What a truly excellent and insightful, profound essay. Thank you 💖 I have experimented with Botox around my eyes and also filler and I have come to the conclusion that perhaps occasionally when I can afford it I will continue with the Botox around my eyes, but no more filler. This really resonates with me, because aging is very difficult for women in this country. I’ll be moving to the UK so I’m curious if I’ll notice any real differences. I think when I look in the mirror, and I don’t always recognize my face. It creates a certain cognitive dissonance within me. But as many others have said, I would much rather be healthy at this stage of my life. People tell me that I look younger for my age which I always appreciate, but at the same time it often feel like a backhanded compliment as well. It is an ongoing struggle to be sure, but celebrities like Helen Mirren for example, are inspiring to me. I think that the best we can hope for is health and happiness and trying, in whatever ways are available to us to define our own perceptions of attractiveness.