Why does a photo of an older woman daring to feel sexy so unsettling to all these same-aged dudes?
When I did photos like these as a teen, I sometimes got shamed by women, but never the men. This is a most interesting social experience. The only thing that’s changed is my age.
A thoughtful reader comment on IG need an equally thoughtful response.
Thank you for feeling my pain, rickaroo777. As you can see, I’m suffering indeed.
Todays thread has been my absolute favorite of all time. Thank you all you “old and ugly” women (and a few men) showing the world how much we “suffer” at in our old age. You’re all breathtaking!
As a young model exposing my body, it was because of someone else’s approval and celebration of it.
I didn’t know enough to have an understanding of consequences. Hence, objectification.
Now, when I expose my body, it it with my full knowledge and consent.
Hence, celebration.
For those of you who believe I’m posting this for your validation, how about you refrain from commenting and see how THAT makes me feel? 😜not feeling at all
#oldandugly
One last
#bikini
shot from CR, to show my suffering at being
#oldandugly
at the advanced age of 57.
My fifties has been the most painful, educational, joyful, beautiful, heartbreaking and formative decade of my life. I’m grateful for every minute.
Growing up under communism and under the thumb of the Soviet occupation, I’m well aware of the privilege that is democratic voting .
I have voted in every election since I became an American Citizen.
We do have a say in how our country is run, don’t waste yours!
#voting
#vote
When a young model posts her photos - she’s doing her job. When an older model does - she’s “desperate, thirsty and needs validation”. Care to clue me in?
(Since this is Twitter - I know you will😁)
Athletes vs models.
Both start young - end young
Make a lot of money
Used physically for entertainment and to sell products.
When aged out of their careers, if they cling on - one gets applauded as heroic, and the other shamed as pathetic.
One is mostly male - one mostly female
When you’re deemed “beautiful” , your shell is celebrated.
That sort of beauty is like a sequined dress. It instantly draws attention.
Real beauty is a dress made of quality fabric and careful stitching, and it will last forever.
#innerbeauty
This photo was used by a cosmetic surgeon on Instagram to show what I “should have done to my face”- Botox, fillers, lasers, where and why.
And I thought I looked good!😂
Is an older woman displaying her body seen as false advertising ? We no longer can breed - we should no longer be seductive?
If so, we women accept that female bodies are in existence to only please men and carry their seed.
Our pleasure and desires are irrelevant.
I was trying to walk out of the water all swinging hips and sexy, but was undercut by the currents, waves and dips in the sand. Oh, and my hip arthritis. 😂
Yes, I’m baring it all. No filters.
This collection of essays contains things I want to share, things I have thought about, things that hold me back, and things that propel me forward. It is all of me.
#nofilter
#nofilterthegoodthebadandthebeautiful
Some rando troll just criticized my neck while I’m trying to raise awareness for
#ovariancancer
. For the record, I love my neck. It’s holding up my best asset. And it’s a reminder that negative comments on social come from sad people who fart in the wind- hoping to get attention
No secret that I’m a nerd and a bibliophile. I’ve read every book written by
@neilhimself
,
@david_mitchell
and
@nealstephenson
I immediately binged on
@Netflix_Sandman
and regretted not spacing it out. So I made my whole family watch it too and love it even more the 2nd go
This was one of my husband’s favorite songs- because it reminded him of me - he said.
Two years ago on this day- I thought I would die. I lost everything I knew. I lost me. Today, my blue eyes may not change and turn brown- but everything else about me sure has changed.
“You’re still beautiful”.
Meant as a compliment, but achieves the opposite. With the word “still” attached, the compliment carries incredulity- “you shouldn’t be but ‘still’ are.” I believe age is coming into ones true beauty and character, and should be celebrated, not erased.
I thank you for the compliments- but! I’m afraid my post about the plastic surgeon’s suggestions completely missed my point. It had nothing to do with what I think I look like, and everything to do with the perversity of people who suggest that an older woman’s face is “wrong”
When I complain about the difficulties of dating in middle age- it’s because last time I was dating I was a teenager- and had no expectations. Not because there aren’t enough men for me to date.😁
This is when I first fell in love. That tiny hint of a smile. That got to me.
Little did I know when I first saw this video that I’d spend over 30 years living for that smile. I still miss him everyday.
#ricocasek
#trueloveneverdies
This post, under which I spoke of my childhood and indoctrination by the Soviets without a single vulgarity, was taken down by
@instagram
for being offensive. Ok, so maybe I did hashtag how I felt about Putin…
Once again, I want to thank every single one of you for joining the
#oldandugly
, proving there is no such thing. Only vibrant gorgeous people living and appreciating their lives with more joy than ever.
Craig Morgan hand-whittled me this little artifact in the jungle of Panama as a goodbye present, and every time I hold it, it’s like a hug from a friend.
I’ve been obsessed with owning a Vespa since I saw
#romanholiday
as a teen. I’ve been riding this one for twenty years now. And of course, always with a helmet- except when I’m showing off for a camera at a stand-still.
Let me show you around Old Town Prague square. The astrological clock is the first of it kind, built in 1410! And the Church is Tyn, also built in the 14th century. There is an old legend about the clock and it’s maker- suitably creepy and very Czech.😁
And this is what it looks like when your connection has also been delayed- you run through fifty corridors - board a shuttle as the door closes on your heels, run another fifty hallways- and actually make you flight. Out of breath, sweaty, and delighted!
My book chosen as one of the best books to read in November by
@TIME
! Along with personal heroes like Michelle Obama, a Haruki Murakami and Patti Smith.
My best impression of my favorite Parisian Lady. She sparkles at night and sets the tone during the day- and she ain’t no spring chicken either. Are we both
#oldandugly
?😂
Over 100 degrees, dressed in woolen sweaters, coats and pantyhose, no air conditioning- trying to look like I’m having a wonderful time. A model’s life- but unlike in my youth - these days I’m grateful for every minute. The difference between youth and beauty and
#oldandugly
When a company makes the decision to actually use a woman of middle age as the spokesperson, and not just a token “old lady” - and whether it’s me or one of my peers, I rejoice. Thank you
@KarenMillen
for highlighting and celebrating women of mature beauty with THE ICONS.
With only one evening in London to spare, I decided to spend it watching my favorite book come to life -
@neilhimself
‘s - “The Ocean at the End of the Lane”. It was magical. Standing ovation. And both I and the girls next to me whom I just met - cried at the end.
Have you ever heard the term “Jolie laide ?” French for “pretty and ugly.” A woman who is unconventionally attractive. She wear her “flaws” with confidence, that’s what makes her attractive. I was envious of this confidence until recently. I acquired it through age.
Daring to love is the most courageous act one can ever make. Each time you dare to love is taking a road untraveled.
My son Jonathan and Erin have chosen their path, bringing us along, making us their accomplices and witnesses along the way,
with love, for love, because of love
VP Mike Pence: "Sen. Kamala Harris said she would change the dietary guidelines of this country to reduce the amount of red meat that Americans can eat."
Crowd boos.
VP: "Well I've got some red meat for you: We're not going to let Joe Biden & Kamala Harris cut America's meat!"
For the record- it’s not the 8$. It took me a year to get verified here on Twitter. I took that to mean that a blue check means you’re the person you claim you are. Not that you have 8$.
My girlfriend said about this photo
“I’ve never seen you look like this. In love - with total abandon”.
Maybe because we talked for hours and weeks before we met.
Maybe because we shared our vulnerabilities immediately.
Maybe because he listens to me Iike no man ever has.
#love
Today, 54 years ago, the Soviets marched into my country and changed my life and those of all my fellow countrymen forever. And not for the better.
#standwithukraine
Women have been objectified by men forever. When we decide to turn the tables by objectifying ourselves- it’s other women who have issues with it. But nothing is gained by tossing your sisters overboard. It just makes for less rowing power in a race that wasn’t set up by us.
Flying these days sure isn’t what it used to be. Plane delayed, so missing my connection - which means I’ll be staying in a foreign city in an airport hotel tonight if I’m lucky. Oh, yeah,
@swissairlines
- not exactly as timely as their watches.
Just a normal Saturday night, dressed in my best
@rag_bone
. Ok, so I’m lying - normal Saturday night is take out and bingeing The Boys while knitting…
Midlife dating is a breakfast buffet. Starts at 7am, middle aged men are let in at 9 and women at 10:55 -
The eggs are soggy and the sausages limp. The croissants are gone. BUT. The good-for-you items , the bran muffins, are still there. We can find them!
Giving the young prince Lobkowitz a modeling lesson to thank him for the amazing tour of their Palace.
“Look down at your feet, and then find the camera with your eyes, pretending it’s your favorite person in the world.” He got it on first try.