Heather Graham says ‘Women are told that there’s no age we’re supposed to feel good about ourselves’

Heather Graham calls out sexism in Hollywood and society.

In a new interview, the 53-year-old Boogie Nights star suggests there is “no age” when women are “allowed” to feel good about themselves.

“I think culturally there’s definitely a message that keeps telling us, ‘Women feel bad about themselves!'” she explained to NewBeauty magazine.

Graham continued, “It seems like there’s no age where we’re supposed to feel really good about ourselves — except maybe a very short time frame.”

“The rest of the time we have to feel, ‘I’m too young or I’m too old,'” she said.

But the Austin Powers star has found a way to deal with the frustration and stay happy and peaceful.

“I have to disconnect from the culture, which is a patriarchal way of looking at things, and affirm myself and be happy and thankful for what I have,” she revealed.

“The older I get, the pickier I am about the energy I want around me,” the Scrubs alum told the outlet.

“I want loving, supportive people by my side. When I was younger I was always looking for the difficult, dramatic, complicated people. At a certain point I realized that it is tiring.’

Age has brought wisdom and clarity to the Extrapolations actress.

“Now I try to have people in my circle who support me… You have to be with the people who really celebrate you.”

The outlet told Heather that she seemed to be aging backwards. After graciously accepting the compliment, the Austin Powers star shared her secret: sleep.

“I think sleep is one of the most important things. I try to sleep a lot. Other than that I think I’m just happy inside and whatever,” she said.

“I do all the self-help stuff: I meditate, I do yoga, I work through all things in therapy,” then do all the different sorts of sorting through my inner world to make myself feel happy inside,” The Hypnotist’s Love Story actress explained.

And despite the inherent sexism in the world of film and television, Heather has hope.

Inner peace: Heather Graham, 53, has discovered the key to staying happy – even after four decades in Hollywood

Disconnect: “I need to disconnect from the culture, which is a patriarchal way of looking at things, and affirm myself and be happy and thankful for what I have,” she revealed in a new interview with New Beauty magazine

She said, “I think it’s exciting that women are taking up more and more positions of power and are starting to influence the culture. It’s cool that there are more women in charge of companies and that we’re giving the green light to projects with more female subjects.”

‘I really want to make things that empower women. I’ve become involved in more projects behind the scenes and I feel strongly that what we watch matters.’

“When you look at things where it’s always just about men and women aren’t allowed to do so much, it’s disempowering on another level,” she added.

And when she needs a little extra confidence, she does one of her affirmations.

Double standard: “I think culturally there is definitely a message that keeps telling us, “Women feel bad about themselves!” It seems there’s no age where we’re supposed to feel really good about ourselves, except maybe for a very short period of time,” she said.

Protecting her energy: “The older I get, the more picky I am about the energy I want around me,” the Scrubs alum told the outlet

‘I do affirmations in my personal daily activities. I have a good friend who taught me how to basically take your deepest fears, turn them around, and then you say it’s already happening — or you can talk about something you want to happen,” she explained.

The Lost in Space star continued, “I have a list of affirmations… like, “I am sweet, I approve of myself. I am beautiful. I feel this is the best time of my life.”’

“I read it every day, and it really makes a difference. Instead of listening to all the negative people in the world telling you to feel bad about yourself, it’s like being my own loving parent to my inner child.”

“You just have to say to yourself, ‘You’re amazing.’ Whenever something happens and I get triggered or I feel bad, it’s like I have a muscle in me that can always say, “You’re awesome.” The more I affirm myself, the more love I have to give,” she shared.