Okay Is Good Enough: Saralisa Volm on growing old in a relaxed way

Why should men in particular read your book? And what can we learn from it?

Many women understand exactly what is written in this book, have heard about it or have experienced some of it themselves. Men, on the other hand, are not familiar with topics such as female sexuality, violence against women or eating disorders to the same extent. So the book is often much more fascinating and insightful for men, I would say. Art history and socio-political topics also look quite different from a female perspective. I think men would do well to discover and explore these perspectives. That’s the only way to begin to communicate on an equal footing. In our private relationships as well as in larger contexts. I have already heard from many couples who have read the book together and they all say how enriching it was.

Beauty, however you define it, is becoming an increasingly important factor for men as well. You only have to look at how much advertising the beauty industry is now focusing on men. How do you see this development for men? And how are men reacting to it? Are there differences here within the various age groups?

Beauty products are now being heavily marketed to men as well. They, too, are being encouraged to buy and use everything from serums to skin care masks, from dietary supplements to diet apps. Wherever there is something to sell, there’s advertising. The so-called “advertising-relevant target groups” – that means people under forty-nine and with enough money to be able to make purchasing decisions on their own – are particularly interesting. As people get older, consumption often takes on a different meaning. At any rate, my grandfathers haven’t started dyeing their hair yet or getting manicures.

Leading a healthy life with a balanced diet and enough exercise is certainly not the worst thing. But where does living healthy end and an obsession with looking good begin? That often is a fine line.

First of all, the important thing should always be freedom, empowerment and independence. The rest is secondary. If you ask me, we should invest in education to make sure people make informed and responsible decisions. Additionally, we should focus more on our physical and mental well-being. All of this is the responsibility of society and therefore of the state. If we have a society of healthy, independent people who can think for themselves, they should be able to do what they want with their bodies. But many of the beauty fads we are obsessed about have a much deeper cause, such as mental illnesses. And that’s unhealthy. Certain obsessions, which manifest themselves as an eating disorder or in excessive surgery, are then only the symptom.

Who actually benefits from our obsession with beauty? What care products do you really need? Does it absolutely have to be the face cream with high-quality organic shea butter and aloe vera? Or is the classic Nivea cream enough?

The big cosmetics companies, of course, but also everyone who sells us Botox, diet plans, minimally invasive procedures or the like. The fashion industry also profits, as does anyone who promises to cure our ills with retail therapy. In other words, anyone who makes a profit when we’re feeling down and inadequate. The candy industry, for example. I think that an enormously large percentage of all beauty products are completely unnecessary. From shampoo to conditioner. From shaving cream to facial masks. Most chemicals actually harm us, cause allergies, intolerances and irritations. Nutrition is probably key, as is sleep or exercise and less stress. But who can afford that? Hair dyes, dermal fillers and certain procedures are more difficult to replace, on the other hand. These are necessary if the result is desired.

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→ Read the full interview soon in rampstyle #29.