Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Aging is the great equalizer - we all become a bit "invisible" as we age in this youth-obsessed culture, no matter how beautiful we are or were.
I wonder if it's easier for someone who has never been beautiful to age because they never felt their identity and value was intertwined with their looks; to go from turning heads to gradually noticing that not even the construction workers whistle anymore when you walk by -- that's a game-changer.
From one of my favorite books, about a 50ish woman:
But just as she was resigning herself to total defeat, the odds began to alter in Vinnie's favor. Within the last couple of years she has in a sense caught up with, even passed, some of her better-equipped contemporaries. The comparison of her appearance to that of other women of her age is no longer a constant source of mortification. She is no better looking than she ever was, but they have lost more ground."
Alison Lurie
Foreign Affairs

Anonymous wrote:Being ugly has defined my life also. Basically, I was cute from 0-4. At 4 or 5 I entered the awkward phase and at 38 have never left it. I was bullied all through school, to the point that it's good there were no guns in our house. Kids used to constantly tell me pre-10/31 "Um, Halloween isn't here yet so you should take off your mask" and post-10/31 "Halloween is over; you can take off your mask now." When my older brother delivered newspapers to neighbors, he came home one day and sheepishly admitted a kid in my grade gave him a dog biscuit to give me. My mother shrugged and told him to give it to our dog. I was really disappointed that she said nothing to console me. During class pictures kids would try to push me out of the picture saying I'd break the camera and would argue about who had to sit next to me.
Nobody ever asked me out in high school or college. I didn't even know when my prom was. Nobody asked to sign my yearbook (and I didn't bother getting one). I was not invited to any graduation parties. I invited about a dozen kids to mine - NONE came. I was so embarrassed that I lied to the relatives and told them my mom said I had to have a separate party for friends, and there was so much extra food that my brother got told to invite his friends over to eat. Usually I don't bother trying to look good, just aim for acceptable/appropriate. For my brother's wedding I did EVERYTHING I could possibly do to look good. When I saw pictures they were so bad that I cried because after all that effort, I still looked awful.
I am forgotten and ignored by the general public. I just hope that I don't die of suspicious causes that require an autopsy because it'd be embarrassing for them to find out I'm a virgin.
Anonymous wrote:In looks, there are two kinds of women in the world -
Beautiful women and lazy women.
Anyone can look nice with clothes, makeup, hairdo etc. ANYONE!
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Aging is the great equalizer - we all become a bit "invisible" as we age in this youth-obsessed culture, no matter how beautiful we are or were.
I wonder if it's easier for someone who has never been beautiful to age because they never felt their identity and value was intertwined with their looks; to go from turning heads to gradually noticing that not even the construction workers whistle anymore when you walk by -- that's a game-changer.
This might be true. I am the freckle poster from above and strangely I feel like they are slightly beneficial wrt aging because they help hide wrinkles. Fwiw, I have always gotten catcalls and looks from men in bars etc. but I always thought that had more to do with my body, which I don't think has anything to do with being "pretty." Good body, nice hair, average to ugly face because of the freckles.
Anonymous wrote:Aging is the great equalizer - we all become a bit "invisible" as we age in this youth-obsessed culture, no matter how beautiful we are or were.
I wonder if it's easier for someone who has never been beautiful to age because they never felt their identity and value was intertwined with their looks; to go from turning heads to gradually noticing that not even the construction workers whistle anymore when you walk by -- that's a game-changer.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:This is as bad as the pretty thread
For goodness sake don't call yourself ugly!
How about "not physically attractive?"
It's weird how much importance people place on beauty in women. If someone said "I'm not a good cook" you wouldn't be throwing such a fit.
I'm not pretty. I'm 46, 60 pounds over weight. I have lots of worry lines and laugh lines. I have a thin mouth, a snub nose, and my eyes are to small. My face is too round. My hair is a disaster -- thin and curly. I have the wings on the top of my arms. I have a belly from having kids. I'm apple shaped. I wear glasses because I can't wear contacts anymore.
I am ugly. I am also smart, kind, and funny. I work hard. My kids adore me. My husband loves me.
Pretty isn't everything.
Anonymous wrote:There is a very odd reaction from thinking of yourself as pretty or ugly. People are uncomfortable with the idea that each of us has formed an opinion about our own features.
The difference between feeling ugly and not being able to cook is that you could learn to cook, and your looks and your feelings about your looks are something that are with you 24-7 in one way or another. It's a bigger deal.
So, wondering. what is the reaction if I told you that, in fact, I am pretty, but I am not smart, kind, or funny. Wouldn't it sound like I have low self-esteem?
Anonymous wrote:Below average looking women are the norm in this area.