Roi Barnard sees it all the time: mature adults sporting the hairstyles of their youth. “We can almost pick the decade some people stopped on,” says the hairstylist and Hockessin resident.
Consider the 80-something woman with black hair who came to him for advice, recalls Barnard, who suggested a soft brown color would be more complementary. The woman remained a client until she died in her late 90s.
The story proves that you don’t need to let yourself go to grow with the grain. The pro-aging movement espouses being the best you can be at any age rather than fighting to look younger, a hallmark of Madison Avenue’s anti-aging campaigns. “There is something so special and beautiful about the entire life journey,” says Barnard, a bon vivant in his 80s.
The movement gained traction during COVID-19 when women let their roots grow. “Some, honestly, do look amazing and wanted to embrace that moving forward,” says Emon Zaki of Sherif Zaki Salon & The Oasis Spa in Greenville.
But pro-age is about more than appearance; it’s also a mental state of mind. Here’s how to cultivate it.
Spot Opportunities
Forget the stereotype of an older adult. Patti Scallan, who could pass for someone in her 50s, runs a health-oriented business at age 71. Wilmington resident and insurance industry expert Ginger Weiss encourages friends to keep working if they love what they do, and Barnard continues to style hair.
Or start anew. For instance, Rita Landgraf began a consultancy business after serving as Delaware’s secretary of Health and Social Services and teaching at the University of Delaware. “For me, purpose is so important,” says the 66-year-old. “I can reinvent myself.”
Practice Self-Care
Weiss doesn’t mind getting older, but she wants to age well, a goal that requires effort. “Eat healthy foods, manage stress and exercise,” says Scallan, who gets eight hours of sleep a night. She also stays hydrated and takes vitamins.
Seek help if you’re unhappy physically or mentally. “Be the best that you can be and treat yourself to things like pedicures, manicures and massages,” Barnard says.
Stay Active
Weiss tries to do something physical each day. John Gillespie of Empowered Wellness Studio in Greenville would approve. His programs use movement to help clients solidify the connection between the brain and body to reduce the risk of falls and stress.
Being active also includes volunteering, mentoring and consulting, Weiss adds. In other words, put your life experience to work. Barnard, for instance, wrote the autobiography Mister, Are You a Lady?, which details growing up in the conservative South.
Embrace the Journey
Barnard says there is beauty in life from start to finish, so look ahead rather than into the past. “Calm down,” he says. “You are alive, you are worthy.”
And there’s more adventure ahead. For instance, Scallan and her husband moved to Milton several years ago on a whim, and friends followed in their footsteps. In short, life isn’t over until it’s over.
Related: The Science Behind Aging Is a Complex Study in Delaware
