I feel somewhat conflicted about the topic of appearance. Since I am against the hyperfocus on a woman’s appearance and the negative affects on women’s body image, I am generally turned off by women’s fashion magazines. I haven’t been into using a lot of make-up since high school, having become more of a make-up minimalist in my adult years. However, I also have noticed that after gaining weight, I lost all joy in my appearance. I started wearing frumpier clothes and never putting on more than blush to brighten up my face. So while I don’t think too much focus on appearance is healthy, I also think that my nearly total disregard for appearance was a sign of my negative attitude towards myself. I no longer felt that I was able to be attractive or that I was worthy of attention. At one point, I found myself at a friend’s Mary Kay party which is the sort of thing I would normally avoid at all costs. However, it turned out to be just what I needed at the time. Through faking being into make-up for my friend’s benefit, I rediscovered that a little primping can go a long way. I felt prettier and realized that just a little bit of extra attention to myself gave me a little lift. It was a reminder that I had started acting as if I didn’t matter. I now like to have a little face powder, mascara and eye shadow on hand for occasions when I want to be get a little dressed up. Flattering clothes, haircut and make-up really can be a boost to your self-esteem and mood. As with everything in life, it is about balance. Too much focus on appearance isn’t good, but neither is too little focus.
Taking Care of Everyone but Myself
The ever-present struggle with self-care continues. Stephanie at Surviving the Workday (one of my fav blogs) is focusing on the issue. Her recent post could be speaking directly to me. One of my ongoing issues is paying for my health care. Since I first developed a repetitive strain injury, I have wrestled with feeling guilty … Read more