I’m turning 30 in a few months. No big. What used to be the beginning of the end is now just the beginning for women my age. That’s not a new revelation, unless you’re talking to Esquire. The men’s mag is making headlines for its August 2014 cover story, “In Praise of 42-Year-Old Women.” Written by Tom Junod, the piece praises middle-age women at their “apotheosis” of life, that is, if you judge a person’s worthiness by her desirability. He points to women such as Cameron Diaz, Sofia Vergara, Leslie Mann and Jennifer Garner as examples of women whom, last week, you thought were past their primes or, in his words, “tragic.” But surprise, surprise: They’re still hot! While I would like to think this story was published as a desperate attempt for Esquire to create controversy (and publicity), the most offensive part, to me, is that it seems as though Junod actually believes 40-somethings everywhere will hold their heads a little higher after reading his sugar-coated brand of misogyny. Not only does Junod condone the objectification of women, he reinforces the belief that young and slim is the only road to beauty. If you don’t practise yoga or Pilates, forget it. (Don’t worry, you can still complain about it, though.) Lastly, when the pages are plastered with images of Photoshopped celebrities who live and breathe exercise, nutrition and cosmetic procedures, it sends the message that desirability is exclusive to Hollywood. He’s saying 42 can be hot, but only if you try really, really hard. As if Diaz and Vergara weren’t sex symbols before Esquire realized they’d entered their 40s and (somehow, someway) continued to float the editors’ boats. My 20s haven't been easy. The uncertainty of dating, figuring out life, being broke and starting a career is nothing I would want to do over again. Being 20 sucks. (If you need proof, catch a few episodes of Girls.) I’m excited for my 30s and 40s. I know the best is yet to come for me, whether Esquire still believes so in a year's time or not. I’m not afraid of losing the body I once had. (It’s already gone.) I’m at ease knowing how far I’ve come in accepting myself for who I am and not needing validation from anyone, especially a man. Photography: Tony Shek/Wikimedia Commons (Diaz); Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images/Wikimedia Commons (Vergara);Christopher William Adach/Wikimedia Commons (Leslie Mann)