Who's the stranger in the mirror?

no senior discount? - reality check
United States
January 26, 2008 12:12am CST
Some of you younger mylotters might not be able to relate to this. That's okay, your day will come, but that's not important right now. Usually I don't spend a lot of time looking in the mirror, but today I was trying on a scarf and looked in the small mirror I have at the dining room table. Up close and personal. I was in shock! I have jowels (sp?) -- yikes! And wrinkles I hadn't noticed. When did this transformation take place? The reason I put this topic under "Be happy" is -- there's not a bleeping thing I can do about it. As long as children don't run from me in fright, I'm fine. Reality might be sucky but hey, I get a senior discount at most of the places I patronize. As long as my charm and inner beauty holds out, I'm good for the long haul -- laughing all the way. Thanks for letting me share :)
5 people like this
18 responses
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Jan 08
Doing my Cousin It Impersonation - a photo of me
Hehe...So far I don't have anything sagging on my face...but what will startle me sometimes is how when I look in the mirror how tired I might look...the only way I can explain it...I think everyone has sort of an inner image of how they look...then zap you catch yourself in a mirror and it's like...ewwww... Okay here's my bit of fun...I do have a picture of what I look like on my page and it's from a year or so ago...but here's a silly one of me--kind of solves the problem of looking at one's face..no??
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Jan 08
The Real "Me" - image of myself
Me the blonde ..uh, nope...hehee. I love that video of Charley myself Here's a picture of me, taken about a year ago though
• United States
26 Jan 08
Pye, what an amazing page you have at mylot. I tried watching your movie video of you but got a message that it's no longer available. So, you're the beautiful blonde? You're pretty, pye. Cousin It, on the other hand, indescribable -- except "hair it is." I enjoyed seeing Charley -- quite a cat.
2 people like this
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
26 Jan 08
I try not to look at myself in the mirror because I do not like what I see. I noticed the other day that I found a gray hair too. i hate that. I know it is coming from all of the stress that I have in my life each day. I'm sure I will start to get wrinkly soon too. I am in my 30's and life is starting to take a major toll on me all of a sudden.
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
26 Jan 08
You got that right. I know we all have to grow old some day. I just don't wan it to happen right now, LOL.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Jan 08
No worries, steph, it's just life -- Ever heard that saying about making lemonade out of lemons? Maybe it's time for some lemonade. Thanks for your response.
2 people like this
@Grandmaof2 (7579)
• Canada
26 Jan 08
I hear you loud and clear girlfiend and I've only been around since 1950. I have it all including silver threads in my hair, but Oh well I'm a grandma and proud of it. The things that matter to me most is when my daughter and grandchildren wrap their little arms around me and say, "I love you Mom/Grandma," that's all I care about. I also get a senior discount on the days I need to rely on my cane but that's OK. I still have a better sense of humor than a lot of 30 year olds and the young people seem to love me too so I must be alright.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Jan 08
Thank you for sharing. High fives on the sense of humor -- and precious moments with your grandchildren.
1 person likes this
• India
26 Jan 08
I hardly find time to look into the mirror. :) When I finally do, I hardly bother about the reflection. I dunno if this is good or bad. But, well, we keep changing all the day and my focus in life is not top looks, it is being happy. I aim at living the rest of my days happily.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Jan 08
I don't look that often, either. Yesterday in the small mirror I was using, I couldn't help it! It was like a zoom lens. When I look in the bathroom mirror, I see a lot of other things, so it's easier to not focus on my face. Thanks for your response. I agree that being happy is the bottom line.
1 person likes this
@irishmist (3814)
• United States
26 Jan 08
i hear ya. I to look in the mirror everyday, and wonder why. Man I got to start doing my face exercises again. I found it really did help, as it gets the blood flowing again. I guess I have been lazy.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Jan 08
I forgot! I have an electric gizmo that's s'posed to vibrate the chin/neck area. Maybe it'll work on the jowels -- and losing weight will help. Thanks for your response.
1 person likes this
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
31 Jan 08
Joyce, people sometimes judge people by the way they look, by the clothes they were, or the kind of car they are driving. There are people who look so great by appearance simply because they were gifted with physical beauty and stunning statistics. But always remember that all things will fade and the shine in the light will soon lost its brightness when the oil burns out. For me, it doesn't really matter how a person looks but what he has done when his or her light was still shining. If that light has done so many things to brighten someones else life, or has guided someone in the darkness, then it really doesn't matter how he or she looks in the mirror. So don't worry if you are not familiar with the stranger in the mirror, I am sure that people will always know you by the light you have given them!
• United States
31 Jan 08
Thank you for the brightness your response brings to my day. I will hold your words to my heart and do my best to be a light.
@balasri (26537)
• India
27 Jan 08
I started to see the skin over my throat developing more wrinkles and got ready to sink.Your discussion is a savior.Thanks for the great discussion.Let us forget that and be happy.(What else to do?)lol
@balasri (26537)
• India
27 Jan 08
I am happy that you liked it.Will you be my friend?
• United States
27 Jan 08
I'm glad you got something positive out of it. I appreciate your response.
1 person likes this
@Ohara_1983 (4117)
• Kuwait
27 Jan 08
ha ha ha your so nutty, as long you feel good & healthy it we fine. no matter how old are you.
• United States
27 Jan 08
lol -- yep, i'm nutty. Thank you for your comment, hon. I'm 63.
• United States
26 Jan 08
I don't feel like I am too terribly vain, but these changes over the last 10 years bother me. Yes I see the beginnings of a little jowl puffiness. I have had to adapt how I were eye shadow because of changes in my eye lids. My lips are not as full as they once were. In a pretty dress I have to add Lycra support to hold a saggy rear in place. Lets not talk about what happened to the once ripe and firm girls up top! Grey in my hair yes indeed. So I fight back some, good moisturizer, a few exercises every week, and yes Mame I cover up that grey in my hair. I am a proud Grand mother myself. But I also want to feel and look like a woman. A mature woman mind you not one who is grieving her youth, but one that takes care of herself. If that is vanity then so be... I do miss my youth at times. And to be honest it bothers me. Not to a point I let it depress me. But it does.
• United States
26 Jan 08
Aww -- just keep smiling. That will keep 'em dazzled. Taking care of yourself isn't vanity. It's loving -- healthy for self-esteem. There's so much more in life than looks. I have to tell myself that and believe it.
@wolves69 (755)
• United States
26 Jan 08
Great attitude! I never really paid attention to the mirror and probably never will. The missus thinks the same way, so thats what the other is for....to say if something is out of place...lol
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Jan 08
Thank you for your response, wolves. Sounds like you and the missus have a great attitude also.
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
27 Jan 08
From the time I was a small child I was taught that wrinkles and grey hair were respected signs of wisdom and accomplishment and that one should look forward to aging gracefully. I think by looking at your photo that you certainly have. I think you look just lovely. As for aging, I feel pretty much the same as I did when the digits of my age were reversed, and see the same person in the mirror. I can't run quite as fast, but actually most of the time I feel better than I did as a young adult because my nutrition is better now. Usually I'm startled that I don't see more wrinkles, grey hairs, and other signs of aging, but how we see ourselves is pretty much a trick of the mind anyway, I think, so I don't do anything to try to cover the real me up, nor do I fear what tomorrow will bring. If children run from us in fright, shame on them, but I really don't think that is going to happen!
• United States
27 Jan 08
I agree with you that how we see ourselves is a trick of the mind (an attitude). Sounds like you're doing something positive to take care of yourself with better nutrition. thank you for sharing your thoughts. Children might run away in fright if we put on a grotesque halloween mask -- and I'm not going to go there lol.
@cosylvia (399)
• China
27 Jan 08
hello,always i like to look at mirror ,,notice if i have charm smile,and find out if have the difference on the face,for example, the new wrinkle ,or the big or small pore...wish you have a good day.
• United States
27 Jan 08
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, cosylvia. Have a good day, also *smile*
@kwenge (2487)
• Kenya
28 Jan 08
My story might sound funny to you but thats the way it is. I am 25 and I cannot stand looking at myself in the mirror and I never liked since I was young. I am too dark in complexion, my sister used to tell me that am ugly when i was young and I think thats what made me hate looking at the mirror. My fiancee tells me that am beautiful but i still dont have the guts to admire myself in the mirror. I can go for months without doing so.
• United States
28 Jan 08
Thank you for adding to this discussion. I think you need a healthy dose of self-esteem. i'm sorry you were hurt in the past about your looks. take care and know that you are beautiful in God's eyes and your fiance's eyes.
@CherishC (249)
• United States
26 Jan 08
I can relate to that. I look at myself and think why do I have to look like this? am I going to look like this for the rest of my life? and am I going to be fat and over weight like this for ever, why me, I'm only 16 years old. I have a lot of time left, but I need to make the best out of it. If people like you said start to runway from a ugly thing like myself then I need to do something about it! lol lets just hope I don't scare people away.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Jan 08
Cherish -- what a lovely name. Remember to cherish yourself, dear. You're not ugly and I can say that without seeing you in person. I truly believe that beauty is found in having a good attitude and sense of humor. That's easier said than done sometimes and I don't know your circumstances or background. Feeling ugly only promotes low self-esteem which is something you don't need. If you want to talk, add me to your friends and we can PM.
1 person likes this
@mjgarcia (725)
• United States
26 Jan 08
I've been feeling a lot like that lately also. I've realized that my hands are beginning to look old and no amount of hand lotion helps. My hair is more and more "scary" as my daughter puts it. (The gray is taking over quicker than I can color it.) Gravity has taken over and I'm not too fond of it. The funny thing is - inside I don't feel "old". I may be wiser than I was ten years ago, but I don't feel like I thought I would as I aged. Everything in its season, I guess.
• United States
26 Jan 08
Thank you for sharing. I know what you mean when you say that on the inside you don't feel old. 'Tis the season to be happy and grateful for the good stuff -- never mind the scary hair and other signs of inching our way up on the ruler of life.
1 person likes this
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
26 Jan 08
Kudos to you! I feel the very same way! I earned each one of these grey hairs and wrinkles. I feel honored that the good Lord let me live long enough to have them! I too, feel that beauty comes from within and I also live by the creed that one is as young as they feel. On the inside, I'm still in my 20's! I have been told by countless people that I don't look my age. I really do, but they are probably judging by how I act, rather than how I look!
• United States
26 Jan 08
Thank you for sharing. Amen to the good Lord letting us live this long. That means we're not done here.
@kabes_20 (192)
• Australia
26 Jan 08
I'm sure even with some rinkles you are still a beautiful person inside :)
• United States
26 Jan 08
*Smile* thank you.
@whittby (3072)
• United States
26 Jan 08
I was at the mall the other day and looked at myself passing by in one of those huge mirrored walls. That definitely wasn't the person walking by that I thought I was. That person was middle/older aged. I just hit the point in my life where I am totally interested in reinventing myself, exploring new interests, enjoying people. I was in a slump for awhile and am on the upswing thank goodensss. So if that is a stranger in the mirror, I'm looking forward to meeting her. Old age - phooey!
• United States
26 Jan 08
Your response just gave me a nice chuckle. I've had the same thing happen at a mall. Looking into new interests and enjoying people is an excellent plan, I believe. The outer package isn't all there is to us. Thank you so much for your response and friend request.