Lance Avery Morgan
In An Exclusive, The Snarky In The Suburbs Author And Peacock’s The Traitors Star Reveals Why Saying No, Not Caring What People Think, And Being Underestimated Make Getting Older Her Most Fabulous Chapter Yet
Who says getting older means slowing down, fading into the background, or surrendering to society’s ever-growing list of rules about how women should look and behave? Sherry Kuehl, the sharp-witted creator and author of the Snarky in the Suburbs series of books, honorary Texan, and recent star of Peacock’s The Traitors, has a decidedly different take. At a youthful 65, even an official geriatric designation hasn’t dimmed her sparkle or her snark. Instead, she’s discovered three unexpected superpowers that make this chapter of life her most liberating yet: the power to say no without guilt, the freedom to stop caring what everyone thinks, and the delicious advantage of being underestimated. Consider this a manifesto for aging unapologetically, with a healthy dose of humor and absolutely no apologies, as our pop culture chronicler and decades-long pal of Kuehl’s, Lance Avery Morgan, learned when he caught up with her.
Sherry Kueh’s Three Aging Superpowers
If you think logically, one wouldn’t see aging as a superpower. But I’m here to tell you, as a 65-year-old woman recently told by my doctor that I’m officially a geriatric patient, that there is indeed an upside to being vintage. And this upside includes three superpowers.
#1 Sherry Kuehl’s The Power Of No
I no longer feel any compunction about giving away my time on things I don’t want to do. My time is limited, and I now say no with what feels like wild abandon. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is a thing of the past.
I no longer attend social events that steal my joy, and by that I mean any gathering with a master of ceremonies or board chair who’s in love with a microphone. Add in a never-ending live auction, and it felt like my life force was being smothered.
I also, with joy in my heart, say no to invites from people I consider boring. Back in the day, I would have attended that lunch or dinner or even an HOA annual meeting (sigh) because it’s something a nice person would do. Now, nice takes a back seat to what I want, and it’s not to sacrifice an evening for a slog into the world of monotonous tedium.
I must confess it felt odd at first to say no, but I got used to it quickly, and now I embrace the power of no with aggressive gusto.
#2 Sherry Kuehl’s The Power Of I Don’t Care
As a woman, not caring is the sweetest freedom and superpower of all. Especially when it comes to what people think about my appearance. I can’t tell you how many, mostly total strangers (thanks, internet), have told me I need a deep plane facelift. Apparently, my nasolabial folds are horrific.
But wait, there’s more. I also get told I’m too old for long hair and need to get bangs. WTH on bangs? For the record, I’ll let a surgeon burrow under my musculoaponeurotic system before I get bangs (and yes, even curtain bangs).
The beauty of all this is that I have the assurance not to care, as in not give one single F, to what other people think about what I look like. The cherry on top of this “I don’t care” sundae is that it really infuriates people. Alas, if there’s one thing that many people abhor and seem excessively confused by, it’s a confident older woman.
#3 Sherry Kuehl’s The Power Of Being Underestimated
I’ve found that as you age, people assume you’re “less than.” Less smart, less with it, less attractive, less up to date, less tech-savvy. You know, all the “lesses.” Instead of fighting this or correcting people, I roll with it. By all means, underestimate me as I play you for the fool you are and get my own way.
I can’t emphasize what a true superpower this is. People don’t see it coming, and by the time they maybe figure it out, it’s too late. I’ve gotten exactly what I’ve wanted.
The bottom line is I might technically be geriatric, but I’m still multifaceted in my fabulousness, and I have superpowers. In fact, I don’t know if I’ve ever felt better.
