A few years ago, in my early 40s, I started to notice that my frown lines were starting to make permanent wrinkles above the inside corner of my eyebrows. I did not want to go into my later years looking perpetually grouchy, and I am opposed to botox and injectable fillers. I also have an underbite, so my lower teeth protrude beyond my upper teeth, which causes my mouth to appear downturned even when my expression is neutral, and my smile is disorted as well. At the same time, I was experiencing other personal revelations as I shifted my attitude from a chronically depressed cynical pessimist, to a more even-keeled, hopeful realist. So my transformation technique involved attitude and physical expressive changes.
I started paying more attention to what was good in my life and the world around me, and began looking for the silver lining in negative situations. Practicing gratitude is an ongoing effort, but like all habitual changes, it gets easier with time. I also chose to distance myself from the people and situations that do stress me out or make me unhappy – mostly through emotional detachment and learning to let other people own their issues, instead of taking them personally. I’ve focused on finding like-minded people and I laugh more now than I ever have in my lifetime.
Physically, I have to put in a mindful effort to make a more alert and interested expression. Around this same time is when camera phones and social networks were becoming popular, so photos were being taken regularly – and I am not naturally photogenic. So I did spend some time in the mirror and with my own camera, learning how to strike a flattering but not exaggerated pose and facial expression. It feels silly and unnatural, but like all behavior changes, it becomes more comfortable over time. I started consciously working on my posture about 20 years ago, and that has become second-nature now. Sometimes I have to correct myself, and if I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror I take note and make adjustments.
Lastly, I did invest in a pricey anti-wrinkle system and got some microdermabrasion treatments done back then, and now, those frown lines are only visible if I really look for them – I did catch them in the very early stages, so I had a good result. I’ve decided to accept that I am growing older and I will wrinkle, but I want the wrinkles to represent a life well lived; so I choose happiness and positivity.