September 11, 2025 • 5 mins
In the episode of the podcast "Plants, Flowers, Oils, and Whimsy" hosted by Carrie Scharf, the concept of anti-aging is critically examined and reframed as pro-aging. Exploring societal attitudes to aging, Carrie illustrates how these messages encouraging us to prevent or erase signs of aging are pervasive in our culture. She advocates for a pro-aging philosophy, likening the aging process to the growth of a tree, with wisdom, radiance, and authenticity accruing through our life experiences. The podcast episode also discusses the beauty of natural aging and the liberation in embracing it, with tie-ins to scripture. Concluding with a self-reflective exercise for listeners, this episode ultimately encourages a celebration of aging as an experienced, enriching journey.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of our podcast Plants, Flowers,
Oils and Whimsy. I'm Carrie Sharf, your guide on this journey. Today,
we're tackling a big one, the concept of anti aging.
We'll discuss why we need to rethink this narrative and
consider a pro aging philosophy. We'll end with a simple
practice to integrate this new perspective into your life. Let's
(00:25):
start with the term anti aging. Anti Aging messages are
everywhere in our media, on product labels, in the ads,
scrolling through our social feeds. It's like this underlying hum
that starts low in our twenties and gets louder with
every passing year, so much so that one day you
find yourself seriously considering botox, even if you're only thirty.
(00:47):
I know because I've been there. I remember the first
time someone suggested it to me, almost casually, as if
it were just another thing on a checklist. That moment
felt like a nagging little voice pointing out everything wrong
with my face, with getting older. And let's be honest,
it doesn't make us feel great, does it. It's like
we're set up to fail because aging, well, it's something
(01:08):
we have no control over. But what if we flip
the script. If anti aging makes us feel like we're
failing every day, maybe it's time for a different story.
Pro Aging what a refreshing term, right. Instead of seeing
aging as a decline, let's view it as a deepening.
Think of it like a tree. As it grows, its
roots go deeper, its branches stretch higher, and its presence
(01:32):
becomes more steadfast. Aging can be similar a deeper, richer
version of ourselves. When you think about it, growth doesn't
stop just because we hit a certain age. We gain wisdom, radiance,
and authenticity as we collect experiences over the years. These
aren't hollow words, they're real gifts. The laughter lines, the
(01:53):
little marks and scars, they tell stories about who we are.
And what about natural beauty. It's not all about flawless skin.
There's a certain charm in the lines formed by countless
smiles or the frown marks from deep contemplation. This beauty
comes from letting go, from living fully. It's raw, it's real,
and it's something we should embrace. Less is more, not
(02:16):
just for our skin, but for our spirits too. We
don't need layers of products or facades to hide behind.
Simplifying our routines can be liberating. It helps us to
focus on what truly matters, both outwardly and inwardly. Interestingly,
this idea of pro aging isn't new. It has roots
in scripture, where age is often associated with wisdom and honor.
(02:39):
Just think about it. Embracing the pro aging philosophy encourages
us to respect the natural order of things, and in
doing so we find more peace and contentment. Let's take
a moment to look at a piece of scripture that
beautifully encapsulates this pro aging philosophy. Proverbs sixteen thirty one
says gray hair is a crown of glory. It is
(02:59):
gain in a righteous life. What an uplifting way to
view aging. Right This passage is telling us that with
age comes a kind of honor and wisdom that can
only be earned through living a righteous life. So instead
of seeing our gray hairs or wrinkles as flaws that
need fixing, let's see them as badges of honor. Each
gray strand and each line is a testament to the
(03:20):
life we've lived, the experiences we've had, and the wisdom
we've gained. Imagine a culture that treats every sign of
aging not as something to combat, but as something to celebrate.
It changes the narrative completely. Aging becomes not something to fear,
but something to embrace. Each mark and gray hair becomes
a part of our identity, a story that showcases our
(03:42):
life journey. Our lines and grays are chapters in the
book of Us, filled with lessons learned and memories made. Now,
how can we live this philosophy day to day? That's
what we'll explore next. Stay tuned as we dive into
some practical tips for embracing and celebrating our natural beauty
every single day. Let's pause for a gentle practice this week.
(04:03):
If you have a journal, or even just a piece
of paper handy, pull it out. I want you to
write down this question. What part of myself has become
more radiant with time? Take a moment to reflect. Is
it your patience? Perhaps maybe your creativity has flourished over
the years, or your smile has become more genuine? Think
about it. Capturing these thoughts not only helps us to
(04:25):
appreciate our own growth, but also aligns beautifully with the
pro aging philosophy we've been discussing today. If you enjoyed
this little exercise and want more like it. Consider joining
my newsletter where I share more practices and rituals. You
can find the link to sign up in the show notes.
To recap today, we challenge the concept of anti aging
and embrace the beauty of pro aging. We explored how
(04:47):
aging can be seen as a deepening and enriching experience
like the growth of a tree, and how our natural
beauty only becomes more authentic with time. We even looked
at how scripture supports this beautiful philosophy. Looking ahead, we'll
be delving into the beauty that comes with experience, exploring
herbal rituals, and diving into higgeye practices that nurture our
well being. So much good stuff is on the horizon.
(05:10):
I'd love for you to take a moment to reflect
on what we've discussed today. How can you start embracing
proaging in your life? And if you found today's conversation valuable,
please share this podcast with someone who might need to
hear it. Until next time, may you glow with the
radiance of time. This is Carrie Sharf signing off from Plants, Flowers,
Oils and Whimsy. Stay radiant, everyone,
Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of our podcast Plants, Flowers,
Oils and Whimsy. I'm Carrie Sharf, your guide on this journey. Today,
we're tackling a big one, the concept of anti aging.
We'll discuss why we need to rethink this narrative and
consider a pro aging philosophy. We'll end with a simple
practice to integrate this new perspective into your life. Let's
(00:25):
start with the term anti aging. Anti Aging messages are
everywhere in our media, on product labels, in the ads,
scrolling through our social feeds. It's like this underlying hum
that starts low in our twenties and gets louder with
every passing year, so much so that one day you
find yourself seriously considering botox, even if you're only thirty.
(00:47):
I know because I've been there. I remember the first
time someone suggested it to me, almost casually, as if
it were just another thing on a checklist. That moment
felt like a nagging little voice pointing out everything wrong
with my face, with getting older. And let's be honest,
it doesn't make us feel great, does it. It's like
we're set up to fail because aging, well, it's something
(01:08):
we have no control over. But what if we flip
the script. If anti aging makes us feel like we're
failing every day, maybe it's time for a different story.
Pro Aging what a refreshing term, right. Instead of seeing
aging as a decline, let's view it as a deepening.
Think of it like a tree. As it grows, its
roots go deeper, its branches stretch higher, and its presence
(01:32):
becomes more steadfast. Aging can be similar a deeper, richer
version of ourselves. When you think about it, growth doesn't
stop just because we hit a certain age. We gain wisdom, radiance,
and authenticity as we collect experiences over the years. These
aren't hollow words, they're real gifts. The laughter lines, the
(01:53):
little marks and scars, they tell stories about who we are.
And what about natural beauty. It's not all about flawless skin.
There's a certain charm in the lines formed by countless
smiles or the frown marks from deep contemplation. This beauty
comes from letting go, from living fully. It's raw, it's real,
and it's something we should embrace. Less is more, not
(02:16):
just for our skin, but for our spirits too. We
don't need layers of products or facades to hide behind.
Simplifying our routines can be liberating. It helps us to
focus on what truly matters, both outwardly and inwardly. Interestingly,
this idea of pro aging isn't new. It has roots
in scripture, where age is often associated with wisdom and honor.
(02:39):
Just think about it. Embracing the pro aging philosophy encourages
us to respect the natural order of things, and in
doing so we find more peace and contentment. Let's take
a moment to look at a piece of scripture that
beautifully encapsulates this pro aging philosophy. Proverbs sixteen thirty one
says gray hair is a crown of glory. It is
(02:59):
gain in a righteous life. What an uplifting way to
view aging. Right This passage is telling us that with
age comes a kind of honor and wisdom that can
only be earned through living a righteous life. So instead
of seeing our gray hairs or wrinkles as flaws that
need fixing, let's see them as badges of honor. Each
gray strand and each line is a testament to the
(03:20):
life we've lived, the experiences we've had, and the wisdom
we've gained. Imagine a culture that treats every sign of
aging not as something to combat, but as something to celebrate.
It changes the narrative completely. Aging becomes not something to fear,
but something to embrace. Each mark and gray hair becomes
a part of our identity, a story that showcases our
(03:42):
life journey. Our lines and grays are chapters in the
book of Us, filled with lessons learned and memories made. Now,
how can we live this philosophy day to day? That's
what we'll explore next. Stay tuned as we dive into
some practical tips for embracing and celebrating our natural beauty
every single day. Let's pause for a gentle practice this week.
(04:03):
If you have a journal, or even just a piece
of paper handy, pull it out. I want you to
write down this question. What part of myself has become
more radiant with time? Take a moment to reflect. Is
it your patience? Perhaps maybe your creativity has flourished over
the years, or your smile has become more genuine? Think
about it. Capturing these thoughts not only helps us to
(04:25):
appreciate our own growth, but also aligns beautifully with the
pro aging philosophy we've been discussing today. If you enjoyed
this little exercise and want more like it. Consider joining
my newsletter where I share more practices and rituals. You
can find the link to sign up in the show notes.
To recap today, we challenge the concept of anti aging
and embrace the beauty of pro aging. We explored how
(04:47):
aging can be seen as a deepening and enriching experience
like the growth of a tree, and how our natural
beauty only becomes more authentic with time. We even looked
at how scripture supports this beautiful philosophy. Looking ahead, we'll
be delving into the beauty that comes with experience, exploring
herbal rituals, and diving into higgeye practices that nurture our
well being. So much good stuff is on the horizon.
(05:10):
I'd love for you to take a moment to reflect
on what we've discussed today. How can you start embracing
proaging in your life? And if you found today's conversation valuable,
please share this podcast with someone who might need to
hear it. Until next time, may you glow with the
radiance of time. This is Carrie Sharf signing off from Plants, Flowers,
Oils and Whimsy. Stay radiant, everyone,
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