Important Facts to Know as You Get Older: Lessons on Self-Love and Personal Growth

March 19, 2024|Natalie Harrison

Updated: November 2025

What decades of living teaches you about self-acceptance, the power of your words, and choosing yourself unconditionally

I spent most of my youth hating myself.

Trying to change myself to be what others wanted me to be. Contorting myself into shapes that didn't fit. Chasing approval from people who would never give it.

Everything I've been through, the good and the bad, has made me the person I am today.

And I'm genuinely grateful for every single experience.

Because now, on the other side of those years, I understand something fundamental: the most transformative thing you can do is stop fighting yourself and start loving yourself unconditionally.

At Kiri10, we believe that real beauty starts on the inside. And real inside beauty means self-love, self-acceptance, and the courage to be authentically you.

So let me share with you a few things I've learnt along the way. Things that could transform not just how you feel about yourself, but how you move through the world.

Lesson 1: You Can Choose to Love Yourself, No Strings Attached

The Radical Decision

Yes, I'm saying it plainly: you can make a conscious decision to simply love who you are.

Right now. Today. No conditions. No waiting for permission.

This isn't about:

Arrogance or narcissism

Toxic positivity or denying your struggles

Waiting until you're "perfect" or have achieved enough

Ignoring areas where you want to grow

This is about:

Accepting yourself exactly as you are in this moment

Recognising your inherent worth isn't dependent on achievements or approval

Choosing yourself as your most important relationship

Building a life from self-acceptance rather than self-rejection

Stop the Comparison Trap

One of the most destructive habits of the modern age is constant comparison.

Social media has weaponised it.

We're comparing our real, messy, unfiltered lives to everyone else's highlight reel.

The truth:

No one's life is as perfect as their Instagram

Everyone has struggles you don't see

Your only real comparison should be to who you were yesterday

Comparison steals joy and replaces it with inadequacy

What to do instead:

Curate your social media feed intentionally

Follow people who inspire, not people who make you feel less-than

Celebrate others' wins without dimming your own light

Remember: their success doesn't diminish yours

Embracing Your Quirks

Here's something I've learned: one person's "flaw" is another person's beauty.

I don't actually believe flaws exist. I believe only beauty exists, just expressed differently.

Your quirks are:

What make you memorable

What draw people who genuinely connect with you

What make you interesting and complex

What make you human

The parts of yourself you're most self-conscious about are often the parts people love most about you.

Stop trying to sand yourself smooth. Your edges are beautiful.

Lesson 2: Your Words Have More Power Than You Think, So Keep Them Clean

The Language You Use About Yourself Matters

This is profound, so lean in: your brain hears everything you say about yourself.

Every time you say:

"I'm so stupid"

"I'm too fat"

"I'm not good enough"

"I'm not smart enough"

"I'm a mess"

Your brain takes those words and runs with them.

It goes into overdrive and keeps them on repeat.

It starts believing them.

And over time, those beliefs shape your reality.

The Science of Self-Talk

This isn't just positive thinking nonsense.

Neuroscience confirms it: your self-talk directly influences your brain chemistry, your mood, and your behaviour.

Negative self-talk triggers:

Activation of stress-response systems

Cortisol release (the stress hormone), hello hair loss

Decreased cognitive function and creativity

Reduced emotional resilience

Positive self-talk creates:

Activation of calming neural pathways

Improved emotional regulation

Enhanced problem-solving abilities

Increased resilience and confidence

Your words literally rewire your brain over time.

Becoming Your Biggest Cheerleader

This requires practice and intentionality, but it's worth it.

Start here:

Notice when you speak negatively about yourself

Don't shame yourself for it (that's just more negativity)

Simply pause and change the sentence

Reframe it as something your best friend would say

Examples:

Instead of: "I'm so lazy"

Try: "I'm prioritising rest right now because I need it"

Instead of: "I'm too old to start that"

Try: "I have the wisdom and experience to approach this differently"

Instead of: "I'm never going to figure this out"

Try: "I'm learning something new and that takes time"

Make it a practice:

Catch yourself every time you're self-critical

Replace it with something kind and true

Say it out loud (your brain hears it differently that way)

Over weeks and months, this becomes your default

And your life transforms.

Lesson 3: You Don't Have to Fit a Mold or Be What Others Want You to Be

The Molds Society Creates

Society has a very specific idea of what a successful life looks like.

Marriage. Children. Career. House. 2.5 kids. Suburban life.

And if that's your dream, beautiful.

But if it's not, there's immense pressure to pretend it is.

I didn't fit the mold:

I'm not married

I don't have children

I knew very early on that kids weren't for me

But people would constantly try to convince me otherwise

Because having kids was right for them

The Beauty of Choice

What makes being human so beautiful is the capability to make choices.

Different choices. Unconventional choices. Choices that confuse people who chose differently.

And that's completely okay.

The shift we need:

From judging others' choices to embracing them

From assuming everyone wants the same things

From being empathetic even when our choices differ

Being kind to one another, even when we don't understand

Giving Yourself Permission

You don't need anyone's permission to live your life your way.

You get to decide:

Who you spend your time with

What career you pursue (or if you pursue one)

Whether you have children

Where you live

How you spend your money

What brings you joy

When you stop seeking approval and start seeking alignment with your own values, everything changes.

Lesson 4: No One Can Make You Feel Anything, That's All on You

The Truth About Your Emotions

You've probably heard someone say: "They make me so angry".

Well, I've got news for you: no one can make you feel a certain way.

You allow them to make you feel that way.

This is actually empowering:

Because if no one else can control your emotions, that means YOU can

You have agency over your own experience

You have the power to choose your response

How Emotions Actually Work

Your emotions aren't random. They follow a pattern.

The sequence:

Someone does something

You have a thought about what they did

That thought creates an emotion

That emotion drives your behaviour

So when you think someone "makes" you feel angry, what's really happening is:

Their action triggers a thought

That thought produces anger

You experience the anger as if they caused it

But actually, your interpretation caused it

Reclaiming Your Emotional Power

This one I find the hardest because I've done "people pleasing" for so many years.

Trying to manage other people's emotions

Absorbing their moods

Changing myself to prevent their reactions

The freedom comes when you realise:

You can't control anyone else's emotions

And they can't control yours

You can choose whether to let someone's actions affect your thoughts

If someone's actions don't affect your thoughts, they won't affect your emotions

This means you can:

Stay calm when others are chaotic

Set boundaries without guilt

Stop absorbing other people's energy

Choose peace even when others choose drama

This is the most liberating lesson of all.

How This Connects to True Beauty and Wellness

Beauty From the Inside Out

At Kiri10, we know that real beauty doesn't come from products alone.

Real beauty comes from self-love, self-acceptance, and the confidence that comes from knowing your worth.

When you truly love yourself:

You take care of yourself (including your hair and skin)

You set boundaries that protect your peace

You make choices aligned with your values

You radiate a confidence that no makeup can replicate

This is where products powered by Functional Keratin™ come in.

They're not just about hair health. They're part of your self-care ritual, your daily practice of choosing yourself.

When you look in the mirror and see strong, healthy hair, it reinforces the message: "I'm worth taking care of".

The Mind-Body-Soul Connection

These lessons aren't just about mindset. They affect your physical health.

Chronic stress (from people-pleasing, self-criticism, and comparison) creates:

Elevated cortisol

Inflammation throughout your body

Hair loss and poor skin health

Sleep disruption

Weakened immunity

Self-love and self-acceptance create:

Reduced stress hormones

Better immune function

Improved sleep

Healthier hair and skin

More resilience and joy

This is why we say at Kiri10: Strengthen the Bond between your mind, soul, and body.

They're not separate. They're interconnected.

Your Journey: The Invitation

This Isn't Destination, It's Practice

Self-love isn't something you achieve and then you're done.

It's a daily practice. A continuous choice.

Some days you'll nail it. Some days you'll slip back into old patterns.

Both are completely normal.

What matters is:

Showing up for yourself consistently

Being gentle when you slip

Choosing yourself again tomorrow

Understanding that progress, not perfection, is the goal

Join the Community

At Kiri10, we're building a community of people committed to choosing themselves.

People who are done with self-hatred

People who are embracing their quirks

People who are becoming their own biggest cheerleaders

People who are living unapologetically authentic lives

Sign up to our email newsletter and:

Receive regular blogs on personal growth and self-love

Hear stories from the Kiri10 community about their journeys

Get tips for strengthening the bond between your mind, soul, and body

Connect with others who get it

References and Further Reading

Self-Compassion Research - Dr. Kristin Neff - Research on self-compassion and wellbeing
Neuroscience of Self-Talk - American Psychological Association - How self-talk affects brain chemistry and behaviour
Chronic Stress and Health - Harvard Health - Research on stress effects on physical health
Effect of keraGEN IV Keratin Oral Supplementation - Lincoln Agritech - Clinical study on Functional Keratin™ and hair health
The Power of Vulnerability - Brené Brown - Research on authenticity and connection
Habit Formation Research - James Clear - How habits and practices compound over time
KiriGlow Keratin Supplement - Kiri10 - Keratin supplement powered by Functional Keratin™

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Frequently Asked Questions

Start small. Notice one thing you like about yourself today. Change one negative self-talk statement to something kinder. Do one thing that feels like self-care. These small practices compound over time and create transformation.

No. Selfishness is acting without regard for others. Self-love is valuing yourself as much as you value others. Actually, people who truly love themselves are often kinder to others because they're not depleted from self-rejection.

That's normal and human. Don't shame yourself for it (that's just more negativity). Simply notice it, pause, and change the sentence. Progress isn't linear, and that's okay.

Research suggests 21-66 days for a habit to stick, but deeper patterns take longer. Some take weeks, some take months. The key is consistency, not speed. Show up for yourself daily and trust the process.

Yes. Neuroscience confirms that chronic negative self-talk increases stress hormones, inflammation, and various health issues. Positive self-talk reduces stress and improves physical health. Your mind and body are connected.

Remember Lesson 4: no one can make you feel judged without your permission. Their judgment is about them, not you. Surround yourself with people who support your choices. Let others' opinions pass through you without sticking.

Start small. Notice when you're people-pleasing and pause. Say no to one small thing. Observe that the world doesn't fall apart when you set a boundary. Over time, boundaries become easier.

Never. In fact, wisdom and life experience make older adults particularly capable of profound transformation. You have decades of self-knowledge to draw from. It's never too late to choose yourself.

When you love yourself, you take care of yourself. This includes nourishing your body, managing stress, getting sleep, and using products that support your health. Self-care rituals like using Functional Keratin™ products become acts of self-love. Beauty radiates from self-acceptance and confidence.

Practice daily self-care rituals. Manage stress through movement, meditation, or time in nature. Nourish your body with good nutrition. Get adequate sleep. Use products like those powered by Functional Keratin™ as part of your self-love practice. Journal about your growth. Connect with your community.