The first thing I do when I get home from work is pull my hair back completely off my face, take off my "work clothes" and wash my makeup off. Tonight, I realized that I had forgotten to pick up a prescription so after dinner, I headed out.
As I was walking through the mega grocery store to the pharmacy, I waved hello to the produce guy, and smiled at strangers I passed along the way. I was feeling pretty proud of myself. The Chrissy of 10 years ago, 5 even, would never have ventured out without full makeup, perfectly coiffed hair and a stylish outfit. Wow, I must have really reached a new level of confidence.
I stopped at the floral shop, where an old lady was looking at the bouquets in the cooler. I walked up next to her and saw that she had her hair pulled back in a bun, nary a stitch of makeup on and was wearing a mis-matched ensemble. She mumbled something to herself, starting laughing and walked away with a bunch of daisies.
I looked back and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirrored display case. I was wearing my hair in a bun, I had nary a stitch of makeup on and a tug on my pant legs revealed two mis-matched socks.
Maybe I'm not so "confident in my skin", after all.
Maybe I just don't give a crap anymore.
Keeping yourself up is exhausting. I LOVE being in my 40's and at this stage. I've seen your photos. You are a beauty and I know you are just adorable sans make up and hair in a bun.
ReplyDeleteRock it out, sister. xo
That was a funny cartoon punchline!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about after work, that's what I do, I like to see the real me at home.
Secretia
The day I walked around with baby spit up all over my shirt was the day I stopped caring.
ReplyDeleteSo bring it on, bird shit, mismatched socks, food stains......once you start driving a mini van you become invisible anyway. So I fly under the radar with lots of stuff attached to me. It's sweet!
I have beed going out in public sans make-up and with bed-head hair for years, and I love the freedom. I really don't care what people think.
ReplyDeleteMy girls won't go to softball practice without makeup on and the hair just so. But there is something about pajama pants that turns the vanity off. They will walk right into Mickey D's in the morning hair all a mess, sans makeup lookin afright.
ReplyDeleteWhat matters most is pleasing the one most important person in your life.
ReplyDeleteIn the immortal words of Ricky Nelson:
You can't please everyone so you got to please yourself.
Yikes!!! I too have recently ventured out without makeup, my hair in a ponytail and threw on some clothes so I was just dressed without having put together an "outfit". And I too realized it wasn't so bad. Unfortunately, I didn't know you were going to be there with your camera and post my pic for the world to see.
ReplyDeletei have ceased to give a crap a long time ago. A LONG TIME AGO.
ReplyDeleteOMG...you ALWAYS make me laugh!
ReplyDeleteLOVED that last photo!
I wish I could say the same for me, however I'm a lot like Joan Crawford whenever I go out in public. I need to look like a OCD movie star!
Yes...Mommie Dearest!
Great post, girl!
X
http://www.forbes.com/2010/02/11/americas-most-miserable-cities-business-beltway-miserable-cities.html
ReplyDeleteI always love your posts about Cleveland, you make it sound so nice. I can't believe Forbes voted it "Most Miserable City" when you know Detroit sucks the big one!
If it makes you feel any better, Technically you had on only 1 mismatched sock. One was right. That makes it only half as bad. Right?? Just sayin.
ReplyDeleteI always wonder if other people are aware of it when I am wearing no makeup. People don't care about other people's appearance much after all, I think... It doesn't matter how strangers think about you, does it? Though, of course, you wouldn't want to meet an ex-boyfriend without makeup.
ReplyDeleteCinnamon's Mum
In the future, I'd like to suggest that you simply avoid all mirrors.
ReplyDeleteThat's where you went wrong, ya know....
You're entitled to walk around with a clean face and no hair in your eyes! As long as no-one's pointing, screaming and running away, I think you're good to go.
@Christine Macdonald,
ReplyDeleteYou are too kind. You're right, that's it. It's exhausting.
@Secretia,
There's no place like home.
@The Guy's Perspective,
Ah...bliss!
@Funny Girl,
Atta girl!
@Simply Suthern,
That's so funny. I so don't get the pajama pants in public thing. And thank you, yes, I only had one mis-matched sock on!
@TAG,
YEAH!
@One Woman's Thoughts,
HA! Love the babushka.
@SPEAKING FROM THE CRIB,
A woman after my own heart.
@Ron,
You're a star anyway, baby!
@Comet Girl,
I saw it. Such a bummer. I had to respond with Saturday's post.
@Cinnamon,
Yes! That's always the fear. :-)
@Kathryn,
It was an accident. I didn't know the case was mirrored!
I think it is healthy not to worry what other people think.
ReplyDeleteYour post made me think of a famous W. B. Yeats poem, that while not exactly concordant with your situation, is truthful in its own way.
The Coming Of Wisdom With Time
Though leaves are many, the root is one;
Through all the lying days of my youth
I swayed my leaves and flowers in the sun;
Now I may wither into the truth.
I walk my dog every morning pre-makeup and I don't care, of course she's so cute and loveable no one is looking at me! My happiness is also on full blast when I am out walking my dog, it's the best part of my day so I can't look too bad.
ReplyDelete