Monday Musings- Laughter, Wisdom, and Why I Love This Community
A few weeks ago, a reader asked me what aging naturally means to me. It’s one of those questions that sounds simple until you sit with it for a moment. How we decide to age in a world full of options is deeply personal, and no single approach gets to claim the moral high ground.
What followed was one of those conversations that reminds me why this community matters so much.
I nodded along to many of your comments and laughed out loud at others. There was wisdom, perspective, and a very healthy sense of humor woven through the responses.
Some of you landed firmly in the pick-and-choose camp.
Some embrace gray hair, wrinkles, and the freedom that comes with it.
Some happily use Botox, retinol, or both, not to look younger, but to feel better.
What struck me wasn’t the variety of answers. It was the tone with no judgment and no lectures. Just women talking honestly about what works for them, in bodies that have lived a lot of life and learned things along the way.
Here are a few of your observations:
- Shoes have definitely changed from fun to things a platypus could wear!
- I just saw comedian Fran Lebowitz, and she said there are three looks…young, old and surgical! I’m still laughing! I’ll take old✅
- Aging naturally to me means freedom! Not thinking I have to lose 10 lbs to fit into an article of clothing that I have been hanging on to.
- I am 76 with white hair, wrinkles, crackly joints, and lots of other aging stages. I dearly relish and appreciate each white hair, wrinkle, creaky joints, etc., because of a sis who cancer took at 50 and never got to experience older age and all! I am simply grateful for each day!
- I had my upper eyelids done 7 years ago at the age of 65. I didn’t like how my upper lid kept folding further down. I’m really glad I did it.
- I’m not in the aging naturally column: if I were aging naturally, I’d have about 3-4 teeth left in my mouth and wouldn’t be able to eat anything that required chewing.
- To me, ageing naturally means just that. No hair dye, fillers, Botox, face lifts etc…just let nature take its course. But, like ‘natural’ childbirth, this approach can be painful and one that I have eschewed. Have not had a facelift, but certainly have fillers, Botox, and dye my hair.
This space has always felt like that to me. A place where we can compare notes, laugh at ourselves, and admit that comfort now factors into our decisions more than it once did. Including shoes. Especially shoes.
As the year winds down, I find myself appreciating this community more than ever. Slower conversations, fewer rules, common sense, kindness…and the freedom to decide what feels right without needing anyone else’s approval.
I’ll be taking a little time off over the holidays, but before I do, I want to say thank you. Your honesty, humor, and generosity are what make this space what it is, and I deeply appreciate you.
As we look ahead to 2026, I’d love to hear from you. What would you like to see more of here in the coming year? More real-life outfits? Deeper dives into color and fit? Fewer rules and more perspective? Or something you’ve been quietly hoping I’d write about?
However you’re closing out the year, I hope it includes good company, a few laughs, and style that makes you feel confident.
xo
Jennifer,
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Looking forward to seeing more of your thoughts and ideas in 2026.
Jennifer, I hope you have a wonderful holiday and enjoy time with family and friends. I appreciate your honesty and openness about your own problems. Makes me feel like I’m with a friend. Thank you!
We are all friends here, which is why I love this community
Thank you, Jennifer, for choosing to do this day after day. You’re important to us. Happy holidays to you and yours. Enjoy a well-deserved break.
Yes to a deeper dive into color and style.
It would be nice to see plus size clothing included in sources.
Shoes are a nightmare – I need a true wide fit not just “they run wide”
My shoes are 3 different sizes – and they all fit!
Merry Christmas Jennifer!
I cannot say enough how much I enjoy your blog. You know you are the first thing I read at the crack of dawn in Oregon. So in February we are attending my great nephews wedding in Orlando. Help, I need suggestions for a dress. The ceremony is outdoors and reception indoors. I am hoping you can help.
Thank you.
It will be nice and warm but the humididty should not be too bad so a nuce summer dress will work.
Lately, I’m more aware of the environmental impact of buying new clothes as well as the labor conditions in many countries. In 2026, I would love to hear your thoughts on this, and also to hear your suggestions on some of clothing companies that sell organic fair trade products.
Thank you Jennifer for writing such a beautiful blog everyday. You bring warmth, caring and a softness to this sometimes difficult world we live in. I hope you enjoy your time off over the holidays. May the New Year bring you a year of joy in whatever you do.
Lovely post, thank you. And my mantra is, “if not now, when?” I love sequins and velvet and jewelry but have always been reticent about standing out so they sit in my closet. I am 85…what do I think I am waiting for? “When” is now!
Yes, it’s now!! I need to remind myself too
And this is why we love you and your blog so much Jennifer – you write with such honesty, compassion, wisdom and humour.
Happy Holidays to you, all your loved ones and all the fabulous women who follow your blog. And may 2026 be a more gentle, kind year to us all. xo
Thanks for being here Yvonne! xox
I really enjoy your try-on posts. I don’t have any of those stores in my small, rural city, so I like seeing what is out in the stores for women my age. I appreciate your candid comments about style, fit, and fabric.
I enjoy reading your posts. I really appreciate your “try ons” and your honest opion about the clothes.
I want to wish everyone the happiest of holidays!!!!
Happy new year to Jennifer and this wonderful community! Let’s all age how WE want to! However that is! And let’s continue to help each other. Love to you all! 🥰
I enjoy your column every day and appreciate your insights and honesty. I would love to hear more on color and fit in the coming year. Wishing you happy holidays and a happy and healthy new year!
Merry Christmas. Enjoy your time away. Rest and rejoice! And thank you for this blog which I look forward to each day!
Love your eyeglass frames in this photo. Would you please share the brand? Thank you.
They are Burberry from here.
Happy Holidays to you and your family!!! We’ll be here when you come back!
Thank you, Jennifer, for starting off my day in a very nice, uplifting way. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.
I have totally embraced my gray which turned out to be a lovely shade of gray and my brown hair. I know it will turn all gray but I am enjoying what it is now. I exercise five days a week and I try to maintain a healthy weight and I do watch my diet. As for skin care , I have a lot of products and use them every day. I am not trying to look young just the best I can at 75. I have not had any plastic surgery except for a breast reduction.
Really enjoy all of your posts. I would love to see what you find at a Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, or Winners ! I know this is hard as the stuff is so random you really can’t add links to buy – but it still would be fun to see what outfits you pull together. Thanks – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas and a special New Year. So enjoy your posts. I like the variety you have posted, more of the same will be just fine with me.