Photo & stunning dress by Heart My Closet.
Long ago I read about a woman in her 50s who’d had it with life: something went wrong (again) and she was done. She planned everything down to the smallest detail i.e. she knew how she’d off herself and who would find her; she’d even cleaned her home.
But then it occurred to her: she’d forgotten to spruce up. She hadn’t even bathed that day let alone brushed her teeth. Not wanting anyone to find her looking scruffy, she got to work.
She showered, blew out her hair, carefully applied make up, added jewelry, and chose a favorite top to go over cute jeans.
And you know what happened next: she looked at herself in the mirror and thought something along the lines of, “I look too damn good to give up now.”
And therein lies my point. Call it what you will — shallow, frivolous, juvenile — being pretty does something to our self-esteem, to our zest for life.
I’ve wrestled with this notion for years: I mean, it’s not like Shakespeare had to doll himself up before getting down to writing. Isn’t it at least a teeny bit shallow to care so much about how our hair and nails look?
As my toddler once yelled, “I says no!”
For some reason you and I are wired to care about our appearance. It probably has something to do with attracting the guy two caves over back when we were cavepeople. But “why” isn’t what we’ll noodle here, just knowing that pretty matters is the tool you and I can use to our advantage.
How to Turn Pretty into a Tool
When we look great we’re much more likely to go the extra mile for ourselves. In my case I work out more and I don’t hide when someone knocks at the front door. In a nutshell, I’m more into me and much less likely to row of Oreos a snack.
Rather than making the effort to look nice only now and then, consider turning “pretty” into a system that you do every single day forever. Some call it “showing up for your life.”
You matter: show up like you do.
And please don’t use the excuse, “Nobody will even notice or care” to get out of using the Pretty Tool. You’ll notice and you’ll care, and that’s where the magic begins.
The Magic of Baby Steps
I’m a huge believer in baby steps. If going full-on glam sounds exhausting, plan a baby step like:
- Do your nails.
- Spend extra time fixing your hair in the morning.
- Buy a pretty perfume – and actually use it. My favorite: Flower Bomb. (Love, love, love!)
One and done won’t cut it in this scenario. The brilliant trick is to turn a manicure, an extra five minutes of hair styling or a perfume spritz into a regular part of your day. Like, forever.
Losing weight – and maintaining the loss – is incredibly difficult. But it is do-able.
I’m not special. If I can pull 55-pounds off and maintain, so can you.
Using our Pretty Tool is just one more awesome method to make our path just a smidge easier.
And please don’t think it’s your imagination. Health is Hard.
♥, Wendy
P.S. Are you new to the Inspired Eater? Welcome!! This blog won’t make much sense until you first read the Aunt Bea post (and you’ll find Aunt Bea on this page to the right under my short bio). On your cell you’ll see it immediately following the first post. After you enter your email address, the Aunt Bea article will be sent to your email’s inbox. If it’s not there, you might check the spam folder. And always feel free to email me at Wendy@TheInspiredEater.com and I’ll get Aunt Bea right to you!
You know the scoop: I am an Amazon affiliate so if you buy something through a link at this site, I may receive a small commission that won’t impact your price at all.
I am not an expert, a doctor, a surgeon, a nurse or a nutritionist: the information within TheInspiredEater.com is based solely on my personal experience and is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ♥
24 Comments
Yes – You said it! “Routine!” my favorite word! When it’s part of my routine, it gets done. If not, not.
I love your story and your son’s words of wisdom! You nailed it again!
You’re so right!
Pretty as a tool – what a concept!
Thanks for sharing such great strategies on your blog.
Look forward to reading more in the weeks to come!
P.S. Congrats for being our Friend of the Week at Friendship Friday 497 at Create With Joy.
It’s my pleasure to honor you and to introduce/connect you to our community! 🙂
I am feeling very, very honored, Joy! Thank you!!
I love your positivity!! Sorely needed in our world.
Wendy
I love this, Wendy. Since the pandemic, I’ve let a lot of this go, and it really has had a negative effect on me. Thanks for the push! Also, I love Dominique Sachse’s youtube channel!
We’re both Dominique- and Sunny-fans! Fun!
Wendy
You are so right!
Hi Wendy,
This was especially difficult over Covid ( 2020). People wanted to be in loungewear and sweatpants, or myself, a nightgown. But that only lasts so long!
I agree, if you make an appt or habit to care for yourself and take time to do hair, makeup, it lifts your spirits, you feel good.
Love the Pretty as a Tool concept!
thanks for linking!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Great inspiration here and I love love that vintage look! So pretty!
Valerie
http://www.mapleleopard.com
Thank you Val!
Wendy
Wendy, I don’t care what I am wearing most days because I work from home but I always spritz myself with perfume and I love to do my own nails.
I have a friend who does the exact thing you do. Super smart. She has a “perfume wardrobe” and sprites herself twice a day. You’re both brilliant. Really great idea !
Excellent point, Wendy! My skin hates most makeup, but I do have some self care routines. And I find if you care for yourself in one way, you’re more likely to care for yourself by making healthy choices.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
You’re so right! It’s like dominoes falling, but in a good way!! I can’t wait to hear about NC!
I love the outfit. Simply Gorgeous!
Wish I could take credit for it, but it is beautiful isn’t it? 🙂
What a great story!! So true that when you take the time to ‘pretty’ up, you feel amazing!
It’s a real boost to put one’s face on! 🙂
Thanks for commenting, Lucy. I love your site!
What an interesting post, thanks so much for sharing with #chicandstylish Jacqui x
Some very good points here, work with what you’ve got and what you have. I always find if I’m feeling down that getting dressed up, make up, hair and putting jewellery on really gives me a boost, even if I’m just sitting in front of the TV. Thanks for linking with #pocolo
What a wonderful post! And it is so true that when we take a little bit of extra time and effort to look our best, we feel better, too (mentally and physically).
Thanks for sharing your post in the Talent-Sharing Tuesdays Link-Up 36.
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com
I love your Tuesday link-up!
W.
What a great story and brilliant concept. I think you have to be especially firm with yourself to make the effort when you work from home. I like the old adage of looking in the mirror and deciding whether I would be happy to open the door to a visitor this morning.
Pamela
http://www.style-yourself-confident.com
Thank you for writing and visiting!!
Wendy