35 Comments
Apr 21, 2023·edited Apr 21, 2023Liked by Valerie Monroe

-What a touching, sensible essay, Val. I have been consistently reflecting on the meaning of "winning" in my life. In the end, I deeply feel it doesn't come in big waves, but instead, in small steps, little by little. Winning is nothing more than the improvement of resilience. For me, to win is to have patience, is to cultivate hope, is to trust time, is to practice love.

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Ah yes. Valerie Monroe being sensible. It's what I admire you for. The beauty business is all about making money, lots of it, by trading on womens fears. It's all overpriced. More or less shameless. And you've seen through it. Keep it up, my friend.

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So grateful that I found you and HNTFUYF, Val. In a culture where ageism somehow remains not only commonplace but collectively "acceptable" (even though ALL of us are headed in the same direction lol), your voice and newsletter are so needed and such a breath of fresh air. Thank you!

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Apr 21, 2023Liked by Valerie Monroe

Someone said to me the other day that feelings are thoughts not yet put into words. Well, today I read my feelings, molded into writing by Valerie. A really nice and enlightning read.

Have a happy weekend Valerie 🌷

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Found you earlier this week and already your content is making me feel seen, appreciated, applauded and recognized. As my prematurely grey mom would have said, blessings on your head.

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Apr 21, 2023Liked by Valerie Monroe

That’s it, I’ve upgraded. Your writing leaves me feeling confident and at peace with aging, no small feat as I walk the tight rope between fighting and embracing. I like it here. Thanks Val.

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I love seeing your origin post -- I’ve been following for months and you’re speaking to me (us!) with the exact pragmatism and enthusiasm needed to be at peace with beauty and ourselves.

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Apr 21, 2023Liked by Valerie Monroe

Thank you Val. I just leased a bright orange car - calling it my midlife crisis but also at 53, i realized I picked it to say I am here and I won’t be ignored! The biggest takeaway I get from your sub stack is despite all the wonderful beauty tips is LOVE Thyself and for that I am grateful.

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Excellent, Val, as always!

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Apr 24, 2023·edited Apr 24, 2023Liked by Valerie Monroe

I can't remember if I already commented on this, but I don't really care if I did, because I love, love, love, this piece and I just re-read it for the second time this week, and I know I read it the first time around! xx

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Apr 21, 2023Liked by Valerie Monroe

Dear Val, so wonderful and comforting to hear your voice (which I always hear in my head anyway when I read your posts). The sound and warmth of your voice enhance the feeling of being supported and understood one gets while taking in the HNTFUYF message. No wonder that room exploded in applause when you introduced them to the art of practicing “kinder self-regard.” I venture to say the results of that practice last longer than a Botox injection.

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lol that doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement but ummmm point taken!

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have not listened to this yet (and perhaps will later in the bathtub to assuage the aches and pains of a 66 yr. old who has done nothing of any REAL import lately but some camping and canoeing on Gulf getting skunked by red fish and living in the moment, confusing as that shit is) so may cue it up there with multi-tasked intent of seeing whether the Bernie Sanders figurine my buddy cleverly left me in fridge prior to his escape actually FLOATS, even as im CERTAIN it can say "TOALLY OUTRAGEOUS!" tho without even a pull cord or built-in vocal capability) but just reading the "Dawn of HNTFUYF" preamble has been a delight and here i will add all your stuff shines thru the fog of politess like a humor laser: sophisticated un-elitist smarts and i'd pay for it gladly if not already overindulged and ADHD'd to substack max, not only for taking up parking space here but for its depth of reveal into a certain female mind-set, ok probably UNIVERSAL mind set....maybe it will help going forward with my understanding of that gender which unabashedly remains a lifelong joyous if uhhh tricky obsession....no need for response no doubt you are jetlagged

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May 8, 2023Liked by Valerie Monroe

This may be your best yet (and I know I’m reading out of order due to travel and the madness of my everyday life). Your honesty is a gift to us and I’ll say it again—thank you for knowing all the things so we can make better decisions.

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Apr 22, 2023Liked by Valerie Monroe

Thank you.

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Powerful, Val. Thank you.

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