Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman

by Brooke Shields

It’s like I’m parenting myself—constantly checking in and asking, What do I like about this? What do I not like? What do I want to do just for me?

It’s gratifying and empowering, but it’s also awkward sometimes, the idea of putting my needs first and articulating them to others. It’s a skill I’m working on.

There came a day when I was simply tired of judging myself and feeling like I wasn’t enough. I was over the angst. I didn’t want to be mean to myself anymore, and I started to wonder where I got the idea that I needed to be perfect at everything anyway.