As we age, our bodies undergo natural changes. In fact, change is an immutable law of nature. With something so integral and natural to our life as change, why do so many women have difficulty loving their body as they age?
And where do our inner and outer challenges with age and more specifically, the idea of what constitutes physical beauty after 60, come from?
In the fifth of an eight-part article and video series on “Being Enough After 60”, we will answer these questions as we explore 10 steps to embrace changes to your body.
6 Common Challenges to Loving Your Body
When you look at how society perpetuates outdated and limiting standards on what constitutes beauty is it any wonder why so many women feel pressure to maintain an unrealistic youthful appearance as they age?
For years, millions of women have based their sense of self-worth on how others physically perceive them. Of course, there is nothing wrong with taking time to look and feel your best. The mounting stress of not feeling beautiful enough, however, takes an emotional toll on your well-being.
Facing challenges to our physical appearance after 60 shows up differently for each of us. Being aware of where and why you may unknowingly be dismissing your natural, physical beauty is essential in overcoming unhealthy and unfulfilling beliefs.
Here, then, are six common reasons women over 60 find it challenging to love their bodies:
- Outdated societal expectations for women.
- Aging-related beliefs that are limiting.
- Negative inner talk of one’s self-worth.
- The pressures of being accepted and loved in relationships.
- Unrealistic comparisons to one’s younger physical appearance.
- Media representation through false and disparaging storylines.
These aforementioned challenges can manifest in conversations, interactions, and personal reflections. They are also exacerbated by the volume of physical and age-related shaming that takes place in the online world.
All of this makes it more important than ever for women over 60 to actively address and manage these feelings from a place of honesty and vulnerability.
10 Steps to Embrace Body Changes
Here are 10 empowering steps each of us can take to embrace the beautiful woman we are today and actively boost our self-confidence from within:
- Practice Self-Love: Love yourself as you would desire another to love you.
- Cultivate Self-Compassion: Practice self-compassion by treating yourself with the same kindness you would offer a friend.
- Focus on Health & Well-Being: Prioritize healthy habits like staying active, eating nourishing foods, and getting enough sleep.
- Reframe Beauty Standards: Challenge societal beauty norms and redefine physical beauty on your own terms.
- Celebrate Your Journey: Embrace the wisdom and experiences that come with age as a source of pride and gratitude.
- Update Your Wardrobe: Choose clothing that makes you feel confident and comfortable in your current body.
- Positive Affirmations: Practice daily positive affirmations that focus on self-acceptance and self-love.
- Seek Supportive Relationships: Surround yourself with friends, family, and individuals who appreciate you for who you are.
- Engage in Activities You Love: Participate in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. When you do what you love and love what you do, you are naturally boosting your overall confidence and building on your self-esteem.
- Practice Gratitude Journaling: Create a daily practice of journaling about your body that expresses your genuine gratitude for it and how it serves your life.
Overcoming Boddy Issues with Self-Love
Few of us have were taught early on how to navigate changes in our life through self-love and increased self-esteem. This is particularly true for how we face the ever-changing nature of our physical body.
It’s crucial to remember that everyone’s experience with their body is unique, and some women may not feel these challenges as intensely as others. Wherever you may feel you are with embracing changes to your body, overcoming the challenges of body issues involves cultivating:
- Self-love
- Self-acceptance
- Self-compassion
- Challenging societal norms
- Prioritizing self-esteem and self-worth over external appearance
It is also helpful to involve support from loving and supportive family, friends, communities, therapists, and mentors who understand and appreciate the value of physical beauty as we age.
Embracing changes in your physical appearance is a life-long journey of self-acceptance and self-love. By expanding your awareness of where you may feel challenged, applying these ten steps and engaging in your own unique approaches to loving your body after 60, you can navigate change with grace, resilience, and love.
I invite you to join me in the video where I share a bonus tip about loving your body along with three journal prompts and 10 affirmations to help you integrate what you are learning.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Do you find it difficult to love your body? Are there particular reasons you feel that way? What challenges are you working to overcome so you can love your aging body?
