Tag Archives: Cindy Joseph

  • 30
    Sep 16
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Thirty-five months, no color: Sep 29, 2016

Going Silver and Ageism

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My thirty-five month journey down Silver Linings Lane has opened my eyes to how ageist our culture is in America. In “This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism”, Ashton Applewhite writes, “Although we age in different ways and at different rates, everyone wakes up a day older.” Well, well … isn’t that the truth and something we all need to ponder!? She goes on to say, “Longevity is here to stay. Everyone is aging. Ending ageism benefits us all.” I concur!

Blogging about my “Going Silver” journey is a way of standing up and saying … enough of looking at silver strands as something unattractive and in need of covering up. Enough of the shame. Be proud of the silver, it’s your shiny medal for living a long life. Think of all the people six-feet-under who would love to trade places with you right now. Get over the drama and live in the present.

Tune out the anti-aging ads for creams and cover ups to disguise WHO YOU ARE! Like Applewhite says, “The next time you see a product touting its “anti-aging” prowess, remember that “anti-aging” actually means “anti-living”! Wow! That is so true! I’d encourage you to purchase Applewhite’s book and look into Atul Gawande’s book, “Being Mortal”. And, google Dr. Bill Thomas’s website and check out his: The Age of Disruption Tour: What if nearly everything we think we know about aging is wrong.

If you need more encouragement, here’s another Pro-Age person, I’ve mentioned Cindy Joseph many times throughout the years, check out her video on ageism (below). She rocks!

http://blog.boombycindyjoseph.com/agism-against-yourself/?utm_campaign=Agism+SWC+Video++9-8-16+%28t5vrLK%29&utm_medium=email&_ke=cWdsZW5kYUBnbWFpbC5jb20%3D&utm_source=All+Subscribers

You are not alone! We are not alone! There is a tribe of Pro-Age Revolutionaries out there! Join us. Wear your age as an honor badge! Stand tall, raise your voice, show how amazing you are and what age has to offer the masses! Let’s be frank about our age, talk about it … check out what Applewhite had to say in her last blog post. It’s time to unpack the age-related baggage, process what it has done to our culture, evaluate how we unconsciously perpetuate ageism, and with that awareness educate others. It’s possible. With awareness and mindfulness, individually we humans can rewire the way we think and start new patterns that will spread. Join the revolutionaries I’ve mentioned above … I am!

As always, see below some pictures of my 35th month of no highlights and lowlights! Check out my natural highlights in the back. Is that cool or what?! It’s me … ala natural!

Thirty-five months, no color: Sep 29, 2016
Thirty-five months, no color: Sep 29, 2016
Thirty-five months, no color: Sep 26, 2016
Thirty-five months, no color: Sep 26, 2016
Thirty-five months, no color: Sep 26, 2016
  • 31
    Aug 16
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Thirty-four months, no color: Aug 31, 2016

Going Silver and Less Makeup!

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Last time I wrote a blog post was back in May. Since then, I’ve been in a personal funk for a variety of reasons. I’m trying to regroup, get my mojo back. Ya know what I mean! Thankfully, I’m starting to see that “silver” light at the end of the tunnel! 🙂

Recently, I looked at photos taken of me in my early 40s. At the time, I thought I was fat and flawed. Now that I’m in my 50s, I think I looked fabulous in my 40s. Although I can’t get those years back, I don’t want to look back at my 50s and have the same realization. No, I’m not going to waste my time dwelling on negative thoughts promoted by a culture that doesn’t appreciate the aging process or the fact that women have a mind to think for themselves and do what they want with their own bodies. So, goodbye to the personal funk, I’m here to enjoy the present moment!

That said, self-acceptance statements are showing up everywhere…we are so privileged to be alive now. For those of you who have followed my posts over the past 34 months, you know that I stopped highlighting/low-lighting my hair and started wearing less make-up! I wanted to be in touch with the real me! I was inspired by Cindy Joseph and her Pro-Age Revolution. Recently, I heard that Alicia Keys has stopped wearing make-up. I actually cried HAPPY tears when I read her essay in Lena Dunham’s Lenny Letter, these words really touched my soul:

“…I don’t want to cover up anymore. Not my face, not my mind, not my soul, not my thoughts, not my dreams, not my struggles, not my emotional growth. Nothing.”

Like Alicia, I feel this is my path … it’s time to BE ME. And, if it’s not for you, take Alicia’s advice, “Do you!” Another female celebrity who encouraged me was Colbie Caillat with her song “Try“! Wow, what terrific lyrics and the video is so empowering! Young girls are so lucky to see and hear these messages! It gives me hope for the girls and women who struggle to keep up with the unrealistic airbrushed women in magazines and online. Check out the color (see below) I was hiding under my highlights and low-lights! One of the stylists at the salon thought I had highlights to get this color! No, this is the real, raw ME!! I love it!!!

Thirty-four months, no color: Aug 31, 2016

Thirty-four months, no color: Aug 31, 2016

So, if you are in a personal funk, be strong. Do you! If you are having issues making the transition to silver – check out the what some young people are doing – and join the grey craze. The Grombre look is the latest thing! For those of us who are naturally turning silver, we have it easy. Join me and many others who are discovering the freedom of less makeup and trips to the salon!

Thirty-four months, no color: Aug 20, 2016
Thirty-four months, no color: Aug 20, 2016
Thirty-four months, no color: Aug 20, 2016
Thirty-four months, no color: Aug 20, 2016
Thirty-four months, no color: Aug 20, 2016
Thirty-four months, no color: Aug 22, 2016
Thirty-four months, no color: Aug 31, 2016
Thirty-four months, no color: Aug 31, 2016
Thirty-four months, no color: Aug 31, 2016
Thirty-four months, no color: Aug 31, 2016
  • 07
    Mar 15
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Nine months, no color - July 24, 2014

Going Silver: Nine Months, No Color

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I made it … nine months and no color! In these pictures, the shift to silver is starting to show. The pix were cropped ( a lot), so the images are not very clear. But, this is when the doubts started to creep in. Thankfully, I had people like Cindy Joseph to encourage me. Her videos on the Pro-Age Rally and Revolution really helped me. Seeking support is important, I joined a few Facebook pages started by women who chose to go gray. If you are contemplating the natural look … I encourage you to join a support group. It is a great way to see that others have doubts and a place to seek encouragement from those who have gone all the way to gray!

I belong to two Facebook pages on going gray and will share a snippet of what I read this week. I am not going to expose the names of the people because the FB pages are “closed” to the public. One woman said: “Not having to color my hair every 3-4 weeks is almost as good as not having a period anymore! Just sayin’, lol” Love it and the sense of humor! 🙂 Totally agree! Here’s a note from someone in the contemplation stage and the initial response from the FB community:

Screen Shot

FaceBook Screen Shot

Facebook Screen Shot

Facebook Screen Shot

I am grateful for the Facebook platform because it offers a collaborative and supportive environment for those of us on the silver path. Aging is a gift and why our culture treats it like a curse is ridiculous and shameful. It’s time to change and there is a growing number of us who feel that way! Join the Pro-Age Mindset.

If you feel the same, please share your story in the comments below! And, join one of the going gray FB pages! I’m sure you will enjoy the experience.

Nine months, no color – July 24, 2014
Nine months, no color – July 24, 2014
Nine months, no color – July 24, 2014
  • 13
    Dec 14
  • 2
Mom and Glenda (2011)

Going Silver: How Mom Motivated Me

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In my first post on going silver, I mentioned that I did not come to this realization on my own. That I was inspired by people like Cindy Joseph (Boom by Cindy Joseph). Cindy made me start thinking and reflecting on how gracefully my Mother went from red hair to almost a blondish look and now silver. Interestingly, when Mom and I are out-and-about, people who do not know us would ask if we are sisters. I know, it isn’t exactly a compliment for how I am handling the aging phase, but it is a huge compliment for my Mother. And, she’s done this without coloring her hair, by staying true to who she is, by not hiding from reality. Check out the picture of us above – it was taken the summer of 2011. Please note, that I have only high/low lighted my hair, so I’ve always let the silver shine a bit. I did that purposely and honestly, I think gray roots are nasty looking, so I never wanted to be in the position of having to worry about a solid line of them. Enough about that, doesn’t my Mom look great?!

Here’s the progression for my Mom starting with her 50th bday in 1993:

Mom's 50th Bday (1993)

Mom’s 50th Bday (1993)

This picture shows how red her hair really was:

Mom's 50th Bday

Mom’s 50th Bday

And, this picture was taken ten years later:

Mom and Glenda (Nov 2003)

Mom and Glenda (Nov 2003)\

I find it fascinating to look back and see the shades of grey as both my Mom and I have aged and I hope you do, too! We need to celebrate aging … just think about how many people would jump out of their graves if they had the chance to live longer. Just sayin’!

Interestingly, my Mom has had hairdressers tell her – DO NOT COLOR YOUR HAIR. There are women who PAY to get the color you have right now. Hm. That really made me pause and think. Also, as we age, our skin color changes along with our hair and I really think it looks better when the two match or compliment each other. Of course, that’s my opinion. But, think about that when you see someone who is older and colors their hair. Really study their face and how the hair frames it. Is it harsh? Does it look natural? Once I started looking at silver hair with a new perspective, I started realizing that I wanted to try it. And now I’m a year into my new look. I will start sharing some photos of that conversion process in my next few posts. Stay tuned! 🙂

Mom and I … see why she’s my inspiration! (2011)
My Mom and I…she’s my inspiration! (Nov 2003)
Mom’s 50th Bday … her natural hair color! (1993)
Mom’s 50th Bday … her natural hair color (1993)
  • 28
    Nov 14
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Going Silver: Highlight, Lowlight, Nolight

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This picture was taken on November 5, 2013. I had high-and-low-lighted my hair on October 1st. If you look close, you can see silver strands peaking out here and there. Most people just thought it was blonde, but I knew the truth! There seemed to be more silver than blonde those days.

IMG_2820 - Version 2

The woman who used to do my high-and-lowlights was excellent when it came to her trade and she did a great job with my hair. So, you can imagine her surprise when I went in six months later for a trim ONLY and explained my intention to go natural – to let the silver shine! She warned that sooner than later, I’d be back in her chair.

Well, it’s been a year without any high-and-lowlights. Granted, there are days when I think, “Who the hell is that?” But, more often than not, I look in the mirror and think, “Wow, you look awesome!” Yes, the good days definitely outweigh the bad. And, that is what made me think that I should share my thoughts along the way. To encourage others to try it. To buck the trend or the social norms that encourage us to cover up who we really are and to not accept aging. It’s about time we recognize aging for what it is – a gift from God, the Universe, our Higher Power! So, join me as I share pictures and thoughts as I gracefully grow into gray, I mean silver.

By the way, I did not come to this revelation on my own. Cindy Joseph of Boom by Cindy Joseph inspired me with her Pro-Age Revolution. I encourage you to follow Cindy Joseph and prepare to be enlightened, here’s a glimpse of what you’ll get:

To that end, I hope you enjoy my pictorial story and written ramblings along the way. Please feel free to share your thoughts, concerns, and encouragement. I think it is vital to seek support when bucking trends! Further, a supportive community that makes their voices heard may inspire others to go silver. Let’s be trendsetters. What is it Cindy says? Silver is the new blonde. Love it! Let’s join the Pro-Age Revolution and live a life built on truth and look for silver linings!

SPECIAL NOTE: The title of my blog post was inspired by a dear friend, Tes Neal. Thank you for the inspiration, Tes!

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