A woman in her late thirties reached out online to ask people to guess her age. She was surprised by their responses and highlighted her concerns about aging in an era dominated by social media filters and cosmetic enhancements.

Questions About Aging

Emily, a 36-year-old from Sydney, Australia, took to TikTok to see if people could accurately guess her age. The wide range of incorrect guesses gave her a new outlook on aging, inspiring her to proudly declare that she has "embraced my gray." She explains: "Women want to feel comfortable being themselves. We're all tired of trying to be 25 all the time. I know most people my age won't show their grey hair, but this is the truth."

Emily first began to see gray hairs at the age of 19 and has since chosen to fully accept her natural appearance. "I've never got Botox, I'm not wearing any makeup, I've never had any work done," she said in the video, noting the bags under her eyes are from sleepless nights with her young son.

Taking a Guess

Many attempted to guess her age, but most were off the mark. "I'm 57 and I think you're my age, maybe a few years younger,' guessed one woman. While another said: "You're in your mid-40s,' another declared. 'It's your grey hair, skin, the fine lines around your eyes, and frown lines." Even after revealing that she was 36, several people continued to guess wrongly.

"You look great for a 55-year-old," one person wrote.

"I'd say you were 37 to be nice, but in reality you look like you're 44. It's the skin under your eyes and your hair," another shared in response to the aging woman's question.

"36 going on 60. It probably is the hair that ages you but you are still very gorgeous," one man flatteringly commented.

Interestingly, it was mostly people in their late twenties and early thirties who managed to guess her age accurately. Emily was so intrigued by the varied responses that she made a second video to delve deeper into the discussion. "Someone is 35 and they think I'm 58. Do I genuinely look that old? Like I'm near retirement age?" She questioned, adding: " I think it is essential to remember that what you see on social media and what you see on television or what you've seen in magazines, and people have said this for years, it is not real."

Embracing Aging

Frustrated by her experiences, the mom from Sydney decided to launch her own line of sleepwear. She hopes to erase the stigma around aging and "combat the endless anti-aging campaigns on social media."

"I founded Dawn & Dusk Co. because to me, PJs are the ultimate gateway to comfort. When a woman feels comfortable, everything else falls into place." Emily shared. "She can do amazing things when she's not paralyzed by the need to be accepted. I'm on a mission to empower women to embrace their natural beauty and feel confident in who they are, at any age."

Emily is not alone in her journey to embrace aging. Many women have gained attention for challenging the negative stereotypes associated with growing older. Additionally, celebrities like Sharon Osborne, Ted Danson, and Jane Fonda have publicly opposed ageism, choosing to age naturally and let their gray hair show.

Emily highlights a significant issue: the increasing pressure young people face due to social media, leading some to resort to cosmetic procedures to enhance their looks. The drive to maintain a youthful appearance is immense, largely fueled by the ability of internet users to drastically modify their appearance online, often minimizing signs of aging.