Aging is probably one of the most profoundly fair things that happens to all of us. We all get there, no matter what. Yet, why does it often feel so overwhelmingly painful? Especially if you’re a woman.

Aging wasn’t easy for my mother. I vividly remember her stressing about turning not just 40, but every age leading up to it—36, 37, 38, you name it. Even now, at 60, she hasn’t found peace with the process of growing older. This was particularly tough in the 90s, the era of supermodels, where the pursuit of youth was relentless.

 Eventually, I realized that my mother’s experience wasn’t unique. Many women fear the aging process and the changes it brings. When I was turning 20, I personally felt “old” because I noticed my crows feet area showing more than those of my girlfriends, making me feel like I was 40.

I always thought I’d share my mother’s fear of losing youth. But surprisingly, I don’t. And all of YOU are a significant reason why. Working with women over the years, I’ve managed to conquer my own fears of aging in ways I can’t begin to describe. As a boudoir photographer, I’ve been privileged to witness women reclaim their confidence and embrace their beauty at every stage of life. I’ve learned that beauty goes beyond the crows-feet around your eyes or your waistline’s size. Witnessing the beauty and strength of women of all ages helped me confront my anxieties about aging. It became clear to me that beauty transcends physical appearance; it’s a reflection of one’s inner self and experiences. Instead of fearing the passage of time, I’ve learned to treasure every single day.

 Time only moves in one direction—forward. This realization has been profound on my journey of self-acceptance. You may feel upset turning 30, 40, or 50 today, but ten years from now, you’ll likely think it wasn’t so bad, perhaps even wishing to go back in time. By maintaining perspective and cherishing the present, we can appreciate each passing year’s value.

So, always keep a perspective and enjoy your life, today. Embrace those wrinkles, resist the urge to use too many filters or ask photographers to over-edit your photos. Ten years from now, you might wonder how you actually looked but may find zero recollections in your photo library.

 My journey, shaped by the experiences of all the incredible women I’ve met as a photographer, has taught me that age should never be a barrier to loving oneself, every single day and year. So, let’s do just that.