In a perfect world, we鈥檇 never get wrinkles, and I鈥檇 still have my flat stomach from secondary school. But life is a bad belle, which means we can鈥檛 escape the body changes that come with ageing.
These changes are inevitable, but that doesn鈥檛 mean we can鈥檛 prepare for it. I spoke to some 30+ women on some of the changes they鈥檝e noticed as they got older, and how they鈥檙e navigating it.
Diane*, 33
I think there are two phases to the body changes we experience as women: ageing and childbirth.
I started feeling self-conscious around 24 when I began putting on weight, then I got married at 25 and put on more 鈥渉appy鈥 weight. I had my first child when I was about to turn 28, and pregnancy and delivery took a toll on me. I only started to feel like myself three years after giving birth. It鈥檚 2023, and I just had my second child. So, I鈥檓 just going through the motions, wondering if it鈥檇 also take me another three years to feel like myself again.
Sometimes, it feels like the entire female body system is against the woman and her mind; hormonal imbalances, menstrual cycle and the like. Right now, I鈥檓 just going through it. The internet keeps bringing these ads about injections that suppress the appetite to help lose weight my way.
Since I don鈥檛 have liposuction money, it鈥檚 looking like a cheaper alternative.
Seun, 30
Maybe it鈥檚 because I just turned 30, but I haven鈥檛 really experienced any physical change. Mentally though, I feel more feminine. I was a very awkward young woman, but now I feel like I鈥檝e 鈥渂loomed鈥. I just feel womanly and more in control of my emotions. I don鈥檛 have to pander to anyone or hide. To be honest, I wish I had turned 30 sooner.
Eunice, 53
For me, it鈥檚 ageing and menopause, and it鈥檚 a struggle. Physically, I鈥檝e gained more weight that my several diets haven鈥檛 been able to shake. I鈥檝e also developed loose skin and arthritis. Mentally, I鈥檓 usually tired all the time and more emotional than before. I鈥檓 glad to be rid of periods, but the body keeps bringing more struggles each day. It鈥檚 like women don鈥檛 rest.
Moji, 31
I鈥檝e always been really slim with an iron-board-flat stomach. I even used to joke about wanting to add weight so people would respect my age. My body must have a sense of humour because my flat stomach began to disappear when I turned 27. I wasn鈥檛 ready at all. I鈥檒l admit I eat late-night snacks because I work late most days, but I鈥檝e been doing that forever. It just seems to be catching up with me now.
I鈥檝e had to be more conscious of how I eat. I鈥檓 also considering hitting the gym, but I鈥檓 mostly tired all the time now and never seem to be able to 鈥減sych鈥 myself into putting in the work. I鈥檓 not sure if I鈥檓 just lazy or it鈥檚 age.
Clara*, 31
I鈥檝e had sparse chin and chest hair since I entered puberty, but they鈥檝e grown more since I turned 27. I鈥檝e never been pregnant, but some weight gain a couple of years ago means I have some stretch marks on my breasts. For a while, I didn鈥檛 recognise who was staring back at me in the mirror and would wear clothes that stopped at my neck, but I鈥檝e accepted that things can鈥檛 stay the same.
So, I鈥檓 trying to love my body afresh. I鈥檓 choosing my clothes now with the intention of flattering my new body and feeling confident when I step out of the house.
*Some names have been changed for the sake of anonymity.
You know what won’t change, though? Our love for food. We’re celebrating the Nigerian culture of meat and grill at Burning Ram on November 11. while they’re still available.
NEXT READ: Men Want to Have Sex With Me but Avoid Me in Public
