Yahoo Movies Sarah Jessica Parker on ageing: “There should be no apologies”
Sarah Jessica Parker – actress, producer, icon – would like to challenge the conversation around women ageing. With female-oriented ageism entrenched in our society, the current dialogue directed at midlife women, like 57-year-old Parker, is one of praise for looking younger than their years. When this isn’t the case and they show natural signs of ageing, like wrinkles and greys, it’s commonly coined 'brave'.
“Society puts a huge emphasis on youth when it comes to beauty standards, but it’s not productive. There should be no apologies. I am not trying to cover anything up with my approach to skincare, fashion, or beauty,” Parker says.
She’s speaking out to highlight her partnership with cult French pharmacy brand RoC, with its new campaign that’s not about how skincare can visibly turn back time, but how it can help you embrace what's to come.
“The idea of focusing on the ‘joy of living’ versus ‘fear of ageing’ was especially aligned with the values I find important,” she says of the collaboration. “I find it so interesting that RoC is bringing together research and scientific experts to show the actual impact the act of being optimistic can have on our lives and our experiences of getting older.”
Indeed, the power of being an optimist is clinically proven: brain scientist say you can live longer if you cultivate a positive attitude.
“I’m fortunate that I am naturally optimistic – and that I am able to choose to confront each day with that mindset,” Parker says, “but that doesn’t mean I deny things that are personally painful or hard for others. I don’t want to make others feel like they must adopt my approach, because their life experiences may be different than mine – but I will say that, personally, I like being hopeful because I find it makes things bearable when they are at their worst.”
Parker adds that optimism is a tool she uses to harness inner strength. “Optimism is almost like a vitamin, or some type of battery, or something I use when I need to resurface. When things are difficult or complicated, it gives me the resilience I need. And in the good times, it pushes me to be creative, outrageous, and truly enjoy the time I get to spend just living.”
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