Hi Jenna, I loved this piece. I was a long time reader of your blog Sweet Fine Day. I also just turned 50 and can relate to all these feelings. I had my 2 girls in my 40s and it’s interesting being by far the oldest mom in my kids’ school classes..the wisdom that this age brings is really nice though. Really enjoying your writing, thank you
I think it’s inevitable … that meme is spot on. Im 54 and most days I walk around feeling and thinking I look a certain way until I catch a reflection on a store window that I’m passing😩😂. Sort of strange but I try to be grateful and remember this..”I’m outside, I’m walking..etc”
This piece is lovely. The book Chinatown Pretty crossed my mind…
Oh my god, so right you are. The other day Per and I were looking at old family pictures. I was pretty when I was younger and, while not ugly, I am no longer pretty in the 30-year old context. So Per asks who this person is in one picture. It was me. Gasp. He could’ve just left it at that, but, no, he kept going. “If I saw you walking down the street I wouldn’t recognize you at all.” boom.
Sat here nodding my head through much of this. I distinctly remember the first moment I realized that my mother was getting older. She was 21 when she had me, and always looked young as well, and I remember noticing the grey that was popping up that I had never seen before. In the year between 45 and 46 I've seen more pop up than I ever expected in one single year. I could quote so many things in this piece. Thank you so much for sharing. Glad to have stumbled upon your writing.
I connect with the idea of transition and invisibility being a mother of 3 small children and in my mid 30s. Interesting to think that another big transition happens in the 50s.
I’m turning 49 this week and ready to embrace my 50s. Is it true we have a distorted view of how we actually look like? Is that why whenever we see ourselves in photos, it’s alarming? Even with that lens do add 5lbs crap. Haha.
Happy birthday week Selina! It's like when you pass by your reflection in a window and you don't immediately recognize yourself. I think it's harder to see ourselves aging physically when inside we don't feel any different at all. And I thought the camera adde 10 pounds, not 5!
Very thoughtful piece, Jenna. Thanks
Thank you!
I can almost hear your squawk when your mom asked if you were going to cut your hair after A was born 😂❤️
😂 Haha, totally.
Lovely piece Jenna, thank you.
Thank you, Nora.
Hi Jenna, I loved this piece. I was a long time reader of your blog Sweet Fine Day. I also just turned 50 and can relate to all these feelings. I had my 2 girls in my 40s and it’s interesting being by far the oldest mom in my kids’ school classes..the wisdom that this age brings is really nice though. Really enjoying your writing, thank you
Hi Susan! Great to hear from you, and thank you so much for reading.
I think it’s inevitable … that meme is spot on. Im 54 and most days I walk around feeling and thinking I look a certain way until I catch a reflection on a store window that I’m passing😩😂. Sort of strange but I try to be grateful and remember this..”I’m outside, I’m walking..etc”
This piece is lovely. The book Chinatown Pretty crossed my mind…
I don't know that book! I will look it up.
Oh my god, so right you are. The other day Per and I were looking at old family pictures. I was pretty when I was younger and, while not ugly, I am no longer pretty in the 30-year old context. So Per asks who this person is in one picture. It was me. Gasp. He could’ve just left it at that, but, no, he kept going. “If I saw you walking down the street I wouldn’t recognize you at all.” boom.
I mean what did he expect?? That was 30 years ago!! So unrealistic these standards we're supposed to live up to!
Sat here nodding my head through much of this. I distinctly remember the first moment I realized that my mother was getting older. She was 21 when she had me, and always looked young as well, and I remember noticing the grey that was popping up that I had never seen before. In the year between 45 and 46 I've seen more pop up than I ever expected in one single year. I could quote so many things in this piece. Thank you so much for sharing. Glad to have stumbled upon your writing.
Glad you stumbled here! And thanks so much for reading and leaving a comment. We're all in this aging thing together :)
Loved this, thank you.
I connect with the idea of transition and invisibility being a mother of 3 small children and in my mid 30s. Interesting to think that another big transition happens in the 50s.
Yes! And coincides with empty nesting too :) Big, big transitions.
I’m turning 49 this week and ready to embrace my 50s. Is it true we have a distorted view of how we actually look like? Is that why whenever we see ourselves in photos, it’s alarming? Even with that lens do add 5lbs crap. Haha.
Happy birthday week Selina! It's like when you pass by your reflection in a window and you don't immediately recognize yourself. I think it's harder to see ourselves aging physically when inside we don't feel any different at all. And I thought the camera adde 10 pounds, not 5!