Getting Old and Looking Older

Getting Old and Looking Older

The Mirror Doesn’t Lie, But It Could Try Soften the Blow

There comes a day when the mirror stops being your friend and starts being that blunt bitch who doesn’t hold back. It might start with a stray grey eyebrow hair or the realisation that the bags under your eyes are permanent tenants who’ve stopped paying rent. One day you blink and your reflection says, “You look tired,” even when you’re not. That’s what inspired me to write this post on getting older and looking older.

Getting old and looking older is a universal human experience, but for some reason, we all treat it like a personal betrayal. There’s something oddly cruel about how fast it sneaks up. You’re doing fine, living your life, and suddenly someone asks you if you’ve considered beard dye.

When Did Gravity Get So Personal?

Living in Florence or London means you’re surrounded by beautiful architecture, history, and people who are somehow aging backwards. Meanwhile, you’re Googling whether haemorrhoid cream really does work on eye bags, because a TikToker said it did. (Spoiler: It stings.)

There’s a brutal honesty to European daylight. The lighting is never soft. It doesn’t hide your sins. You can step out for a quick espresso and come back looking ten years older, especially if you forgot sunscreen. That Roman sun is merciless.

Product Confessions and Beard Dye Regrets

I once dyed my beard with a product that promised subtle enhancement. What I got was an inky black chinstrap that made me look like a cartoon villain. The box said “natural” but apparently “natural” means “aggressively opaque.” The dog barked at me, and I scared myself in the mirror. Lesson learned. Read the instructions. Do a patch test. Don’t do it drunk.

And yes, there are products for everything now. Your teeth. Your hair. Your skin. Your hands. Your elbows. There are serums that cost more than rent and promise the skin of a fetus. We buy them because deep down, we believe we can outwit time.

The Real Fear: Being Forgotten

Looking older is one thing, but feeling invisible? That’s the real killer. Especially if you’re single. Especially if you’re gay. Especially if you’re in a city where 28-year-olds run the nightlife and your idea of a good evening is finding a wine that doesn’t cause reflux.

This is why I write stories like The New Apartment and The Pigeon, Drugs & Mafia, because I want to capture the humour and chaos of what it feels like to still be alive, still be curious, still be awkward, even as everything sags a little lower.

Some Practical, Possibly Useless Advice

Here’s what I’ve learned about facing aging without losing your mind:

• Stop comparing yourself to people on Instagram. They’re filtered. You’re real.
• Drink more water. Seriously. Start now.
• Buy clothes that fit now. Not ones that fit ten years ago or might fit in six months. Now.
• Find one skincare product that actually works and stick to it. Don’t chase fads unless you want your face to react like it’s been stung by bees.
• Get sleep. Or fake it with tinted eye cream. Either works.
• Learn to laugh at yourself. You’ll need this skill every time someone calls you “sir” or “ma’am.”

Aging Is a Privilege (That Still Sucks Some Days)

Getting old and looking older isn’t a punishment. It’s a milestone. You made it. You’re still here. And sure, everything hurts more now and gravity has picked new places to torment you, but you’re still upright. Mostly. Some days that’s enough.

There’s also a freedom in not giving a shit anymore. You care less about trends and more about comfort. You care less about impressing strangers and more about being kind to yourself. You realise that life isn’t a performance, it’s a series of weird scenes you get to star in—eyebags and all.

Want More Rants About Age, Identity, and Looking Slightly Feral?

If this resonated, you’ll probably also enjoy:

• Good Luck Getting Rid of Me
• Bromance Category

If nothing else, just know that you’re not the only one Googling “how to look less dead at 7am.”

Thanks for reading, wrinkles and all.

Fox