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"Soaking up precious memories as a mom and partner, every second counts. And my body and face shows how much life I’ve lived!"
She added, "You don’t have to let the pressure of society's beauty standards affect what you think you need to ‘fix’ about your face and body."
Courtney told BuzzFeed that the negativity was disappointing, but she says she's so grateful for the kind people who showed up for her too. "My narrative really was NOT to tear other women down (those who have had ‘work’ done) but to encourage others to embrace their natural beauty," she said. "So it really is unfortunate that the comment section turned into a female war zone."
Candace told BuzzFeed, "Getting older means more life experiences behind you, which means more life lessons. For me, I’ve loved the personal growth, especially in the area of not giving so much weight to others' opinions and just doing ME. I laugh more the older I get. More joy, less drama."
She went on to add, "I am raising a daughter as a single mom, and I want to set an example for her and her friends by being someone who embraces her natural beauty and being confident in who she is in every aspect of life!"
She went on to share, "As I’ve gotten older, I'm much better at listening to myself. Even if something’s trendy and cute, if I try it and I don’t feel good in it, then it’s out. I've enjoyed exploring things I like and I'm interested in, versus all of the should and must-dos and things thrust upon me."
She also shared how her relationship with her body has changed for the better: "As I've gotten older, I appreciate myself and my body for the amazing things it does, instead of taking it for granted. Or worse, criticizing and finding fault with myself. This body has had seven kids, learned amazing things, cared about others, climbed mountains, seen amazing places all over the world. Hopefully, I've made a positive difference in it."
"I’m better with money and better at communicating and regulating my emotions. I make better decisions, and I treat myself kindly and with more grace than I did in my youth. I’ve also had all these years to get to know myself, so I trust my capabilities and my judgment."
She told BuzzFeed that as she's gotten older, it's been freeing to release the need to have life all figured out. "I used to obsess so much about every little thing that it hindered me actually being able to pay attention to the things that mattered," she said. "Lots of navel-gazing. Over the years, I’ve found purpose in things outside of myself and figured out what really matters to me. It’s enabled this grounding that I honestly couldn’t have imagined — confidence that definitely doesn’t come from myself — and the ability to sift through the muck, find the gold, and let the rest go. Freedom. It’s such a cool journey."
She continued, saying, "I’m 40 years old, and reaching middle age has me excited to chart the back half of my story, rather than longing for the beginning. I am inspired by those who have reinvented themselves in their 40s, 50s, and beyond because it takes courage to go against the grain when you have more to lose."
She continued, saying, "Recognizing that my outer and inner health is dependent on a holistic approach (mind, body, and spirit) has made managing my health peaceful and uncomplicated. Getting a little bit older has taught me to appreciate my life and love myself that much more; life’s too short for self-doubt!"
She went on to say, "I turned 30 last year, and I genuinely felt like I’d entered a new era. I reflected on the fact that I did not succumb to the consumeristic form of beauty that is so often falsely labeled as self-care in the US. I’ve grown to really appreciate the values I grew up with in India, where beauty is more deeply rooted with caring for yourself from the inside out and not entirely based on your physical appearance and masking the natural aging process."