Renee Charles
  • Renee's Books
    • Only Love Survives
    • Sacrifice of a Virgin
    • Changes In Autumn
  • Blog
  • About Renee
    • Renee Around the Web
  • Events

How Old Is TOO Old for PigTails?

11/18/2015

8 Comments

 

How Old Is too Old for Pigtails? No, I will not go gentle into the night, Rage, rage aginst the dying of the Light.

It's casual Sat at the office. No clients. No business associates, other than the norm office crew. Everyone dressed down with their sleeves rolled up to dig in and get some work done. Me? I walk in sporting my pigtails, ready to get busy. Co-worker next to me comments that no one over ten should be caught dead wearing pigtails. Pppffffssstttt. That's the sound of the air being sucked outta my joy balloon.

So I lifted my chin and refrained from smarting back, because that dear friends, is how I roll...most of the time. It got me to wondering, is my ripe old age of 45 too old for pigtails? Joy? Playfulness? At what age am I supposed to chop off all my locks and get a tight, short Grandma perm and start bitching about young people these days? Dear Lord, just shoot me...seriously, please...I'm begging you. 

A little history here might be helpful. At about 35, my kids had gotten older and needed me less, I suffered a loss of identity and started to give into the pull, dressing the way I thought was appropriate for my new stage in life. The way my older peers said I should. And little by little I forgot who I was. Hell, I even went so far as to start wearing hand me downs from my MIL. Don't laugh. It happened. Why? Because I was giving in. Insecurities crept into my soul and Boom! I lost the sparkle in my eye. People noticed. My husband and kids noticed. I noticed. Then the worst possible thing happened. At about the age 40, I began to hate myself.  

I had to do something drastic! Something absurd, something for just me. I bought a hair flower. Simple, small, beautiful. I bought it because I wanted it. I bought it because I shouldn't. I bought it because it spoke to me. It said 'I am who you used to be'. And I wore it. It didn't match. It didn't have to. It was a new beginning. The road back to loving myself as I did back when I was vivacious and 'young'.  

So back to my pigtails. I rocked them with my chin in the air and a smile on my face, knowing that I had something that co-worker didn't understand. She didn't have to. That's kinda the point. Doing what brings you joy is the only way to live your life. You will never be deserving enough, or as young as you once were, or whatever it is that runs through your head when you tell yourself no. That's why you have to love yourself enough to say yes anyhow. That right there, my friends, is the fountain of youth. 
  
​I quoted Dylan Thomas's poem because truer words were never spoken on the topic of not so much aging, but of the loss of passion in your life. Many people think Dylan Thomas was writing about his father dying, but scholars say he was actually speaking about his father's impending blindness as wordsmith, Mira Zaslove explains...

"Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night is, therefore not just about fighting against the blindness of the old man or Thomas's own battles, but about all of us raging against our weaknesses, and the gradual loss of our fire, passions, and life."

An article circulated around this time last year that caused a stir, '24 Things Women Should Stop Wearing After Age 30', which I refuse to link because much like my co-worker, its only intention was to suck the joy from others without purpose or reason. (You can google it if you need to, but I wouldn't bother.) What came of it was amazing... an outcry of woman over 30 celebrating life, rather than hiding from it. My favorite response being this one from social media maven, Kristen Lamb. Behold, her Pinterest page dedicated to older women dressing and behaving badly.

So, what to take away from this blog post/rant? Celebrate your life, style and tastes. Don't hide from them because of age, weight or career path. Don't let others dictate who you should be. You are unique, and embracing that will banish the shadows from your day. Much love!
Picture
Me nervously rockin' my pigtails before my very first paintball game this summer, scandalous age of 45.5!
8 Comments
Shyla
11/19/2015 12:17:54 am

I am a 47 years young woman. I have worn pig tails from age 30 til now. I even put them in braids and let them swing and bounce around. Yes, I get looks and smart ass comments, but like Renee says, its your joy and NEVER stop being such happy women. I have also struggles throughout my life for several reasons, I grew up being the fat kid from age 10 and of course now I'm an adult. It was in the 80's where Everyone had to be thin thin thin. I never fit in and was teased or just ignored. It was very hard during the high school years.
When my early 20's came around I knew I was over and just rocked myself out and had a great time until I hit 25 and found out I had a skin disease that was just horrendous. Is/was not a pleasant thing to find out that I could no longer have sex and even think of myself as beautiful little alone pretty.
After years of feeling gross and ugly I found a wonderful man, at age 41, that accepted me all the way around and helped me to turn my attitude around also. He helped me to realize that the skin disease did not run my life and I was beautiful just the way I was. Now, I KNOW I am beautiful and I can rock it just like before, just a little slower!!! LOL!!! I thank Renee and others for bringing positive things to the front about being bigger, curvier or whatever you want to call it!!! Thank you Renee!!!

Reply
Renee Charles link
11/19/2015 05:46:12 am

Shyla, your comment made me smile. I am so happy you have love in your life now. And I am not just talking about the love you found with that brilliant man. But the love you found for yourself too! Woo hoo! Hugs!

Reply
Kristen Lamb
11/19/2015 05:20:58 am

Okay, I HAVE IT! PIGTAIL PLATFORM! LOL I love it! *rubs hands* I feel a blog post coming on…. I have to link back to this. This is fantastic!

Reply
Renee Charles link
11/19/2015 05:48:25 am

Thank you!
LOL I do believe I've discovered the fountain of youth...just wear pigtails!

Reply
Stephanie link
11/20/2015 04:04:07 am

I aam 55 and wear my hair that way sometimes and I think it works well for me. I also find it makes sleeping, driving and working out easier than it is with a pony tail.

I also recall when it was considered bad form for a married woman to have long hair that was not worn up and when my school did not allow female students to wear pants.

People should get over their own stuff.

Reply
Renee Charles link
11/21/2015 10:14:16 am

HI Stephanie, I agree!

Reply
Kit Dunsmore link
11/20/2015 05:49:57 pm

I'm 50 and have long hair even though some people (mostly older) have told me it's time to cut it short. Pbbbbbt! to that. I love having long hair, and I intend to wear it however I feel like wearing it and everyone else will just have to suck it up. Thanks for making the great argument that our joys outweigh sober coventions every single time.

Reply
Renee Charles link
11/21/2015 10:19:59 am

Kit, thank you for leaving a comment!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    ROMANCE
    & other
    HOT Topics

    Picture

    Blog Categories:

    All
    Book News
    Favorite Things (Fab 5 List)
    Flash Fiction
    Halloween & Horror
    Married Things
    Monthly Book Wrap Up
    On Writing
    Renee's World
    Sexy Is As Sexy Does


    Never miss a post!
    Get Renee's latest blog
    posts sent directly to
    ​ your email...
    Subscribe Here

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.