Happy birthday. No you're not crazy and you're not alone. I'll be 51 in July and can relate. it also doesn't help that we're innundated on socal media with pics of various over 50 celebs looking fabulous (and there's never any mention of the thousands of dollars spent on personal trainers, botox, fillers, make up, hair, clever lighting, photoshop, etc).

I have quite a bit of grey, I dye my own hair and continue to. Right now I'm in a blonde phase. I thought about letting it go, but my face is quite youthful looking, so the grey just, in my mind doesn't fit. Ego? Probably.

I've gained weight, but not enough to get a caftan just yet, although they do look comfy and I'ma ll about comfort these days.

I gave up makeup, except for special occasions. This is the face the world gets, like it or lump it.

No, 50 isn't the new 30. But 50 isn't the old 50 either. We say the first one to make ourselves feel better. But the latter, just think about it. I remember my mother at 50, she seemed positively ancient, with a rocking chair and a bun and everything.

In our youth obsessed culture, seeing ourselves get older is jarring. And it sure doesn't help with our insecuritites (which I have as well). But hey, given that i've lost 14 school friends int the last few years, being over 50 is better than you know...not.