When I worked a full-time job outside the home, I got up every morning around 5am so that I had “me” time. I would plug-in the curling iron, brew a pot of coffee, check out the morning news, and then hop on the computer to check emails for things that needed my attention right away or that could wait till I got home. I would then start getting ready around 6:30 a.m. – curling my hair, doing my makeup, picking out my outfit for the day and accessories. Usually by 7 a.m. I was ready. It was then time to get the kids awake, get hubby awake, and make sure that everyone had everything that they would need for the day.
When I arrived home after working a full day (usually between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.) after picking the children up from daycare, it was time to cook dinner. I dropped my briefcase by the table, hung up my jacket, and headed for the kitchen. If dinner wasn’t already cooking away in the crock pot, I got everything ready and on the stove.
Then it was time to tackle the laundry, make the beds, tidy up the bedrooms and the living room, clean the bathrooms. In between I would finish dinner, serve, clean up, load the dishwasher, tackle whatever project I had brought home from work and fold the laundry. Get the kids to finish their homework, bath time and bed time. Work on the computer for a bit more, and then usually fall asleep around midnight or 1:00 a.m. after ensuring that the house was picked up, clean, dusted, etc.
Yep, that was me. Super Mom! By the time Saturday morning rolled around, all I had to do during the weekend was a few more loads of laundry and some general day-to-day pick up. I had the entire weekend to do whatever I damn well pleased – and that usually meant “playing” on the computer and doing some graphic designing.
Since I’ve been a stay-at-home mom the past 9 years though, I’ve gotten um, lazy, about my appearance. The hair gets thrown up in a messy pigtail (sometimes it gets brushed, sometimes not), the sweatpants are on, the ragged t-shirt is on, and that’s pretty much my outfit for the day. It also makes me feel ragged – tired, worn out, just so NOT productive, you know? It is a struggle for me to get one or two household chores done daily, let alone have everything finished by the time the weekend rolls around. I don’t do my hair, I don’t put on makeup, I have the audacity to go out in public looking like a hot mess and embarrass the mess out of my kids.
I’m tired of looking like a hot mess. Tired of being tired. Tired of being incapable of accomplishing all that I want to do in a day’s time – both professionally and personally. I still have all of my business attire hanging in the back of my closet, collecting dust, so I am putting it to use once again.
Today was the first day of my “dress for success” campaign for a better me. I’m dressed as though I am going to the office, and I’ve even been wearing my heels all day (gasp) instead of my slippers!!! The ratty t-shirt and sweatpants went in the hamper when I woke up this morning – where the pajamas belong! My hair is done, my makeup is done (thank you Boom by Cindy Joseph), and I’ve received so many compliments today it has amazed me. I feel good about myself, I’ve accomplished almost two-thirds of what was on my list, and I’ve scheduled out the other items that needed to be done.
I took some pictures to share – but they suck. I’m still not very confident when it comes to selfies, so you will just have to take my word for it! I feel great though, and I plan on continuing to “dress for success” every weekday – and save the ratty sweats for the weekends!
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