Strange how certain images can trigger past memories. This happened to me while converting some old negatives into digital ones. Which in turn led me to embark on a sort of ‘views & values’ detox.
It’s proving to be an interesting if somewhat challenging journey to navigate. Gradually unpacking stuff it’s surprising what rabbit holes of thought you can fall into.
Use this link to visit you tube to listen to Go Get A Tattoo by frank carter & the Rattlesnakes
https://youtu.be/dv8G2XLwgXA?si=AgDqngtbvM0XoM1F
Unlike Frank Carter in one of his most recent songs I am not imploring everyone to ‘Go get a tattoo’. However I would recommend getting into the personal habit overhauling long held view. Holding them up for thorough scrutiny to check the validity.
New Ideas for Old
It occurs to me that as we age quite often we cling to what seems familiar. Sometimes this leads to views becoming so entrenched that when new ideas or approaches to problems present. They can be rejected without consideration.
While age does bring a degree of learned experience that can help circumvent replicating mistakes. It can also keep you from exploring new options.
I am now trying to actively keep my ears in receive mode especially when talking to those younger than myself. Not always easy but definitely enlightening & interestingly I have found that many newer narratives have greater merit than those of the past.
Use the link below to watch a short video of me wearing my new boots.
Take for example the iconic Doc Marten footwear once the preserve of workmen & skin heads. These have since become very mainstream & like tattoos started to fascinate me to the point where I realised that actually wanted a pair.
However the desire for a pair of such boots heavy boots was accompanied by a flash of anxiety. Making me question whether such a purchase & subsequent wearing was ‘age appropriate’?
To Conform or Not?
While I am sure there are probably many ‘keyboard karens’ ready to rush to tell me that I shouldn’t have. I’m proud to confess I mustered the courage from some where to buy a pair.
Breaking them in is a work in progress but totally worth it as they are becoming so comfortable. Wearing them during a recent foray to a ‘mosh pit’ I can totally understand why they would be the footwear of choice.
Yet where had that fear come from? No one had actually told me not to yet I still feared the ‘judgement’ & felt the sense of unease that I was doing something wrong.
Whilst it’s not exclusive, the judgy comments surprisingly tend to come from women of a similar age. Leading me to conclude this stems from their own fears or lack of confidence to break out of conventions they have been bound by.
Based on recent personal experience risking ridicule by flouting conventions is never easy. Still at least I am not trying to ‘change the narrative for older women’ singlehandedly.
Smashing Conventions
I am now following a growing band of adept female influencers whom I follow across various platforms who continually challenge these tired old views.
They inspire me to ‘do my bit’. Even when faced with what seems like an endless loop of ‘no you can’t or shouldn’t narratives’. All of which id often accompanied by any amount of eye rolling, tutting & derogatory smirking.
Use the link below to watch a video of me duetting a Tik Tok Influencer about tattoos.
Confounding the expectations of what it is to be older or retired is proving quite fun & presenting opportunities to not only don the clothes & footwear I want but also new activities. The sunny weather over the Easter holidays provided the perfect time for breaking out the slackline for the first time.
It was fun if a little challenging & it might be a while before I can jump up on to it & cross without the aid of the guide rope but everyone has to start somewhere. I have recently read some articles advising the need for ‘senior folk’ to work on their balance, just not sure this is quite what they had in mind to be fair.
So I will leave you for now while I go and work on improving the nano second of balance achieved without holding on until next time.