“I’m over 60 years old and I hear that I should cover myself. I’ve never heard more nonsense.”

I am a little over 60 years old, but I navigate the Internet well, I often comment and speak out. Why shouldn’t I do this? Recently, when I opened Facebook, I was flooded with materials about what an older woman should and should not do. I’ll tell you right away, I’m not the kind of person who tells others how to live. I believe that everyone has the right to live how they want, dress how they want and so on, express their opinion. And it also annoys me when I read some comments that at this age you can only be a grandmother taking care of your grandchildren.

I’m not going to be that senior. I mean, yes, I love my only granddaughter – I will always be happy to take care of her, but I also have my own life. I love traveling and I am slowly realizing these dreams. That’s why it’s not up to me to judge what someone does. Recently, however, my attention has been drawn to the issue of how women my age should dress so that they are not ashamed to wear bikinis, etc. I fully support this. I really think that there is only criticism coming from everywhere towards us, older ladies: that we are “too old” for a bikini, maybe even better for a swimsuit?! I’ve never heard more nonsense. I know I shouldn’t pay attention to such things, because it’s only comments about people’s cases. But I can’t help it, I read them because I feel bombarded by them.

“So what? Should I put on woolen slippers and crochet all evening?”

For example, what did I read? That “a woman of this age should cover certain parts of her body, e.g. arms, thighs, belly”, or that “at this age I should calm down and age with dignity”, whatever that means. This is the text of my friend who only goes to church every Sunday, and that’s it for her activity. I also heard that a woman my age “shouldn’t reveal herself so much”, that “at this age you have to be serious” and behave “appropriately for your age”.

So what? Should I put on woolen slippers and a sweater and crochet all evening? This is ridiculous. And sad at the same time, because as a society we have not come to terms with the fact that age does not matter and should not limit us in any way. From my experience, it is mainly women who are attacked in this way. And I think just the opposite: we should completely stop stigmatizing the aging body. It is very important that we also set a good example for our daughters and granddaughters: that they do not have to give in to social pressure.

Finally, please don’t get me wrong – let everyone wear what they want. If someone has completely different views and values, I won’t suddenly make them appear on the beach in a bright pink, low-cut bikini. There is no point in fighting the passage of time, but I really recommend just accepting it and enjoying yourself, enjoying life – regardless of how old we are!

Danuta.

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