. It really resonated with me. You’re so right about looking for those subtle changes. And I am also in a better place than I was five years ago. It is hard to see the aging in the mirror, but honestly – it is inescapable. So the beauty truly does lie within, a lesson I learned long ago that I’m reminded of with every passing year.
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Yes, it truly is, and no one cares as much about what I look like as I do. They care about how I treat them. So I move forward, knowing that the passage of time isn’t always fair 🙂
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I have the same problem. My life accomplishments are not what I thought they’d be at 57. My daughter sent me a video once about all the women who accomplished great things after 50. I wish I had kept it. As far as makeup goes, there is an upside to living where you know no one. No makeup required but I have been putting forth an effort and wear makeup most days. Just a quick 15 mins and I’m done. Your blog has been a support and inspiration.
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Thank you, Dede. I think of you often when I write posts like this, knowing your struggles and dedicated efforts to make your life better. I hope you’re doing well. I believe you will be one of those women whose greatest accomplishments (except your children, perhaps!) will come after 50. Your life has been leading you to this.
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You know when you read something and think you could have written it yourself…the name of the author could easily have been your own? Pretty much the same thoughts at my end…except for additional time in front of my mirror. No primping here…peaked awhile ago and it is what it is! One thought you expressed really rang true considering the passage of time relative to what one still has to offer. I continue to rely on life experience as well…to keep me hopeful and positive regardless of current conditions.
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Thank you! High compliment. Life experience becomes of one our greatest commodities, doesn’t it?
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