You know that feeling when you still see yourself as the vibrant 21-year-old inside? I often find myself amazed that I’ve managed to play the part of a grown-up for so long. So, when a younger person makes a comment about my age, it hits a little harder than I’d like to admit. I can only imagine these moments will keep popping up, but here are four times I felt the sting of age-shaming from younger women.
1. The Thrift Store Incident
I usually donate my old clothes, but one day, I decided to try and make some extra cash instead. I had never stepped into the consignment shop near my favorite coffee spot, but I thought they’d love my gently worn pieces. I rolled in with a suitcase packed full of clothes, and the teen at the counter started sorting through them. While I browsed the racks, she came over to deliver the verdict: “Um, your clothes are like, too mature for us. We can’t take any of them.” I stood there in disbelief, “Really? There’s stuff from Anthropologie in there!” (You know, trying to sound hip.) She just shrugged and looked away. Ouch!
2. The Concert Dance-off
When Justin Timberlake came to town, my girlfriends and I were stoked. As the concert heated up, he covered Bell Biv DeVoe’s “Poison,” and I lost it—dancing like I was on stage! Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed two young women behind us filming. They exchanged laughs and rolled their eyes at me. I kept dancing, shaking my groove thing even harder to show them I could still keep up with the best of them.
3. Bar ID Surprise
Waiting at a crowded bar is one of my least favorite things to do. As I inched toward the front, I noticed the bartender checking IDs. I had mine ready, just in case. When my turn came, she didn’t even ask to see my ID. Confused, I pulled it out, only for her to wave it away with a laugh. “Don’t you need to see my ID?” I asked, feeling a bit embarrassed. The laughter around me didn’t help!
4. Shopping at Forever 21
You probably saw this coming. Sometimes, even those of us who tend to lean more toward Anthro just want something fun and trendy, right? I approached the counter with a cute outfit when the cashier asked, “Do you need a gift receipt?” “No, thanks,” I replied. She paused and said, “Oh, I thought this was for someone else. Is this for you?” At that moment, I think I blacked out from frustration! I imagined knocking over a display or two on my way out. But in reality, I just bought a Cinnabon and sulked in my car.
I can’t hold it against these younger gals for thinking I’m out of touch. I used to think the same about older women. One day, they’ll look in the mirror and realize that time has slipped by faster than they thought. They’ll dance at concerts while the teens giggle, and eventually, they’ll understand that, while age can sting, it doesn’t define us. And who knows, maybe they’ll find themselves jamming out with their own fabulous group of 39-year-old friends!
For more insights on this topic, check out this post on intracervical insemination. If you’re interested in your fertility journey, you can find excellent resources at IVF Babble and Make a Mom.
Summary
In the journey of adulthood, moments of age-shaming can pop up unexpectedly. From thrift store incidents to concerts where younger generations may side-eye your moves, it’s a reminder that age is just a number. Embrace your fabulous self, because no matter the age, we are all just trying to enjoy life!