Aging among women over forty is like the weather—an unavoidable, universal topic that feels fresh every time we bring it up. Just like small talk about the forecast fills awkward silences with neighbors we see daily but don’t know, aging fills conversations with friends who already know exactly what’s coming. We discuss it as if each of us is the only chosen one to experience aging, exaggerating every ache and wrinkle for dramatic effect. And despite how frustrating the topic is, we absolutely must bring it up—like a sacred ritual—because what else would we bond over if not the great mysteries of metabolism slowdown, sudden back pain, and why our skin suddenly needs “hydration” like it just crossed a desert?
And speaking of deserts, it’s not just our faces feeling dry—everything else does, too.
The most entertaining part of aging isn’t just the experience itself; it’s observing the wide range of reactions from women. On one end of the spectrum, the Zen Goddesses claim to embrace aging naturally, even if their skincare routines cost more than rent. They refer to wrinkles as “laugh lines” and gray hair as “wisdom highlights,” as if rebranding these features makes them less noticeable. On the other end are the Panic-Stricken, who inspect their reflections like a crime scene and treat every new fine line as a crisis demanding immediate action. In the chaotic middle, you find the Fighters—women who refuse to go down without a struggle. They might resort to Botox, consume strange collagen smoothies, or stand under LED face masks as if trying to communicate with aliens.
No matter where we land on the spectrum, we all talk about aging as if we’re the first to experience it. We trade horror stories, exaggerate symptoms for dramatic effect, and act like time personally targeted us for punishment. But deep down, we all know the real secret: aging isn’t the enemy—lousy lighting is.
Ah, then there’s that type, the Time Traveler. These women don’t deny ageing; they reverse it and act like high school never ended. They’re responsible adults one moment, and the next, they’re dressing, talking, and making life choices as if they just got their first fake ID. But what’s surprising? They don’t just update their wardrobe—they reject their entire reality. Husbands become boring, kids are too demanding, and suddenly, they declare newfound freedom as if they’ve just escaped captivity. They behave as if life happened to them instead of acknowledging their choices. I’m trying not to judge—live and let live, right?—but when do we admit this isn’t a reinvention? It’s a midlife crisis accompanied by a playlist of teenage heartbreak songs. If you’re acting 16 while still complaining about knee pain, I have questions.
As I navigate my place on the aging spectrum—between feeling Zen and a bit panicked—I want to wish happy aging to all the incredible women in our lives! Friends, relatives, neighbors, and family… let’s embrace every wrinkle, every laugh line, and every moment of “Why does my back hurt for no reason?” If we focus on numbers, let’s remember they reflect how fortunate we are to keep adding to them. Here’s to a long, healthy life—may we age with grace, humor, and just the right amount of denial!
Dana Obeid
Fun and insightful way to think about aging.