Sarah, this was incredibly moving, brave, and important, and should get wide distribution. I hope you submit it for greater exposure. Thank you! Super awesome, I’m filled with respect, and, you’re beautiful, truly.
Thank you for sharing this, Sarah. I wish I could send it to my mom to read. All of the women on my maternal side are thin and small breasted, and growing up it didn't make sense to me why my mother was so bosomy. When I asked, she told me that it was natural; simultaneously, I received countless criticisms from her about my lack of volume. It wasn't until years later that I learned the truth about her augmentation from a family member and suddenly the hurtful comments I received finally made sense: they had simply been projections from her own insecurities. I'm saddened to think about how much time has been spent trying to outwit aging and/or one's own genetics.
I admire your openness in sharing this, and demonstrating that aging naturally is beautiful!
It’s funny how something you start doing to feel better about yourself, and it actually does make you feel better at first, turns into something that erodes self confidence. For me it was coloring my gray hair. It got to the point that I only felt good about my hair for the one week after coloring it, then the grays would reappear and I would start hating my hair. One day I just decided to stop and it was one of the best things I’ve ever done. I LOVE my hair every day! And some people might think I look old but they probably thought I looked old before too. Thanks for your article. My wish is for everyone to have self acceptance and treat themselves with kindness.
Thank you for sharing this. As someone who has struggled with body image for my whole life I am finally getting comfortable with what I look like, and your piece helps nudge that along. It feels freeing. Wish it hadn’t taken 59 years but at least it’s happening! Also, loved the poem 😊Here’s to a brave New Year!
Hi Sarah! I love so much of your writing, and it's hard at times to stay engaged with it when I read posts that are unnecessarily judgmental of other people's choices and identities. I absolutely love what you shared here about your own experience. And: the judgment of Simone Biles' choice about her own body feels super icky to me. Maybe for you making the choice to get implants is sad -- and maybe for her it isn't. And maybe both perspectives are beautiful and worthy of respect. Thanks for considering this feedback.
Sorry but I honestly think that given her extreme influence over young girls who look up to her, her extensive cosmetic surgery is poor role modeling for other aspiring gymnasts and young athletes.
Leah and Megan, I encourage you to read this Substack essay, "The Anti-Cosmetic Surgery Essay Every Woman Should Read," https://fatherkarine.substack.com/p/the-anti-cosmetic-surgery-essay-every. It's overly long but very thought-provoking. It looks at the roots and consequences of the "beauty-industrial complex"—the system that makes women believe they're inferior and deficient, and primes them to spend huge sums of money—and the complete transformation of the faces of Emma Stone, Miley Cyrus, and other celebrities. They essay makes a strong case for why it's OK—necessary, even—for women to speak out about the deeply troubling normalization of cosmetic surgery, especially when it's celebrity role models.
I appreciate this because I'm 36 and finished breastfeeding and even though I know that women's bodies are amazing at every stage of life, signs of age and use are signs of life lived etc, and theoretically one day I will get to the point where the general male gaze (beyond my loving and appreciative husband) feels not just irrelevant to me but actually just silly....I'm just not at that stage of acceptance yet. And the other points you mentioned about this stage of life, taking care of young kids, trying to maintain a career while doing full time childcare, it's psychologically very difficult to feel a sense of self worth beyond just being drained by caretaking. I wouldn't say I want surgery but in some way I think I still feel like it's an option for me if I got super down in the dumps about my body. But this is a bit of a wake up call that the real work is finding identity and worth beyond shallow and senseless mainstream beauty standards.
Great story, Sarah! Last year, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and made the very difficult decision to have a bilateral mastectomy. I opted to stay flat, and I have no regrets! It does take some getting used to, though. I find that I am self-conscious without boobs, but I am feeling more confident as time goes on. Thank you for sharing!
Oh my gosh, Kelly, thank you for reading—it means so much to me, as I always admired you as a runner (whom I chased but couldn't catch in that 2013 LS50!)—and I didn't realize you'd been through that. Bravo to you! I did find an online store for flat and post-mastectomy women, which sells flat cami-style bras with little pockets into which you can insert padding ranging from a thin pad to a larger form, in case you're interested and don't know about it: https://www.bustedtank.com.
My mom was very pretty. I think in some respects it was her "power". She could be very critical about appearances and I think it was difficult for her to cope with the changes of aging. And being a life long smoker until the last few years didn't help of course. I remember in the last fall she was here, sitting in a park and meeting some of her dog walking friends. One said you look just like your mom and I said thank you. And there was this look on her face-- not surprise, but something akin to it. A definite "reaction". She saw herself as an old hag. I didn't. It's a moment I'll never forget and I still can't quite describe what her reaction was.. So much wasted energy through my life worrying about what I looked like. And so hard to escape in our culture. This was a wonderful piece, Sarah. I'm glad you're at peace with your decision. Thanks for sharing.
Absolutely awesome way to start a new year reading this as my first substack of 2026- thank you for sharing and for your vulnerability!
I recently watched a home video of me, and even as a pretty young kid, in the video I told my mom not to film me because my hair looked bad. It broke my heart a little. All this stuff starts so young.
Being honest about this in your writing and encouraging people to accept themselves as they are is the antidote needed, thank you for your writing 🩵 I’ll be aging naturally with you, too!
Wow, thank you for sharing your story, Sarah! And I’m so glad you’re feeling lighter and sleeping better! This is such a great piece. I shared it with my daughter (age 28) — I’m glad to learn that despite all the indications that cosmetic surgery is becoming almost a default reaction that the pendulum may be swinging back. Cheers to flat chests 🎉
What a terrific piece of writing, Sarah! I'm grateful to you for sharing your story and reminding me on the first day of the new year that I should try to treat my aging body with a bit more kindness and acceptance.
Thanks for sharing your story and for encouraging others to accept themselves as they are, despite what culture and advertisers try to sell us. Keep it up!
I don't understand a lot of the current trend for plastic surgery, especially among young women (and men). It looks so obvious to me that I can't see it as an improvement. I've never had "proper boobage", but padded bras help when needed (to make certain clothes look better etc). As I get older I don't bother with them so much. All the women I know with large natural breasts have found them difficult personally and in terms of the unwanted attention they can bring.
Sarah, this was incredibly moving, brave, and important, and should get wide distribution. I hope you submit it for greater exposure. Thank you! Super awesome, I’m filled with respect, and, you’re beautiful, truly.
Haha thank you Buzz!
I also really liked your Facebook life update.
wow, thank you!
+1 "submit it". Strong story and writing (and great title)!
Haha thank you Buzz!
I also really liked your Facebook life update.
Thank you for sharing this, Sarah. I wish I could send it to my mom to read. All of the women on my maternal side are thin and small breasted, and growing up it didn't make sense to me why my mother was so bosomy. When I asked, she told me that it was natural; simultaneously, I received countless criticisms from her about my lack of volume. It wasn't until years later that I learned the truth about her augmentation from a family member and suddenly the hurtful comments I received finally made sense: they had simply been projections from her own insecurities. I'm saddened to think about how much time has been spent trying to outwit aging and/or one's own genetics.
I admire your openness in sharing this, and demonstrating that aging naturally is beautiful!
Whoa, Jade, that's a major head trip on your mom's part! I'm so impressed by you as a runner, thinker, reader, and writer, and you're beautiful!
It’s funny how something you start doing to feel better about yourself, and it actually does make you feel better at first, turns into something that erodes self confidence. For me it was coloring my gray hair. It got to the point that I only felt good about my hair for the one week after coloring it, then the grays would reappear and I would start hating my hair. One day I just decided to stop and it was one of the best things I’ve ever done. I LOVE my hair every day! And some people might think I look old but they probably thought I looked old before too. Thanks for your article. My wish is for everyone to have self acceptance and treat themselves with kindness.
Thank you for sharing this. As someone who has struggled with body image for my whole life I am finally getting comfortable with what I look like, and your piece helps nudge that along. It feels freeing. Wish it hadn’t taken 59 years but at least it’s happening! Also, loved the poem 😊Here’s to a brave New Year!
Hi Sarah! I love so much of your writing, and it's hard at times to stay engaged with it when I read posts that are unnecessarily judgmental of other people's choices and identities. I absolutely love what you shared here about your own experience. And: the judgment of Simone Biles' choice about her own body feels super icky to me. Maybe for you making the choice to get implants is sad -- and maybe for her it isn't. And maybe both perspectives are beautiful and worthy of respect. Thanks for considering this feedback.
Best,
Megan
Sorry but I honestly think that given her extreme influence over young girls who look up to her, her extensive cosmetic surgery is poor role modeling for other aspiring gymnasts and young athletes.
I do hope you give this feedback more reflection. Take care!
Leah and Megan, I encourage you to read this Substack essay, "The Anti-Cosmetic Surgery Essay Every Woman Should Read," https://fatherkarine.substack.com/p/the-anti-cosmetic-surgery-essay-every. It's overly long but very thought-provoking. It looks at the roots and consequences of the "beauty-industrial complex"—the system that makes women believe they're inferior and deficient, and primes them to spend huge sums of money—and the complete transformation of the faces of Emma Stone, Miley Cyrus, and other celebrities. They essay makes a strong case for why it's OK—necessary, even—for women to speak out about the deeply troubling normalization of cosmetic surgery, especially when it's celebrity role models.
Hi Sarah, I think you're missing the point of the feedback. I hope you continue to take the time to think about it and digest it.
Best,
Megan
I appreciate this because I'm 36 and finished breastfeeding and even though I know that women's bodies are amazing at every stage of life, signs of age and use are signs of life lived etc, and theoretically one day I will get to the point where the general male gaze (beyond my loving and appreciative husband) feels not just irrelevant to me but actually just silly....I'm just not at that stage of acceptance yet. And the other points you mentioned about this stage of life, taking care of young kids, trying to maintain a career while doing full time childcare, it's psychologically very difficult to feel a sense of self worth beyond just being drained by caretaking. I wouldn't say I want surgery but in some way I think I still feel like it's an option for me if I got super down in the dumps about my body. But this is a bit of a wake up call that the real work is finding identity and worth beyond shallow and senseless mainstream beauty standards.
I feel for you. Thanks for reading and for sharing that.
Great story, Sarah! Last year, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and made the very difficult decision to have a bilateral mastectomy. I opted to stay flat, and I have no regrets! It does take some getting used to, though. I find that I am self-conscious without boobs, but I am feeling more confident as time goes on. Thank you for sharing!
Oh my gosh, Kelly, thank you for reading—it means so much to me, as I always admired you as a runner (whom I chased but couldn't catch in that 2013 LS50!)—and I didn't realize you'd been through that. Bravo to you! I did find an online store for flat and post-mastectomy women, which sells flat cami-style bras with little pockets into which you can insert padding ranging from a thin pad to a larger form, in case you're interested and don't know about it: https://www.bustedtank.com.
Happy new year and best wishes to you.
My mom was very pretty. I think in some respects it was her "power". She could be very critical about appearances and I think it was difficult for her to cope with the changes of aging. And being a life long smoker until the last few years didn't help of course. I remember in the last fall she was here, sitting in a park and meeting some of her dog walking friends. One said you look just like your mom and I said thank you. And there was this look on her face-- not surprise, but something akin to it. A definite "reaction". She saw herself as an old hag. I didn't. It's a moment I'll never forget and I still can't quite describe what her reaction was.. So much wasted energy through my life worrying about what I looked like. And so hard to escape in our culture. This was a wonderful piece, Sarah. I'm glad you're at peace with your decision. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Karen, I really appreciate that.
Absolutely awesome way to start a new year reading this as my first substack of 2026- thank you for sharing and for your vulnerability!
I recently watched a home video of me, and even as a pretty young kid, in the video I told my mom not to film me because my hair looked bad. It broke my heart a little. All this stuff starts so young.
Being honest about this in your writing and encouraging people to accept themselves as they are is the antidote needed, thank you for your writing 🩵 I’ll be aging naturally with you, too!
Right on! happy new year to you
Wow, thank you for sharing your story, Sarah! And I’m so glad you’re feeling lighter and sleeping better! This is such a great piece. I shared it with my daughter (age 28) — I’m glad to learn that despite all the indications that cosmetic surgery is becoming almost a default reaction that the pendulum may be swinging back. Cheers to flat chests 🎉
Terrific share and story Sarah, thank you for inspiring with your openness! Wishing you a great 2026!
What a terrific piece of writing, Sarah! I'm grateful to you for sharing your story and reminding me on the first day of the new year that I should try to treat my aging body with a bit more kindness and acceptance.
Thank you so much, that means a lot.
Thanks for sharing your story and for encouraging others to accept themselves as they are, despite what culture and advertisers try to sell us. Keep it up!
I first read about you on the Guardian and then here. you have no idea how much I needed to hear what you said. So thank you!
Thank you, that means so much. Best wishes to you!
An incredible and brave piece of writing, thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for reading! It means a lot to me that men are reading this also.
Very interesting article, thank you Sarah.
I don't understand a lot of the current trend for plastic surgery, especially among young women (and men). It looks so obvious to me that I can't see it as an improvement. I've never had "proper boobage", but padded bras help when needed (to make certain clothes look better etc). As I get older I don't bother with them so much. All the women I know with large natural breasts have found them difficult personally and in terms of the unwanted attention they can bring.