When I turned 30, I noticed a few things about myself that weren’t there before.

A stubborn streak of greys has made its home, the smile lines seemed a little deeper during video calls, and those tiny eye wrinkles were starting to spread into my cheeks when I laughed. Physical signs that were part of learning how to handle aging.

On one hand, my higher self embraced this – it’s part of my journey, a natural evolution. But let’s be honest, my more grounded self feels the pressure. Beauty standards are everywhere, and they’re not just high – they’re relentless, pricey, and often targeted at younger faces. And no matter how much we tell ourselves we value other things, who doesn’t like being complimented on looking youthful?

So, how does one come to terms with it?

Was or is there a specific moment that helps one shift their mindset? Or did one find themselves caught in a spiral of beauty treatments, only to eventually pull away from them? Do these treatments help one accept the changes, or are they just a way to delay the inevitable?

I’ve done a lot of reading and asking these questions to hear how others currently navigate this or have done so already, because I think it’s something we all will grapple with as we age.

The biggest epiphany is realizing that aging is truly a privilege, and it’s something not everyone is fortunate enough to experience. At 30, I had already outlived some dear friends and family, which put life into perspective.

Knowing this, you’ll realize that growing older is a gift – one that allows us to see more of the world, gain wisdom through new experiences, and live life in ways we couldn’t when we were younger. Yes, it shows on our faces and in our bodies, but that’s the beauty of it – every wrinkle, every mark, tells a story.

No, aging isn’t always easy or convenient. But, honestly, when has anything truly valuable ever come without challenges? Embracing the journey of growing older is about appreciating the richness of life, even when it’s imperfect. It’s about recognizing the incredible opportunity we’ve been given to keep showing up, to keep living, and to keep evolving.

I’m not exactly sure when I came to terms with the fact that I’ll never look the way I used to, but somewhere along the way, I realized something important: women face an enormous amount of pressure to look young just as we’re truly stepping into our own power.

It’s almost ironic, isn’t it? The moment we begin to feel confident, accomplished, and comfortable in our skin, society tells us that we’re losing our value because we don’t look as youthful as we once did.

But what if we stopped buying into this narrative? What if, instead of obsessing over trying to look like our younger selves, we focused on continuing to learn, laughing more, and loving deeper?

Don’t get me wrong—I’ll never stop wearing my sunscreen. But I refuse to believe that I need to apologize for or cover up the fact that I’ve lived, grown, and experienced life. Aging isn’t something to fear; it’s something to embrace.

The reality is that social pressures try to diminish women’s worth at every stage. Just when we’ve earned our place at the table through hard work, growth, and wisdom, society wants to take away the so-called “pretty privilege” that often comes with youth. Yet, ironically, younger women often aren’t taken seriously because they lack the experience we’ve accumulated over the years.

It’s time we stop letting the world tell us that our worth diminishes with age. Instead, let’s reclaim our value—our knowledge, resilience, and the beauty that comes from truly knowing who we are.

Aging isn’t something to fear or resist—at least, that’s how I see it now. There’s nothing ugly about growing older, and nothing to “resign” myself to. In fact, it’s freeing. I’ve come to realize that my worth and value are not tied to the way I look.

From the moment we’re born, women are bombarded with messages about appearance. We’re told to smile, to look “presentable,” and often feel the need to apologize for things like our weight or the way we look. It’s exhausting—and let’s be real, most of us have experienced this. It’s almost universal.

But here’s the thing: I’ve finally reached a point where I’m truly comfortable with who I am, mistakes and all. I’ve lived, learned, and grown. I know who I am and who I am not, and no external opinion can change that. I’ve become immune to the pressure of the male gaze, to other people’s assumptions and judgments. They don’t define me anymore. If someone doesn’t like me? Well, that’s their problem to sit with, not mine.

Life is too precious to be weighed down by worrying about who approves of me. I’m too busy enjoying the things that matter—watching kids grow, exploring the world with my husband, laughing and connecting with my friends. These moments of joy and wisdom that come from living are what truly count.

Here’s a truth we often forget: When we’re gone, no one will remember whether we had wrinkles or gray hair. They’ll remember the person we were—our kindness, our humor, our thoughtfulness. The impression we leave behind has nothing to do with how we look and everything to do with how we lived.

That said, it’s still important to take care of yourself. Self-care isn’t about chasing eternal youth; it’s about making sure you feel good inside and out. Eat well, move your body, get enough sleep, and don’t forget to use SPF. Keep stress in check, and most importantly, find moments of joy and laughter every single day.

Aging isn’t something to battle. It’s something to embrace with grace, wisdom, and love—for yourself and the life you’ve created.