....what the hell is this????
Which joker decided to subscribe me to this magazine? Because it sure wasn't me! This was was how my after school shuffle went down:
After picking up the kids from school, I cart them over to the grocery store because I have to buy some supplies for dinner. Pulling into the driveway I notice that there's a bag peeking out of the mailbox. Ooh! What could it be!? Before I can check, I have to make two trips lugging various backpacks, computer bags, purse, groceries etc from the car and into the house. Then, lo and behold: yay! A new magazine. Hmmm...I've never heard of this one before, and I certainly didn't subscribe, but there's my name and address. Let's take a look. "MORE: for grown-up women with smarts, spirit, style." I guess that could be me. Oooh! Salma Hayek. She's pretty. "Why her forties are her favourite decade." Ha! "Look better with age" Hmmm. "Caring for aging parents". Okay... Let's look inside:
"Easy on the knees workout"
"Anti-aging beauty awards"
"Osteoporosis action plan"
WTF?
Yep, it's a magazine for old ladies mature women. Or supposedly for women over 40. I am not over 40. I'm not even close. Well, I'm kind of close, but I've still got a few years left. Here's the kicker though. I DIDN'T HATE IT! It's a decent mag. I appreciated the advertising not displaying grotesquely thin children to peddle their wares.[Did you know that there's such a thing as a purse with an illuminated interior!?] The articles are engaging, if not completely relevant to my situation. And frankly, I'm not sure it's all that relevant to most women in their 40s either. I have friends who have long passed that age threshold, but they still have young children. They, like me, are still reading parenting magazines, not wondering how to support adult children who have moved back home. We're still concentrating on getting them through grade school.
So, thanks, but no thanks. If this magazine was sent to me by a well-meaning friend, then I say: not yet, friend. Not yet. If it was sent by a misinformed marketing company, then I'm not surprised.
While I usually read articles online, and get most of my information there, I do like the shiny new feel of a magazine. When I do read hard copies [at the library!] I read Canadian Living, Canadian Family, Chatelaine, Today's Parent, the occasional Martha Stewart Living and various wedding magazines to keep up on trends for work.
How would you feel receiving this type of mag in the mail, unsolicited? Am I over-reacting [again]?
Well, you are not ready. And not 40. Donate the mag to the nearest mammogram clinic. I received this mag as a gift a couple of years ago -- was just past the 40 mark. LOVED it & continue to subscribe to MORE ever since. Always relevant to my life or one of the "un"-relevant articles will come to pass a year or so later & I feel a bit more prepared. The women & models in this mag never fail to affirm and inspire me. I even gifted it once, too. Decided not to do it again, though. Aging is too personal a journey. There are enough responsibilities, dictates and stereotypes out in the world -- let us grow up the way we want with our own timing.
ReplyDelete