In this week’s episode of the SuperAge podcast, we’re joined by Accidental Icon Lyn Slater, PhD. She is an author, former social worker, and professor. Along with her new book How to Be Old, Lyn discusses how her career in social work – dealing with trauma and violence – led her to seek creative outlets, which ultimately inspired her transition to fashion blogging. Lyn emphasizes her aim to explore fashion sociologically, as a tool for identity expression and subversion, rather than focusing on age. She then recounts her unexpected rise to fame via a Valentino ad, and how it shifted her identity from a person to a brand. As an influencer, she experienced a loss of creativity and control, leading to dissatisfaction. The pandemic provided a turning point, allowing her to reconnect with her passion for writing and reshape her engagement on social media. Lyn’s insights on idealized aging, its relation to privilege, and the need for more inclusive and realistic portrayals of aging are thought-provoking. She advocates for aging as a creative practice, using her experiences to encourage others to embrace risks and accept life’s unpredictable nature, regardless of age.
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Key Moments
“Being old is a transaction between a mind, a body, and a context.”
“I think part of why it worked was because I was an ordinary woman, and so a lot of ordinary people saw me and said, ‘Wow, if she could do that, maybe I could, too.’ And so, that was the time I was getting, like, 100,000 followers in a day. And my phone was going crazy.”
“The difference between when all those things happened to me during my 20s is that I probably had a toolbox, a toolbox that had a hammer and a nail; but, at 70, I have so many skills, so many experiences, so many assets that I can bring to the challenges of age.”
Get in Touch With Lyn
The ideas expressed here are solely the opinions of the author and are not researched or verified by AGEIST LLC, or anyone associated with AGEIST LLC. This material should not be construed as medical advice or recommendation, it is for informational use only. We encourage all readers to discuss with your qualified practitioners the relevance of the application of any of these ideas to your life. The recommendations contained herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. You should always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before starting any new treatment or stopping any treatment that has been prescribed for you by your physician or other qualified health provider. Please call your doctor or 911 immediately if you think you may have a medical or psychiatric emergency.
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