How the Boomers Are Shattering Assumptions & What it Means for You and Me

We’re certainly not hooked on All My Children watching daily with cat on lap (no offense to cats everywhere).

Pearl One

If you’re us, it’s so easy to slip into negative thinking, “been there/done that. I lose twenty, and gain thirty. That’s how the story goes.”

But it’s not “how our story goes” in this century.

Look what I found!

Last week while I was paging through the Wall Street Journal, this headline grabbed me and I haven’t been the same since.

“They’re Cover Girls. They’re in Their 70s.”

“Sky-high demand for older models—women in their 60s, 70s, 80s and even 90s—is creating a silver wave in the modeling industry. They even get stopped at the supermarket.”

The photo beneath is Elon Musk’s mom (Maye Musk,75) wearing an elegant two-piece bathing suit in violet that joins its top to the bottom on one side. We’re talking snazzy.

The article goes on to feature:

• Frances Dunscombe, a 90-year-old who started modeling at age 82. 

• Helen Mirren, 77 (L’Oreal).

• Jane Fonda, 85 (L’Oréal).

• Joni Mitchell, 70 (Saint Laurent).

• Isabella Rossellini, 70 (Lancôme).

• And the aforementioned Maye Musk (Cover Girl and COVER of 2022’s Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue).

Why Does This Matter to Us?

I’m not suggesting that we become models, but I am saying that when luxury brands are seeking out women over 70 and 80 for modeling-work, paradigm shifts are afoot.

The “little old ladies” from our childhood are from another era.

Today we’re in the midst of normalizing that women over fifty shedding unwanted layers is a real thing.

Still, we know it’s hard work to lose and maintain for a lifetime.

We’re up for the challenge.

Let’s go. ♥

Pearl Two

The “Messy Middle,” how do you handle yours? I’ll go first. I’m currently managing mine badly because I’m bringing very little conscious thought to the middle of a wonderful project I badly want to see brought to life.

But, if I listen closely, I can hear myself getting critical and “bored” with the entire project. I’m great at the honeymoon, but terrible at the “messy middle.” Getting bored and feeling like “nothing ever works” are both ways that I disconnect.

I’m determined that things will be different this time around. This time I’m using the quote from an old Chinese proverb as my North Star, “The temptation to quit will be greatest just before you are about to succeed.”

I’m also meta-watching myself as I descend from the honeymoon to the messy middle. In other words, I’m not just allowing the messy middle “happen to me.” I’m noticing how I’ve given up in the past, and I’m watching what I’m thinking as I circle the drain today.

To date, I notice that I call what I want “stupid.” I say things to myself like, “this will never work.” “I’m tired of this project; it’s boring and way harder than I thought it would be; I’m ready to throw in the towel.”

I’m just a little ball of sunshine.

So, how to cheerlead myself out of ruining my project via the messy middle? I have no clue, but I do know that the solution begins with meta-watching exactly how I handle the messy middle in the first place.

How does the messy middle impact your life? ♥

Pearl Three

From today forward, I’ll keep Pearl 3 for something fun that I want to share

I saw this fun fact-headline recently:

McDonald’s brings back beloved dessert, Strawberry & Crème Pie, for a limited time

So, here’s where my brain goes when I see this bit of marketing:

Brand: the company has cache to its name – like Disney or Coke – and is happy to lead with it (whereas when I see the name, my hackles go up).

Strawberry: a lovely word that evokes spring or early summer (they must be so happy that we’re not into rutabagas).

Crème: this word is so cool that we add it for the Parisian-flair alone.

Beloved marketing words: the item has returned!!!

Limited time only: Dear, get a move-on or you’ll miss out!!

Nutrition Summary (from McDonalds):

280 calories

• 15 grams total fat (19 % of the pie so almost 1/5 of the treat).

• 34 grams carbs (12 % of the pie).

• 3 grams protein (well that’s something).

What’s not included:

25 grams of sugar (about 1/4 or more of the pie is sugar).

Bottom line: I never eat at fast-not-food outlets. It’s a habit that my mom instilled in me years ago and, while at my heaviest I often grabbed junk food in the drive-thru, I stopped the bad habit when I was losing the fifty-five pounds. Today eschewing fast-not-food completely is one way that I preserve my loss.

I always kept/keep my cold-tote with me filled with an ice pack, and — in the summer — real strawberries. ♥

Pearl Four

Again, these aren’t book reviews, I’m only highlighting books that I truly loved reading. Keep in mind, these books have to compete with peanut M&Ms.

This book is to be read when you’re not feeling so great. It’s like hot chocolate on a cold day. The book begins with a man’s loss of his beloved wife. He waits one year, and as he’s cleaning out her life stumbles onto a part of his wife that he’d never known about.

We watch as a depressed, “life-is-over-for-me” man goes on a hero’s journey returning refreshed and ready to live a more engaged life with his children.

Darling story.

The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick. A snuggle-read. ♥

Pearl Five

We’re still living with the paradigm of age as an arch. That’s the old metaphor. You’re born, you peak at midlife, and decline into decrepitude.” ♥

Jane Fonda

If you’ve enjoyed this post, then you might really like The Inspired Eater: Fed Up! that goes into nitty-gritty about how I lost the weight and now preserve my loss.

This weekend, I’m starting a new book that hopefully will turn into a great book dessert recommendation for next Friday!

♥ Wendy

P.S. Are you new to the Inspired Eater? Welcome!! This blog won’t make much sense until you first read the Aunt Bea post (and you’ll find Aunt Bea on this page to the right under my short bio). On your cell you’ll see it immediately following the first post. After you enter your email address, the Aunt Bea article will be sent to your email’s inbox. If it’s not there, you might check the spam folder. And always feel free to email me at Wendy@TheInspiredEater.com and I’ll get Aunt Bea right to you!

You know the scoop: I’m an Amazon affiliate. If you buy from a link in my post, I’ll receive money, but the arrangement won’t cost you a dime.

I am not an expert, a doctor, a surgeon, a nurse or a nutritionist: the information within TheInspiredEater.com is based solely on my personal experience and is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ♥