Because the real limitations and stressors of age can't just be waived away with a positive attitude and growth mindset. There are real structural issues at play here.

I'm not even 40 and I'm part of the sandwich generation: https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2013/01/30/the-sandwich-generation/

I have parents/children to care for, I have a narrow window to have another child, I am saving for my own retirement and an elderly relative's end of life care and my kids college, so deciding to go back to school really isn't in the cards for me right now.

But she frames that all as just a matter of having the right mindset, about not choosing fun clothes. I'm undermining myself, excluding myself, making myself "sickly" and boring, reducing my own lifespan.

Sure thing, whatever, girl. Just pile the fuck on.