“I just don't wear necklaces anymore...”
I hear that a lot from women my age when I'm doing arts & crafts shows, and it makes me a little sad.
It isn’t because they’re not buying—I do well enough at shows, and I’ve met some wonderful people who are very kind and interested in what I’m doing. They tell me how beautiful my work is and marvel that my pieces are made of cut and melted glass. Many of them purchase jewelry for themselves or as gifts for friends, but inevitably, someone will say…
“I just don't wear necklaces anymore...”
And I think, “Why not?”
Now, I know… I’m a more mature woman. I understand what it’s like to no longer want to wear turtlenecks (some of you know what I’m talking about—and if you don’t, you will... lol). But I don’t think comfort is the reason. If it were, these women would ask for a longer chain. No, this is not a comfort issue. This is more than that... It’s often said with a sigh and a sort of tired wave of the hand.
Sometimes, as we women grow older, we feel like we’re fading into the woodwork. Life comes at you FAST. One minute, you're in your 20s or 30s, experiencing all kinds of new and exciting things—meeting new people, working toward goals, excited to see what’s around the next corner. You spend time on a career, a family, or both, as the world whirls around you.
Then one day, you're shopping for new clothes. You try on something that would have looked great on 30-year-old you… and it doesn’t quite look how you expected when you saw it on the hanger. You’ve changed. The mirror tells the story. The young girl in your head asks, “Who is that lady?”
That’s the moment when you have to choose your response.
Who are you?
Are you someone you don’t recognize? Someone who’s going to fade into the woodwork, shy away from fun styles, pass by those bright colors in favor of something more neutral so you can blend into the background?
I have felt that way. I’ve thought, “Let the young girls have all the fun with cute styles and bright colors. What do I have to offer?”
PLENTY.
It’s my opinion that women should NOT go into hiding once they reach a certain age. We need to REALLY look in that mirror and see past what reflects back at us at first glance. We need to see what’s truly there, from a different point of view.
Look past the wrinkles and see your laugh lines.
Look past the age spots and remember the days you spent in the sunshine with loved ones and in the beauty of nature.
Look past that dress that doesn’t fit quite the way you wish it would—there’s another style out there that will work just fine. You just have to find it, and when you do, BUY IT IN EVERY COLOR THEY HAVE.
I could go on and on, but most importantly...
Put on the necklace.
Put on the boldest, most colorful, most unique one you can find—one that makes people stop and say, “Wow! Where did you get that? I’ve never seen anything like it!”
Make the statement:
I am not fading into the woodwork.
I have value.
I have something to say.
I have life experience to share.
I have wisdom that someone needs to hear.
I have NOT given up on myself, and I STILL have goals and dreams.
And best of all... I’ve reached the age where I don’t care what anyone else thinks. I’ll wear whatever I like because I don’t have to worry about impressing anyone.
And then you say…
“I love to wear necklaces. I love to show people who I am, what I love, and how I still sparkle… I have a whole jewelry box full.”
That is what I want for you all. It doesn’t even have to be my necklaces. It just has to be one that lights you up and gives you your voice.
Show your sparkle! ✨