Tag Archives: accept your age

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Twenty-five months, no color: Nov 3, 2015

Going Silver: Natural Highlights

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In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I would like to declare how grateful I am for the natural highlights bestowed upon me. Were it not for my non-conformist courage to stop highlighting/lowlighting, I would not have known the true beauty woven into the many strands of hair by the Great Creator.

About a week ago, I sauntered into my chiropractor’s office and signed-in at the front desk under the bright office lights. The two women at the reception desk commented on my hair, the color, how healthy it looked, and how it shined under the lights. So, I shared my Going Silver story with them. They were shocked that my hair was “all-a-naturale”! One said it looked as though I had just been to the salon for highlights. And I said, “No need! God did it for me!” 😉 This led to a conversation on culture and the pressure for women to look a certain way. The two women have dark hair and lamented that it is much more difficult for those with dark hair. That us blondes have it easier. They have a point.

Twenty-five months, no color: Nov 1, 2015; Check out those natural highlights from the top!!

Twenty-five months, no color: Nov 1, 2015; Check out those natural highlights from the top!!

That said, I had an interesting encounter that made me question their response. I was sitting at an outside café sipping a latte while waiting for my car to be serviced at the shop. I was reading a book, but looked up each time someone approached the front door of the café. It was an interesting mix of people, all of whom I exchanged pleasantries. But, there was one that I wish I had taken more time to engage with. It was a middle-aged, dark-haired woman who had the most beautiful mix of silver! She was aglow … she radiated confidence, happiness, vivaciousness, and kindness. I wish I could roll back time and ask for her Silver Story! I need to go back to that café soon … maybe I’ll run into her again. That’s the kind of Silver Role Model I want to be … one that inspires others to be who they are! There is a profound sense of beauty in authenticity!

In contrast, I see other pasty women with skin stretched back on their face and bright bottle-colored hair as they attempt to reach back in time to a day that has passed them by. Why?! Grasp the moment you are in … revel in the beauty around you! And, don’t buy into the cultural norms that tell you aging = ugly and over. Look around you and see the Silver Haired women (and men) out there who are simply radiant and totally enjoying the present moment! And, look in the mirror … see the beauty and rock it!

On that high note, let me ask you once again to join me on this journey down Silver Linings Lane … check out my Silver Linings photos to see my journey, subscribe to my blog, share your thoughts (this includes my Bestie for the Restie) and worries. We’ve all had them! We can do this together!


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Twenty-four months, no color: Oct 20, 2015

Going Silver: Made it Two Years – NO COLOR!!

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I’m so proud of myself for embracing my age and accepting the changes that come with it! I feel as though the entire Universe is celebrating my two years of no highlights/lowlights. I have had nothing but awesome compliments this month! Some from people I know and some from strangers. I’ve had so many compliments that I feel like a Silver Selebrity! 😉 These comments came from people ages 23 to 70+, a mix of men and women, several different nationalities, and from varied backgrounds. I’m walking on a cloud of silver! Check out the photo gallery below!!

I was in Minnesota recently and a dear friend I hadn’t seen in a year asked if I had just highlighted my hair. My response was, “These are natural, sparkly silver highlights from God above!” Her response in a beautiful British accent was, “Well done!” This conversation took place on the tarmac at the airport in full sun! Other conversations took place in low light settings and I was quick to say I’ve had no highlights or lowlights in two years – these are natural highlights! 🙂 It’s awesome! And, guess what!? Men of all ages still give me a double-take!!

The more I accept my age the more confident I am. Let’s face it … none of us are getting out of here alive. We are not Methuselah! Further, we are more than just a physical form and must drop the attachment. That doesn’t mean we should stop taking care of ourselves. In fact, I see this as an act of love and compassion for my body – less chemicals and stress worrying about my roots and appearance! On that high note … lighten your load … enjoy your time on this planet … none of us know how long we have to enjoy this time! Get out of the salon and see the brilliant blue sky, go for a walk and listen to the birds, watch a brilliant sunrise or sunset! God is a much better highlighter and lowlighter … notice the nuances of nature and let them steal your breath away before you have no breath left!

Join me on this journey down Silver Linings Lane … subscribe to my blog, share your thoughts and worries. We’ve all had them! We can do this together! Yes, we can!


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Twenty-three months, no color: Sep 25, 2015

Going Silver: A Youthful Perspective

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It’s been almost two years since I started this journey down Silver Linings Lane. I’m not all silver, yet. In fact, I’m surprised how much dirty blonde is still coming out. Fortunately, it frames my face well for a smooth transition (as you can see in the featured image). Scroll down to see some close-up shots of my shining silver! Look for the big silver streak at the back of my head! I hope it’s a precursor … 🙂

In my humble opinion, learning to love yourself…in your natural state…is a whole new way of relating to yourself that is much more fulfilling than trying to cover up who you are. I can’t describe it. But, I’m glad I did it!

Last weekend, I went shopping with a friend who is my age. We went into BCBG in Chevy Chase (MD) just to look. We ended up trying on a few items. As we were checking out, we had an interesting exchange with two young girls who worked there. They were both in their 20s. We started out with normal chitchat about how good the outfits looked on us … I expressed surprise that my new grey shirt looked quite good with my silver hair. The lights over the register were very bright and both of the girls agreed and said they “loved my hair color”! Woo-hoo! Silver hair victory shuffle at the checkout counter!

Then, the young women started to talk about how young celebrities are coloring their hair grey … how it is a fad and they think it’s cool. The more they talked the more it hit me … they are so lucky to have this healthy way of looking at aging. I’m so proud of women who are standing up to the “norms” and feeling comfortable in their own skin. And, I’m so grateful that my mother showed me how to age gracefully and enjoy the process! We only get one chance at this thing called life … so I’m going to enjoy every phase and savor each step … and, in my case … silver step!

So, if it’s the right time for you … join me! Subscribe to my blog. I would love to hear from you. Remember … we’re in this together! Whether you color or not, we’re going silver. That’s the plain and simple truth! Accept it and enjoy the journey! 🙂


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Twenty-one months, no color: July 28, 2015

Going Silver: Shades of Silver and Gold

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I’m closing in on the two-year, no-color mark … and, I am psyched! So far, I’ve resisted the urge to follow the crowd and continue the high- and low-light game. It’s taken a lot of soul-searching and struggling with who I am. I have a lot of questions. Why do we throw away our youth … and then struggle to hold onto it? Why are we so caught up in thought … that we miss the present moment? Think less, live more! I’m trying to veer away from that incessant voice in my head telling me I’m not good enough. I’m trying to accept myself just the way I am. And that means living in the moment with gratitude and grace while embracing the real me.

This period of reflection has brought me back in touch with my youth. For example, when I was young, I used to love to swim. I would go underwater and then stand up with my hair in front of my face and marvel at the many colors of hair in the sunlight. Well, I am doing the same thing now, minus the swimming part. 🙂 I look at my hair in different lighting and see so many awesome colors. I love it! Each angle provides a different type of color. I’m blessed. This transition was easier than I thought it would be, but (IMHO) that is because I have chosen to accept the changes of aging. It is, what it is …

Speaking of changing colors … check out the photos below … they were taken minutes apart. Three inside, three outside. The outside pix show my hair color in a whole new light! I just love the silver streaking through … I think it will be magnificent when all my hair is silver. Until then, I’ll treasure the silver streaks! If you are thinking of naturally going silver … please sign up for my blog, share your thoughts (dark or light – my new way of highlighting and lowlighting – ha), and let’s help each other along the way! Until next month … all the best!


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