My 40 Year Old Body

@reallyoverallofit I wish society didn't train my sad brain into thinking anything over 40 ain't cute anymore. I'd like to unlearn it but I know better than that.

Society makes the suggestion. You don’t have to accept it. People unlearn all kinds of things. 

@reallyoverallofit it might be hard, but I say just sign up for classes and commit to showing up! I saw on *** last week an adult ballet recitals with dancers of all ages and sizes. And I saw a group of women who created an all women summer camp no matter what age you are. There were 70 year olds playing duck duck goose and having a dance rave in a cabin! PTSD is hard but your life is valuable too, with or without it! 

@realmenteoverallofit

Hola, entiendo eso que sentías viendo los vídeos de niñas haciendo ballet. Me es familiar eso que describes. Soy gimnasta profesional desde los 24 años, ya era la más mayor( aunque yo me sentía vieja) del grupo al llegar ajjajajajajaja... Me sentí así cómo describes mucho tiempo eh.. a demás cumplí muchos veintis pidiendo de deseo un año más de srtist pq ( según yo)  ya estaba mayor 🤷

Ahora tengo 38 y sigo actuando, sin darme ni cuenta estos 3 años he aprendido bastante de baile, acrobacias, contorsión, trapecio, aro aéreo tb, duo de fuerza, fuego, luz, hasta escupo fuego y todo. 

Con todo esto quiero mostrarte que la edad no es determinante y que si sentimos ganas de aprender algo lo hagamos y si nos da miedo, pues lo hacemos con miedo. Eso es lo que me dijo en esos momentos de pánico.  Espero que te aporte una perspectiva buena y nueva. Un abrazo y suerte. 

Nia la 

@reallyoverallofit

It’s understandable to feel disheartened when coming to terms with changes in how you see yourself over time. It’s great to hear that you still stay active with exercise, and it’s interesting that ballet has resurfaced in your life through the algorithm. It’s normal to have mixed feelings about revisiting something from the past, especially when it feels like a part of you has changed.

Let me just ask you this: Why should others' opinions matter so much? If you’re taking care of yourself and feel good, what’s stopping you from embracing the vibrant youth you want to be? Surround yourself with people who appreciate and support your desire to stay youthful. Life is too short not to enjoy it, so be free and pursue what makes you happy, regardless of societal expectations. Whether or not you pursue ballet, finding joy and fulfillment on your own terms is what truly matters.

It's normal to feel this way. I am close to approaching 40, and I am finally accepting my body for what it is. I understand that I am never going to be the size I was in my teens and twenties, and that's ok. I have had children, and the pregnancies combined with having an office job have caused me to gain weight. I have learned to love my curves. It is hard, especially since beauty standards are pushed to us as women from a young age.

I am 45, and mind still works like I am in 20s or something. I can't co relate with my ege. Even with the wife and children. My mind don't want to take note that I am old.

I feel very silly, that's exactly why I entered today, because I'm thinking exactly about these things in this period, about society that stops considering you, helping you, or recognizing the fragilities and needs you may have as an adult, but I feel silly now because I'm 23 years old... But reading you I felt understood, you gave me hope, because there are mature adults who believe in youth of soul like you (sorry, I know that maybe I seem stupid to you) maybe it can help, I don't know, but I always look with admiration at people like you, people who have understood that graying in the soul is not a norm of nature, but of society,who exercise, want to learn to dance, have the mind of a young adult, and try to remember that in life you can do what you want, regardless of numbers, wish you all love and well

Your soul can be youthful even if your body is not. You are your soul. Your body is a flesh container in which your soul resides.

Your soul craves dance... you can dance, you can jive, at forty.

I also wish society didn't train people's brains with unrealistic beauty standards.

Crow's feet are beautiful. Gray hair. Wrinkles. A life lived. Years gone through. Pains, joys, highs, lows... in some cultures, gray hair and age are treated with reverence. The one I came from certainly did... a white head is a crown of glory if found in the way of righteousness...

I have a friend who is in her fifties, and another in her forties, and both sometimes struggle with the effects of aging on their bodies... and they're both beautiful. Body and soul.

I bet you are, too.

I think you should dance. Isn’t part of getting older supposed to be embracing the things we love? Sometimes, I feel like people our age need to look at the older generations on this sort of thing. (Myself included.)

When I was a kid, I remember my grandparents saying things like, “I am too old to care.” Isn’t that supposed to be one of the things we earn with age? For example, when you graduate school, there is a freedom and relief from being removed from certain social dynamics, and with each additional change in life isn’t there supposed to be more relief? Heck, I was told my great grandmother had purple hair and wore fuchsia mumus!

I suppose there is the reality too, and being on Broadway is hard for anyone of any age. Is that your goal with dancing, though? If it is, you could probably still go for it. It may just take some work, but it would take work for anybody. One of the things I actually really like about this younger generation is they seem to embrace different body types more so than when I was growing up. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Hi! Sorry to hear that you're struggling with starting something once again. It's very important to know that what you love matters the most. People will always have something to say and we can't stop them. We often get caught up in different things while growing up but it's totally alright to start doing what you like when you have the time and energy. ❤️

Your body is perfect the way it is. It only shows how many years you've survived in this cruel world. Kudos to you! 🌱🌈

No one can stop you if you want to bring a change. You're an inspiration for all those who give up on their dreams and never think about learning anything ever again. You still have that willingness to keep growing and I want you to see your own strength. Focus on that instead of something your brain is convincing you as your weakness. It's not your weakness. Our thoughts are not always right.🌻

Talking about other people. You know these are the people who have themselves stop growing. And so, they want everyone else to do the same. Listen to your own heart, not them. It will show you the right path.

And I believe in you! If you start doing it, give us an update. Okiee?🍃🌿

Take care of yourself. You matter and you're beautiful just the way you are. We have a universe within ourselves and that's far greater than what we see outside. So vast that we haven't figured out everything about ourselves. Discover yourself. Everything will be okay! 🦋