Why is JLo sexy at 51? (And other thoughts in this time of uncertainty)

One of my favorite books is the late Nora Ephron’s I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman. It’s a humorous and light take on aging and other anecdotes. Aging is serious enough, so why not just laugh it off?

During this pandemic and these tumultuous times, how can one age gracefully or lightheartedly? If there is anything that will truly make us old, it is the present. It may be just because I am home 100% of the time and I watch in horror as recent global and local events unfurl right before my eyes — enough to give me anxiety attacks with matching wrinkles.

Aging gracefully. What does that even mean? More so, what does it mean during a global pandemic and economic downturn? Is it even possible? So how do we navigate and be our best selves during these times of uncertainty? How do we preserve our sanity and remain beautiful inside and out?  In a couple of months, I will be celebrating my second birthday in lockdown. Am I to fester at home forevermore?

Let’s keep positive or else drown, and embrace the aging process with grace and openness, especially during these unique times. Here are my observations about the “passing of time.”

When I was growing up, a woman in her 50s was the stereotypical “lola” with white hair or any one of the wacky characters from The Golden Girls. The face of a woman in her 50s now is JLo, aka the va-va-voom, voluptuous beauty Jennifer Lopez. When JLo and Colombian superstar Shakira shook their booties in the halftime show for the 2020 Super Bowl, it changed the perception of women in their 40s and 50s.

They sang while performing complicated choreography, swayed their ample hips, were thrown about by dancers, balanced on a pole (!) — all in shiny, skimpy outfits. What energy! Obviously, they are gorgeous, sexy women and I am proud to be in their age group.  Most importantly, they had this inner vitality that emanated from them. Never lose that vitality.  It is one of the secrets to remain ageless. Vitality makes you glow. Right, JLo?

Speaking of vitality, as you get older, you notice your energy depleting. What was once an abundant source of physical activity now has its limitations. In my 20s, I used to party until 7 a.m., went home to shower, then headed to work. The routine was a late dinner with friends followed by clubbing (disco back then) and capped off with an early-morning breakfast, then home. Repeat. Sometimes my night would start at 12 midnight, like a reverse Cinderella.

Now I hardly would even step out of the house past 6 p.m. (or don’t go out because of COVID, period). I prefer a leisurely lunch or early cocktails with friends, which ends not later than 9 p.m. My energy is more focused during the day. I walk the treadmill for 45 minutes and exercise daily. So yeah, I have stamina but it’s different. When I think of “that girl” who used to stay up all night, I can’t imagine she was me. I get tired just thinking of her.

Memory is a peculiar thing. I remember distinctly what happened years ago down to the last detail — the imagery, intense feelings felt, even the smell of a place. Nowadays, I sometimes don’t remember what I did 30 minutes ago. Do you also keep going back to your room or home numerous times thinking you forgot something like lock the door, or turn off an appliance and such?

Names are also forgotten and conversations with friends use references: “That actor who was the kontrabida in that cowboy movie”; “the blonde singer who sang Hit Me Baby One More Time” or “the ditzy girl who kept on failing in high school.”

My friends who watch K-dramas just have code names for the actors since it is just too hard to memorize their real names. We have “Bubuyog,” “Scarface,” “Good Boy,” “Start Up Boy,” “GY,” “LMH,” “HB,” “Irita Girl,” and “Impakta.” The funny thing is we know exactly who is being talked about.

Despite all the tension during this lockdown, there is this freedom when it comes to our choice of clothes. I have never dressed more comfortably. Loose clothing and flats or slippers is my daily uniform and it is so liberating. What is up with all the tight and constricting clothes that were de rigueur in the past?

During my teens, there were pants described as “second skin” and we used to lie down to zip up our jeans. How did we even eat — or we didn’t? Noteworthy is the high-heeled shoes. I have been wearing high heels for ages and can even run in stilettos.  Now I am unsure how it would feel if I slipped on a pair since I haven’t worn any since March of last year. Will I get dizzy from the height?