The article highlights a discussion by the author, who will participate in the Festival Fronteiras on March 8, International Women's Day. The event will include two panels focusing on existential themes: the passage of time and personal freedom. The author aims to present research findings on aging, autonomy, and happiness, contextualizing these within a culture that often values youth and beauty above all else.

In the prelude to the event, the author reflects on preliminary findings from interviews with women about what they envy in others. The responses predominantly emphasize physical attributes such as body shape, beauty, slimness, youth, and sensuality when comparing with other women. This suggests an internalized societal pressure that equates a woman's worth with her appearance, particularly in a culture that leans towards ageism and body image issues.

The author's exploration also suggests the need for a conversation about the experiences of aging across gender lines, particularly shedding light on the insecurities and aspirations women face in a youth-centric society. This examination not only broadens the discourse on gender but also implicates how societal narratives shape personal identity and value in the context of aging.