On Thursday I attended a networking meeting and had women make a beeline to me thanking me for being so transparent and raw in my last post “I Have Nothing To Wear”. The emails, comments and private messages have been more of the same. “Thank you JuliAnn, for letting us know we’re not alone standing next to our bed strewn with clothes and feeling like there’s nothing to wear.”
As an image expert, I have always taught my clients and audiences the importance of representing their personal brand or the best of themselves through their image. I have always made a point to represent MY image very carefully. After all, I am my own billboard AND that can be a place of vulnerability, too. There is a sense of pressure to look the part. The truth is, I don’t look perfect all the time. Just ask my husband. There are many days I’m feeling downright ugly.
This VERY rapid descent into menopause has made me feel really beat down. Lots of changes. Body, skin, mood AND my hair is falling out. There are days I feel old and frumpy.
Having said that, I’m one to step into action and control what I do have control over. This morning it was time to pull some clothes out of my closet. Clothes that act as flashing light reminders that I’m not as svelte as I used to be. Clothes quietly claiming that they don’t fit anymore.
What CAN I control?
Make an appointment with my doctor (wait, let me do that now…. ok done) to talk about my health and everything I can be doing to feel the best I can.
Be sure I’m drinking lots of water. That tip should be included in every post I write.
Exercise more. Doesn’t mean running a marathon. Just a small step is still a step in the right direction.
Eat better. Throw out the rest of the Halloween candy, puhleeze.
Get my makeup done. I suggest women have a professional teach them what looks best every 6 months. As we progress in age, so should we progress in our makeup and skin care routine. New products hit the market every day. Highlighters, concealers… things that freshen up our look. A fun, new lip color is ALWAYS in order.
Pull some snug clothes out of my closet. Yes, I can box them up for a while. Maybe I can shrink a little. But honestly, if I do lose a few inches I’ll probably want new clothes.
Buy two new outfits that flatter the body I have NOW. I completed THAT on Monday. One was a colorful wrap dress. Apparently it looked pretty good because I had a perfect stranger offer to buy me champagne last night. Then a young dad winked at me while I waited in line at the store. I literally turned around to see who he was winking at. It WAS me. Thank GOODNESS for small favors, right?
I can’t be the only one out there who has solutions. Help a girl out? What do you suggest? What do you do?