This is no time to back down
With getting older comes being overlooked in favour of the tall, smooth skinned beauty with the shiny long blond hair standing behind me at the bar, getting her coke and vodka before me, in spite of me being able to challenge the creative bartender with an order of Pink Gin and Fevertree Elderflower Tonic with a slice of cucumber, not lime.
Now, for a Norwegian introvert whose heart soars when people call me ordinary, practical and sensible, one would think it was a blessing to not be noticed. But it's not as simple as that.
I do want to get noticed! I just don't want to be conspicuous.
So how to get noticed? And more importantly, how to avoid being overlooked, and most of all, how to get noticed without wearing your bodyweight in statement jewelry? You want people to have conversations with your face, not with your necklace.
I'm not going to tell you to not wear white shoes after Memorial Day or short skirts after the age of 40.
And although I could write page after page about eyebrows and lipstick, and about wearing your colours when growing older, today I just want to remind you of:
Three things you definitely
should wear when you get old:
1
A killer haircut
Do not underestimate the power of a great hairstyle.
A sharp haircut, a softly cropped bob, a carefully bundled chignon, any haircut that suits your face and style, as long as it is intentional, up-to-date and well groomed. And bonus points for wearing your natural silver/grey hair colour.
After the silver starts showing its stately and empowering self, you'll be fighting a losing battle with the after-growth, and even the slightest strip of your natural hair colour showing at the roots will expose your sham. Save time and money by restoring your hair to it's natural colour, be your glorious self, and instead use your budget to enjoy the best lipsticks and eyebrow grooming that you can muster up. You'll look infinitely more elegant.
If your current hair stylist does not support you, switch to a hairdresser that applauds your decision to go silver and who cuts your hair in a classy, contemporary style that suits you.
2
Good posture
It's time to walk your talk.
Do you remember when you used to tell your children to stand up straight? Well, take a piece of your own advice and do just that.
Nothing ruins a good outfit quite like slouching shoulders and a rounded back.
Work out.
Take ballet lessons.
Do yoga.
Do whatever it takes to remind yourself to straighten up, square your shoulders and look the world in the eyes.
3
Confidence
Nothing commands attention quite like confidence.
And I'm not trying to convince you to grow into an extrovert overnight.
The quiet elegance of a confident introvert is just as compelling as the exuberant extrovert.
Confidence is catching.
When you are confident, you dissolve awkwardness in a five meter radius around you, and being yourself allows other people to themselves. And guess what? That makes people take notice of you.
Confidence is also the assurance that it's ok to not be the centre of attention. It's actually quite fabulous to be listening and observing.
