We’ve all been through a phase of not really bothering, right? Tell me it’s not just me.
My latest phase came to me towards the end of a tedious relationship; a relationship that was leading me down a dangerous road of not-good-enough. Ridiculous, huh? Don’t believe any shit a man uses to undermine you and get yourself the hell out of there.
I spent a few months lacking in the self-love – I didn’t care about my fitness, my social life, my hobbies, my job and definitely not my appearance.
When the relationship came to a welcome end, I realised how lethargic, boring and unmotivated I’d become and promised that never ever would I let myself go again, regardless of the status or comfort of my relationship.
I don’t know about you, but I just don’t feel good when I don’t care for myself, on the outside just as much as the inside. I’ve questioned whether this makes me shallow, but quite honestly, when I spend my days in old sweats with my hair scraped back and an un-cleansed face, I feel awful. It’s hard to look in the mirror and think “oh my, you sexy thing” when your hair hasn’t been brushed and you’re struggling to remember the last time you worked out. I don’t feel as if the state of my appearance is a great addition to my overall happiness, but I undoubtedly feel better when it makes a contribution.
I have to admit, however, it is time consuming, isn’t it? All of this looking good palavah. To keep your hair in good condition, to keep those pearly whites white, to resist an entire pack of Kit-Kats in order to maintain your, what I call, ‘happy weight’...
After a few weeks of refilling the self-love tank, I’ve decided that, for me, it’s time well spent. Given that I’d let myself gain quite a few pounds, kept a terrible skincare regime and had developed a make-up routine of foundation and maybe a bit of mascara for far too long, it’s lovely to have fun with all things beauty again. When you feel confident and pretty and healthy thanks to a few minor adjustments, it’s worth the effort. I couldn’t spend my days getting false nails and spray tans, I must admit, but no longer do I wonder why women bother. I’m finally having fun with make-up again and I feel more like me than ever.
It’s nice to let ourselves make a little extra effort; not only for special occasions and certainly not for the benefit of others. Just for ourselves. And just because.
Take some time out for yourself today, hot stuff.
Image via onitamo's Flickr