Guest guest Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 Alana, the flip side of getting older, and the part I have to admit I REALLY do enjoy, is coming to the understanding that there are things you SHOULD do, and there are things you MUST do, and the two lists really are not the same. I find that getting older has FREED me from so many of the shoulds in life, and that things I used to get so hot and bothered about I just toss aside mentally and emotionally. It's like your FOCUS changes, and you come to under stand that things you focused on as a younger person aren't really all that important. This is the part I really do like about getting older (I'll be 47 this year). I had my haircut this weekend and asked the lady, jokingly, if she could only cut out the gray. She said there'd be nothing left (thanks! There went your tip!) LOL! She mentioned that there's always hair coloring, but that's a road you can't really come back from and frankly, as I sat there, I thought I'm PROUD of my gray. I've earned each and every one of them and I'm KEEPIN' 'EM! Why, as you said in your post, are we so afraid of gray?! I know there are societies and cultures that value the elderly - we ain't one of 'em. How sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 Alana, the flip side of getting older, and the part I have to admit I REALLY do enjoy, is coming to the understanding that there are things you SHOULD do, and there are things you MUST do, and the two lists really are not the same. I find that getting older has FREED me from so many of the shoulds in life, and that things I used to get so hot and bothered about I just toss aside mentally and emotionally. It's like your FOCUS changes, and you come to under stand that things you focused on as a younger person aren't really all that important. This is the part I really do like about getting older (I'll be 47 this year). I had my haircut this weekend and asked the lady, jokingly, if she could only cut out the gray. She said there'd be nothing left (thanks! There went your tip!) LOL! She mentioned that there's always hair coloring, but that's a road you can't really come back from and frankly, as I sat there, I thought I'm PROUD of my gray. I've earned each and every one of them and I'm KEEPIN' 'EM! Why, as you said in your post, are we so afraid of gray?! I know there are societies and cultures that value the elderly - we ain't one of 'em. How sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 I won't repeat myself too much (giggles), but for sure age is a factor, just like stress from other daily things which add onto IE 'stuff'. I started having such changes myself some where in my 40s too Alana. One thing really HIT me - hot flashes! And because I wasn't ready to 'suffer' thru those (like all the ladies before had), I sent to my doctor and asked about hormone therapy. It helped with the hot flashes, reversed my 'rosy, dry cheeks' and didn't totally prevent my skin from aging, but must have slowed it down a bit. My FNP, a woman who specializes in woman's medical issues, told me that the 'thinking' at this time is that women are better served to start hormone replacement therapy before menopause. The idea is that one's body can more easily accept and utilize the medication then as well as easing menopause symptoms too. It seems that most of the original testing of hormone replacement therapy was conducted on women in their 60s+ and had already gone thru the menopause stage. And while the medication somewhat helped those who still suffered nasty hot flashes/night sweats, it didn't help in the ways that the testing team expected. I have recently had my medication lowered by my FNP as she feels that I have pretty much gone thru menopause and now a lower dose will achieve the same positive effects with out over medicating which may end up causing other problems. Some days I think its all a crap shoot, but one must do what one thinks is 'right' based on the information ya have when ya get it ;-) And of course there is the 'standard disclaimer' of - consult YOUR doctor for YOUR reasons/condition/concerns. :) BEST to you and all others in the 'aging' boat - ehugs, Katcha > > > > > > Hi! Trying on new things means coming out of lurkdom and > speaking. > > You I am 49 > > > and dealing with the normal hormonal issues of this age, as > well. > > > Ellen > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 > > Alana, the flip side of getting older, and the part > I have to admit I REALLY do enjoy, is coming to the > understanding that there are things you SHOULD do, > and there are things you MUST do, and the two lists > really are not the same. I find that getting older > has FREED me from so many of the shoulds in life, > and that things I used to get so hot and bothered > about I just toss aside mentally and emotionally. > It's like your FOCUS changes, and you come to under > stand that things you focused on as a younger person > aren't really all that important. This is the part > I really do like about getting older (I'll be 47 > this year). BRAVO Gym!! I so agree! > > I had my haircut this weekend and asked the lady, > jokingly, if she could only cut out the gray. She > said there'd be nothing left (thanks! There went > your tip!) LOL! She mentioned that there's always > hair coloring, but that's a road you can't really > come back from and frankly, as I sat there, I thought > I'm PROUD of my gray. I've earned each and every one > of them and I'm KEEPIN' 'EM! Why, as you said in > your post, are we so afraid of gray?! I have been lucky in that my hair color (blond) pretty much held up until I got well into my 50's. However as it did start to 'fade' into more 'salt' than 'honey' I didn't like looking at the faded, dull 'brassy' color that it was changing into. I had watched my mother fight the 'color' game with her hair - touching up roots was a big bother not to mention how coloring seemed to damage hair over time. I talked to a hair dresser with my concerns and she recommended that I try a SEMI-Permanent coloring product which basically just coats the hair with a clear color and which washes out over time. The catch is that you can only go darker, it won't lighten one's color (aka 'bleach'). I've been pleased with the results and its never a 'need' to re-color, more like I notice my hair is looking 'dull' again. Plus when my hair gets to a uniform and hopefully decent total gray, then I can just let it be what it is (without having to get a SHORT cut to not have layers of color showing). The bonus is that this color coating seems to make the hair feel smooth and softer while it lasts. Nice to 'calm' the course feeling that gray can make. Stay beautiful Gym!! ehugs, Katcha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 > > Alana, the flip side of getting older, and the part > I have to admit I REALLY do enjoy, is coming to the > understanding that there are things you SHOULD do, > and there are things you MUST do, and the two lists > really are not the same. I find that getting older > has FREED me from so many of the shoulds in life, > and that things I used to get so hot and bothered > about I just toss aside mentally and emotionally. > It's like your FOCUS changes, and you come to under > stand that things you focused on as a younger person > aren't really all that important. This is the part > I really do like about getting older (I'll be 47 > this year). BRAVO Gym!! I so agree! > > I had my haircut this weekend and asked the lady, > jokingly, if she could only cut out the gray. She > said there'd be nothing left (thanks! There went > your tip!) LOL! She mentioned that there's always > hair coloring, but that's a road you can't really > come back from and frankly, as I sat there, I thought > I'm PROUD of my gray. I've earned each and every one > of them and I'm KEEPIN' 'EM! Why, as you said in > your post, are we so afraid of gray?! I have been lucky in that my hair color (blond) pretty much held up until I got well into my 50's. However as it did start to 'fade' into more 'salt' than 'honey' I didn't like looking at the faded, dull 'brassy' color that it was changing into. I had watched my mother fight the 'color' game with her hair - touching up roots was a big bother not to mention how coloring seemed to damage hair over time. I talked to a hair dresser with my concerns and she recommended that I try a SEMI-Permanent coloring product which basically just coats the hair with a clear color and which washes out over time. The catch is that you can only go darker, it won't lighten one's color (aka 'bleach'). I've been pleased with the results and its never a 'need' to re-color, more like I notice my hair is looking 'dull' again. Plus when my hair gets to a uniform and hopefully decent total gray, then I can just let it be what it is (without having to get a SHORT cut to not have layers of color showing). The bonus is that this color coating seems to make the hair feel smooth and softer while it lasts. Nice to 'calm' the course feeling that gray can make. Stay beautiful Gym!! ehugs, Katcha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 I'm 30 yet I've got to deal with the grey hair already!! I found my first grey hair when I was 18. I've been using a semi-permanent too that washes out in about a month. I only dye it about 2 or 3 times a year though. I don't really think all that hair dye is good for a person. And generally the grey doesn't bother me but every now and then I'll really notice it and dye it. I've tried permanent but I hate getting roots. Like you said, the semi-permanent just sort of fades away. Both my parents are pretty much completely grey and have been since their 30's so it's not that surprising that I'm going grey. Katcha wrote: I talked to a hair dresser with my concerns and she recommended that Itry a SEMI-Permanent coloring product which basically just coats thehair with a clear color and which washes out over time. The catch isthat you can only go darker, it won't lighten one's color (aka'bleach'). I've been pleased with the results and its never a 'need'to re-color, more like I notice my hair is looking 'dull' again. . Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2008 Report Share Posted May 15, 2008 Yes, I have a fear of getting gray. I admit it. Why? Because my Mom started turning gray in high school and by the time she had me (37) she was completely salt and pepper. People thought she was my grandmother and I hated that as a kid. She looked so old and I guess I don't want to look old. She now at age 77 has beuatiful white hair. And, I like the color of my dark brown hair. It's so rich and I hate the thoguht of losing that. I have colored a couple times myself, but really don't like doing it. I've had my hair dresser color it and it was better than when I did it. And I've had my hair dresser highlight and I like the results of highlighting much better. I have actually done quite well with " bonding " with what gray hair I have. I just am not ready to turn gray. When I'm 60, that will be a different story. So for now, I will continue to work with my hair dresser for what works best for my hair. I do know some women look abosultely beautiful with gray hair. I just don't want to be gray. You asked, there you have it. Why, as you said in > your post, are we so afraid of gray?! I know there > are societies and cultures that value the elderly - > we ain't one of 'em. How sad. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 16, 2008 Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 I am turning 43 in July. At age 40, I stopped coloring my hair and it is all salt-n-pepper - ok mostly salt. I get so many compliments on my hair and women that confess they wish they could go gray, but they are not " brave enough " (their word, not mine). I guess I have been on a journey to accept myself as I am even before I got back to IE! > > > > > > Hi! Trying on new things means coming out of lurkdom and > speaking. > > You I am 49 > > > and dealing with the normal hormonal issues of this age, as > well. > > > Ellen > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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