Laughing My Way through the 3rd Stage: Selected Essays that Skewer the Golden Years by Susan Goldfein
What's It About?
“The older you get, I have to say, the funnier you find life. That’s the only way to go. If you get serious about yourself as you get old, you are pathetic.” — Actress Diana RiggOne universal truth is that we all experience aging. But it still has a way of sneaking up on us.
After making some startling discoveries about growing older, like how she looked in her clothes compared to models in fashion magazines or how much harder it was to wear heels, Susan Goldfein began a second career as a blogger, public speaker and author by which she writes for “an audience of a certain age.”
In her latest, Laughing My Way through the 3rd Stage: Selected Essays that Skewer the Golden Years (Citrine Publishing), Goldfein shares with us a series of micro essays, or chapters, that combine into a book about aging with grace — meaning, not taking ourselves too seriously, finding the humor in the day-to-day and seeing the bright side of the third stage.
TRUE TO ITS NAME, A LAUGH-OUT-LOUD TAKE ON GETTING OLDER
The third stage is in reference to an aging model Goldfein has adopted called “The Triple Goddess,” which refers to young women (the Maiden), middle-aged women (the Mother) and older and elderly women (the Crone, though not in the derogatory sense we usually think of). The Crone is meant to be a “wisdom keeper, seer, healer and midwife, one whose knowledge is sought out to guide others during their hardships and transitions.”
But instead of taking this new role entirely too seriously, Goldfein accepts it by asking a true-to-her question, “I do have a question, though. Must I look the part? Does deciding to become a Crone require a new outfit?”
This is far from the only example of quips, jokes and employing humor in the face of what someone might deem as a difficult time. Goldfein has a unique way of looking at simple moments in her life and twisting them into something unique and humorous.
From the agonizing experience of wearing high heels in the city to imagining what a fashion magazine for the elderly would advertise, this book is packed with hilarious moments that will keep any reader, no matter their age, laughing and chuckling, relating their own experience and turning the page.
SOMETHING HERE FOR EVERYONE
Though Goldfein quips that she writes for an audience of “a certain age,” I firmly believe that this book could be enjoyed by anyone, for a variety of reasons, whether they’re 20 or 90.
Even if a younger reader cannot fully relate to an experience exactly as Goldfein has described it, they likely have experienced something similar that felt embarrassing at the time but which is laughable now.
In some cases, however, Goldfein’s writing is so witty on its own, I found myself laughing, even if she was describing something I’d never been through myself before.
While there is morbidity in this book, it is overall self-aware, humorous and smart, and it easily passes as a feel-good book. But most importantly, Goldfein creates a feeling of community and a message that tells readers that they are not alone.
TWO KEY TAKEAWAYS — AND MORE TO COME
There are many lessons that can be found in this book, but the two most important ones have to be the following.
First, don’t take yourself too seriously, and find ways to laugh in essentially every situation. This should be relatable to anyone, regardless of their age.
Second: a person’s value does not hinge on their age. Goldfein has candidly spoken about her experiences with feeling less than valued, and being viewed as incompetent or unintelligent, because of her age — not to mention comments about her appearance. Readers who are closer to Goldfein’s age will find company in this book, but readers who are younger should take heed. Rather than second-guessing a person because of their age, they really should make sure they are prioritizing the right traits. And when they see an actor returning to the stage, their first comment shouldn’t be about how much they have aged.
Goldfein repeatedly jokes about running out of time and pondering whether it’s worth purchasing the warranty or learning how to do something new. But whether she wants to commit to saying there’s enough time for another book or not, I’m certain we’re far from seeing the last of Susan Goldfein’s great and uproarious writing.
About Susan Goldfein:
Born and raised in New York City, Susan currently splits her time between Florida and Connecticut. She lives with her husband, and the world’s cutest dog, Sam, a rough-coat Russell Terrier. Susan gives her audiences a sideways view of life on a range of relatable topics. Whether skewering marriage, growing older, fashion, the media, politics, or money matters, her light touch keeps people laughing – and thinking.
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