Let’s talk about aging for a change.

The media bombards us from every possible angle with the message: “You only matter when you’re young and beautiful by our standards.” And there’s an entire army of products out there “fighting against” aging.

But what about embracing it?

On one hand, we’re constantly told to accept ourselves as we are — while at the same time being sold things we don’t just not need, but that have gone way beyond any reasonable limit. But fair enough, people in marketing have to make a living too, right? We’re not here to tilt at the windmills of big corporations.

Let’s talk about ourselves instead.

How many of you spotted your first grey hairs in your mid-twenties and immediately ran to the hairdresser to dye them, even though the thought had never crossed your mind before?

That’s what I thought.

And it’s all because of this: stay young forever, fight aging.

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I’m Not Ashamed of My Grey Hair — and Here’s Why

But back to the grey. I’m one of those lucky ones who, past the age of 25, already had plenty of grey hairs — now full-on streaks, actually. And I’ve earned every single one of them, if you believe the old saying that worry makes you go grey. I find that rather charming — and I love to say I’m like Rogue (yes, the X-Men character in the picture — those who know, know).

No, I have no desire or need to hide my grey hairs. And no, I won’t be dyeing my hair — at least not anytime soon.

I’ve always been against dyeing, for several reasons. First and foremost, I love my natural hair color — there’s no dye in the world that could recreate those transitions between dark and light blonde, brown and auburn, the way nature did it.

On top of that, dyeing would genuinely feel like a burden. I’m already annoyed enough by the fact that I have to wax and pluck my eyebrows regularly (read: when it really can’t be avoided anymore) — the last thing I need is yet another “must” that actually isn’t one.

On the other hand, I truly believe that a woman — like a man — is most beautiful when she’s natural, clean, and put-together. The beauty industry probably can’t survive on that idea alone, though…

I have no problem with getting older. I see aging as a process that, above all, makes us more experienced — and therefore wiser. Just think about how many books you can still read between now and your eighties. Wow.

The Industry That Wages War on Aging

The real problem lies somewhere else. The problem is a society that has been programmed to fight aging. Which is why it’s nearly impossible to find a product for CARING for grey hair — only ones that FIGHT AGAINST this so-called phenomenon. And that’s the same message, over and over again: don’t go grey, resist it.

And this isn’t just about draining your wallet — that would be the lesser problem. The bigger issue is the worm that’s been planted deep in our subconscious, making you feel guilty and insecure because, yet again, something is apparently wrong with you.

From Pimples to Wrinkles — a Battle That Never Ends

As a teenager, you’re fighting acne. Then your twenties arrive and you’re supposed to finally enjoy life. Except — surprise — now it’s time to start fighting the first wrinkles (and/or grey hairs) and spend the rest of your life worrying, because, God forbid, you’re aging.

And while we’re at it — has it ever struck you as odd that grey-haired men are considered more attractive and distinguished, while women with grey hair get labeled as “old” or “past their prime”? I won’t go deeper into that rabbit hole right now — it deserves its own, more thorough exploration. But think about it…

God willing, we all get to grow old — and not just see our children’s children, but their children too.

When my grandmother tries to explain how she feels watching Sofia, and can’t quite find the words, she just says: “God willing, you’ll experience this yourself one day — then you’ll know what I mean.” And I just say: “I hope so.”

And that, to me, is what actually matters — whether we’ll be there for all the beautiful things still waiting for us (for me, that’s family above everything else, the generations to come). How many wrinkles or grey hairs I’ll have by then honestly doesn’t concern me.

What worries me far more is the thought of one day getting Alzheimer’s and losing everything I’ve ever read and learned — not the fact that my hair will sooner or later turn white. Whether that happens from worry or not barely matters.

S-Mama