As you get older, you really do start to feel just a touch too lazy to bother having a proper wash
This is one of those tales I hear quite often these days.
I dont usually argue about it, just retell it with a sigh and perhaps an arched eyebrow.
Truth be told, ageing does make absolutely everything more of a palaver. Dragging yourself out of bed in the morning, giving your teeth a fresh scrub, rustling up a normal breakfast (rather than a stale digestive and a cuppa), or battling the Mount Everest that is the laundry basket. We become gloriously idle at all these noble tasks. Diligence isnt exactly our strongest suit anymore.
But lets not get carried away. Society does have certain rules and expectations, inconvenient though they may be. You cant just skip washing, ignore your teeth, or let your face stew in yesterdays soup. You cant wander about in clothes that have become a health hazard. Why? Because we live among actual people, governed by the laws of England (and, yes, those laws include not smelling like last weeks onions).
Honestly, nobody expects your outfit to be fit for a fashion show. Clean is quite sufficient; just dont let your attire broadcast Ive not taken off this cardigan since last November. A whiff of sweat is definitely frowned upon, unless you work in a cheese shop.
As for the hair, it can absolutely go silvertheres nothing dignified about squandering your pension on hair dye when Sainsburys own-brand shampoo works just fine. So, shampoo away! Hair and face both. The older you get, the less you need to worry about makeup anyway; a simple clean face is all you need.
A smidge of hand lotion here, the absolute cheapest deodorant from Boots under the arms, a sprinkle of baking soda in your shoes for mysterious odours. In fact, if the body starts wafting something unmentionable, a dusting of baking soda can sort it out, almost like magicor at least like science.
If you look at it that way, the whole thing is rather straightforward. We relish our laziness and love to excuse our distinctly pungent fragrancesphysical and moralby blaming our age, our retiree status, or the paltry size of our state pension. But really, staying clean doesnt need to cost a fortune at all.
So, whatever age you are (and however many bus passes you own), its important to remain presentable and take care of yourself. Thats just my humble, slightly over-perfumed opinion.
