I have found that in the past year or two, I stopped. Mostly because for ME, they look super unrealistic. They look natural for many other women, but for me, it's a no.

I'm almost 45 years old. I do NOT have the skin of a 20yo. Why should I pretend that I do? To fit whose standard of beauty?

 

I promise you, almost no one gives a crap if you have wrinkles in your photos. And people who do....need to get their heads checked.

 

So you look "good" in a photo, but people who get to see you in real life, laugh with you, cry with you...they see the real you. So why do you care about people who only see you in a photo?

 

People age. If we're lucky, at least.

 

Two years ago, I lost my best friend. She didn't get to make it to 40. We were supposed to grow old together and now she doesn't get to. That was a turning point for me in my battle with aging. I am LUCKY to get my white hairs. I am LUCKY to watch my laugh lines get deeper. The crinkles around my eyes. Even my frown lines, and the worry lines between my eyes. I EARNED every line on my face. I'm not ashamed of them.

 

Every single line on my face has a story, that I am lucky to be able to tell. My Missy won't get that. Lots and lots of people we all know won't get that privilege.

 

I urge you to stop using the filters. Or at least decreasing the opacity of them, so you can get used to and LOVE your REAL face. I promise you, you're beautiful, just as you are.

 

It's a blessing and a privilege to age. WEAR IT PROUDLY!