Embracing a pro-age mindset

It's been ten years since my Mum passed away. I still miss her, but I hold dear her memory and fantastic positive attitude toward life and ageing. She never complained about growing older and always encouraged me to make the best of myself. Mum had beautiful skin, and her only beauty regimen was to apply some Ponds cold cream after washing her face with Palmolive soap.

Her makeup consisted of a light dusting of face powder and lipstick - Mum would never go out without applying her lipstick. As a result, I've never been too concerned about milestone birthdays, such as turning 40, 50, or 60. Instead, I've taken her advice to heart:

"No face cream will stop you from getting wrinkles; you must embrace the changes and enjoy life!"

Mum's advice

My Mum came from a generation of women who emphasised the significance of one's natural beauty and the principle of "less is more." Oh, and always remove makeup before going to bed! 

Skincare

When I was young, I experimented with different skincare products and prioritised taking excellent care of my skin by regularly cleansing and moisturising. However, back in the early 1970s, there wasn't knowledge or information on how overexposure to the sun helps to cause premature ageing! So, in that regard, my younger sisters have the advantage over me and are likely to be better informed about the damage the sun can cause to your skin.

Sun protection

In the early 1970s, SPF creams were only on your shopping list if you were off on a Mediterranean holiday! Thankfully, today, there is more awareness of how to care for your skin when exposed to sunlight.

My 70-year-old face

As a fair-skinned freckle face, my skin occasionally suffers from dry patches and irritations caused by synthetic ingredients. Still, other than that, I've been fortunate not to have experienced acne or teenage spots. So, as I approached retirement, I decided (with more time on my hands) to launch a small cruelty-free and vegan skincare collection in 2020. This exciting venture and associated journal have given me a new sense of purpose.

Live Well Natural Skincare

Creating our small collection of organic-natural skincare products is a nod to my Mum's lessons about skin ageing. Our range is mainly organic and cruelty-free, and it does not contain all the nasty chemicals found in many manufactured skincare products. What's more, it's suitable for all skin types.

The Menopause

Turning 50 was a challenging time for me. I was dealing with menopause and reconciling the fact that I was now 'half a century old.' However, the valuable advice I received in my teens and early twenties has helped me embrace a pro-age mindset. This perspective allows me to appreciate and celebrate the changes in my skin that come with ageing. After all, focusing solely on looking younger and resisting the natural ageing process does a disservice to ourselves.

Embracing Pro-age mindset

Enjoying life and being in the moment has helped me value and celebrate the changes that come with age rather than trying to reverse or hide them. If you adopt an 'anti-age' attitude, you only focus on looking younger and fighting the natural ageing process.

Having just celebrated another milestone birthday, a positive attitude toward ageing and acceptance of lines, wrinkles, and grey hair empowers me to focus on enjoying life to the fullest. I've also changed my skincare routine by choosing gentle skin-kind natural and organic soaps and moisturisers.

I'm embracing ageing by paying attention to my inner voice and accepting these physical changes. Although I want to look my best, my skincare routine is still essential at age 70. Here are some tips to accept ageing as part of life:

Think Happy Thoughts

I admit I'm happier as an older person than I was in my teens and twenties. I've become more mindful of my thoughts and use various methods to keep my mind focused on the positives. Too many negative thoughts and worries regarding ageing do not benefit my skin.

Staying Active

Now that I've retired, it's the perfect time to embrace new hobbies and keep fit routines. I took up Yoga a couple of years ago, which helps me gain inner peace and satisfaction with my life. My mind and body benefit from staying active, so I recommend taking yoga classes or joining a walking group. These gentle activities can invigorate your spirit, allow you to meet many like-minded people, and increase your social circle.

Enjoying Life

Reaching 70, I can fully appreciate the benefits of new hobbies and activities. These new experiences bring excitement and purpose to my senior years. Last year, a good friend treated me to a stained glass workshop, which allowed me to use my artistic skills (which I had not used since my school days) and was utterly absorbing.

De-stress

There is nothing more ageing for the skin than too much stress. I unwind by listening to music, having coffee with friends, focusing on myself, and learning to say no more often. Techniques like mindfulness, meditation, and walking in nature also help me. A short, brisk daily walk gives my complexion a natural, healthy glow and helps loosen up my joints.

Life's journey

Last year, I suffered extreme pain and distress after I broke my wrist, and despite my best intentions, I also had a rough experience with COVID-19 while on holiday. The frustration of breaking my wrist meant I couldn't grow my business or do much. As a result, I decided to step back and focus on regaining my strength and health. The positives in incurring an injury have meant less time spent on social media and more time nurturing myself in other ways.

You can discover more pro-age articles on this site or visit the Live Well Natural Skincare blog at www.livewellnaturalskincare, which advises on natural and organic soap and beauty products.