Chapter 1: A Surprising Transformation

In a recent experience at my fitness center, I found myself gliding gracefully through the pool, my swimmer's physique drawing the envious glances of fellow gym-goers. The pool had three lanes, divided by swim ropes, and while it's common for each lane to be occupied by just one swimmer, sharing becomes necessary during peak hours. Personally, I prefer having a lane to myself; I swim with my eyes closed, often veering from wall to wall, which can be inconvenient for oncoming swimmers.

Yesterday, all three lanes were filled: me, a young woman, and a jolly-looking older gentleman who was likely younger than I am. Just then, a woman in her late middle age entered the area. After a quick scan, she approached me as I caught my breath between laps.

"Excuse me, would you mind if I share your lane?" she asked.

"Not at all, I'm about to finish," I replied, which was true and spared us both from the potential chaos of colliding mid-stroke.

The lane-sharing itself didn't bother me. What was perplexing was that, despite the presence of two other friendly swimmers, she chose me as the most likely candidate to accommodate her request. It made me question my long-held belief that I exude an aura of sternness—commonly referred to as "resting bitch face."

This reputation has its perks. People often approach me with caution, wary of triggering a fierce reaction if their requests aren't met. Panhandlers tend to avoid me, opting for friendlier faces. Moreover, I’ve heard that a "bad boy" image can be appealing.

But what is happening? As I age, have I unintentionally become… approachable?

You'd think aging would make me look less inviting, with gravity pulling my lips into a perpetual frown and deepening the lines on my forehead. However, perhaps the gray hairs at my temples signal a harmless, jolly demeanor, and my frequent utterance of “I beg your pardon?” during conversations might give off a quirky charm.

Even my retro punk style has shifted from intimidating to whimsically outdated, though I should clarify that during the pool incident, I was sporting a black swimsuit.

While I could still capitalize on the advantages of resting bitch face by adopting a grumpy persona, that’s not my inclination. It seems that life is nudging me to embrace new experiences with age, and I’m ready for that.

I plan to embrace this newfound congeniality. Picture me tipping my hat to strangers and striking up cheerful conversations in queues—“What a lovely day, isn’t it?”

Children will giggle and coo at my presence, while their mothers wag their fingers playfully, saying, “No candy today, Mr. Metzger! We're off to the dentist!”

A warm sun will shine down on my newly cheerful visage.

This is the future I envision—one where I transcend resting bitch face, and I welcome it with open arms.

Wish me well.

My Twelve Hours Living As A Cat

My name is Muffin now

Chapter 2: Exploring Resting Bitch Face

This video, "How To Fix Resting Bitch Face [Do These 2 Things]," delves into simple yet effective techniques to soften your facial expressions and enhance approachability.

The second video, "Common Causes of Resting Bitch Face (RBF) | Lesson of the Day," explores why some people naturally exude a more intimidating demeanor and how to counteract it.