Red and yellow and pink and green, purple and orange and blue...
Hey you!!!
Yes, it’s been a while between blogs. It’s also been a while since i’ve felt inspired to write…..well inspired to do much really! And I know I won’t be the only one feeling that way.
We are currently in Stage 3 lockdown which is, well it’s shit. But so many people I know and love are in Stage 4 lockdown which is triple shit. Triple shit for them and triple shit for those of us who a craving to see them.
I haven’t seen my gorgeous sister since February and I am having some serious withdrawals. It sucks that I can’t meet her in the city for a shopfest or crash on her couch for a boozy/foody weekend. But I’m dealing with it by imagining the day we get to see each other again, which will hopefully be soon.
So like most people lockdown 2.0 has been…….challenging. Our house is packed to the rafters, day trips are not allowed, face masks are to be worn at all times outside the house. And you know what I’ve found? I’ve found that once freedom was displaced, so was my mood. I haven’t been lovely. I haven’t been a barrel of laughs. But neither has anyone else. We all have our ways of dealing with these new times. And I know we are lucky…….but it is still difficult.
So my mood needed to change. My mood needed a challenge that didn’t involve keeping our house clean, or getting the timing right for a morning shower so the housemates (aka, the children) made it to work on time. What to do? Online yoga classes were not really an option with adult children now using our lounge room as a bedroom. Online cooking classes were not needed now that everything I cook involved the slow cooker, rice, pasta and potatoes to fill everyone up. It had to be something for ME, not the family.
What did I need? What was missing, apart from day trips to a winery? Then it hit me. I needed some STYLE MOJO. Yep, style. My sense of style was in lockdown too. I looked like crap…because I could. What did I used to wear on weekends? Didn’t matter because we couldn’t go anywhere. Did I ever wear that pair of jeans and if so, what shoes did I wear with them? My ugg boots? So those old feelings of lost identity came flooding back.
I’ve always tried to make an effort with how I present myself. Hair done, makeup on, ironed clothes. But I’d lost it. Track pants and old jumpers and ugg boots were all that were needed. And work uniform on weekdays. And done. That was all that was required. But it made me feel like crap.
So I decided to watch some videos of a chick who runs a personal styling course. She offered free videos on how to dress best! BEST! That’s what I needed!
To be honest I’ve watched her for a couple of years. And I liked what she did, what she stood for, and her style was gorgeous. She runs a program whereby you pay to belong to the group, get your best colours and shapes sorted, including face shape, body shape, best prints to wear and all that stuff I’d never really thought of. I usually buy clothes based on how they look on someone else…..usually a six foot model and then wonder why I didn’t look like that in those clothes! HA!
So I joined. BAM! Well I hovered for a while but hubby was so over my dark mood that he encouraged me to spend the money and hopefully get some mojo back. So I did.
First module…….palm slap to forehead. Have to post photos determine elements that make up me. Shit. Really? Ok…did it because, you know, I paid for it.
Feedback. Those gorgeous soft sage greens and pale blues and all that black. Wrong. Want to know my best colours? Yellow. Peach. Ivory. Navy. Like, YELLOW. YELLOW. I don’t think I have ever worn yellow.
But I trust the process. I’ve completed the course and am now on my way to owning my wardrobe. Owning my style. Owning my identity through feeling confident in how I look, CoVid kilos and all. And isn’t that what we all want? To face each day with a mask on, but feeling comfortable with who we are. Now don’t get me wrong….Ugg boots still feature high up on my list of go to “what to wear”. But throw in a bright yellow knit, a violet jumper, some very bright scarves and a denim jacket that I cut the collar off! And I feel great!!
The group I belong to is amazing. We can ask a question at anytime, post a photo of something we are trying on for an opinion and get nothing but honest, encouraging answers. A true tribe of empowering women inspiring each other.
My family think I’m going nuts. Everyday they raise their eyebrows at me. If an online order arrives, they chuckle at what colour it is. Take my new boots for example. RED COMBAT BOOTS. Purchased after seeing them on someone who bought them, took the plunge to wear them and looked awesome. My kids laughed. And that’s ok. I laughed! But I love them! Just need to be able to wear them somewhere! Maybe next winter……
My wardrobe is getting closer to looking like a rainbow as opposed to a black and white movie and I’m pumped! It’s opened my eyes to a world of colour and collarless jackets, among other things.
This course has played with my head, challenged my thinking and turned my wardrobe upside down. And I’m loving it.
If you are interested watching some free videos, the facebook page is called On my way to being the Boss of my Wardrobe. So much free content, some fantastic ideas and videos of how to look and feel your best. Check out the teachings of Nat Tucker. Challenge your thinking! What else is there for you to do??!!
So if you see me grabbing a coffee, or getting groceries in my bright yellow top, or red combat boots, you’ll know that:
I’m a little out of my comfort zone
I am so used to blending in, that standing out is different for me
I’m ok with the above!
Have a great week ahead!!
Love,
Cherie with a C. xxx