Sipping coffee with a gal pal who says, “You should write about age. Age and jobs. Age and bodies. Age and dating. It’s a pain in the ass.” She’s right. Aging is definitely different for the girls.
Her frustration comes from a job hunt. She is a super-talented events and trade show planner looking for a new place to land. She gets interviews. She is highly qualified. Ticks all the boxes. Connects with the interviewer. And then…ghosted. Over and over again. What’s the missing piece? After months, she wonders, is it possible it’s age?
In the same breath, she wonders over skin treatments and a breast lift without surgery. Evidently, a procedure labeled the vampire breast lift is gaining popularity. Why? I’d much rather have enormous income than enormous perk but that’s just me.
No man would ponder dad bod fat removal or wrinkle treatments if he were getting job ghosted. He’d merely take up too much room in reception and embellish his experience. Look it up. Recruiters note that women don’t apply for jobs unless they tick every box. Men, however, take the task list as a suggestion. They are fully sure that they can mold the position to them.
Is there a magic key to the kingdom when it comes to chicks embracing our age? Aging gracefully? Loving our bodies, ourselves at any age? Doubt it. The ladies of a certain age are too conditioned, too brainwashed, and too convinced that our bodies, ourselves aren’t enough.
We also still send written thank you notes so no response after a job interview leads us to want to find your mother and tell on you.
It’s ironic how the tables have turned. Ten years ago, Boomers lamented the lack of gumption of the younger set. Now that set holds Boomer futures in its hands. Way to think ahead Boomers.
Although we can’t turn back the conditioning, we can attempt deprogramming. We are no longer lithe, tight, or adept at all-nighters. But our brains, our wit, our talents are sharper than ever. Lifted breasts don’t get us the positions we’re after. They only advance the climb on ladders we don’t want to ascend. Don’t buy into the hype.
Is it possible it’s time to give up the pursuit of perfection? Even on our best days, we really weren’t. Our memories may be fuzzy on how well we juggled partners, kids, jobs, and looking great. Odds are, we had more days of mayhem than impeccability.
We can still rock that perfect dress, pearls, and a great shoe those younger chicks can’t afford. We can discern the best from the bullshit. The right job will come along. And if it doesn’t, we’ve got enough experience under our belts to create it. I can’t wait to see your next move girlfriend.
BTW–anybody have an events/trade show job for one of the Dolls? Let me know. Gotta get her a job before she goes for the boob job. Pfft.
The Duchess Diaries 
FABULOUS. Ageism is running rampant in our lives. Must be 22, perky in every way, long blonde curling hair, perfect makeup, etc., etc. Experience doesn’t matter in so many places. You might as well throw your application in the trash because after the hiring entity meets with you, they never call back.
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