I can't believe this is the last week of June already; it seems like the longer the days are, the faster they go by! The last Monday of the month means that it's time to check in with my One Little Word and to link up with Carolyn.
The biggest change in my daily life this past month has been going into the office for work two mornings a week. I still don't see the point in being there, especially because until last week, I could actually do less there than I could at home (I couldn't connect to the printers there), but that's kind of beside the point, at least as far as my OLW goes. I was thinking about how much things have changed since I was last in the office regularly, and I'm not even talking about COVID and how that changed things. I've noticed that since this change, I've gotten Better about not caring so much about what other people think about my appearance. There was a time when I would not go into the office without my hair and makeup done. But these days, I really can't be bothered. I've gone in with dirty hair pulled back in a ponytail and not a speck of makeup on. I'll occasionally pluck my eyebrows (if they really need it), and of course I'm dressing professionally, but I've gotten to a place where I feel like my work should speak for itself and how I look is irrelevant. I know part of this comes with getting older and part of it is that I've gotten used to being more comfortable from working at home, but part of me also feels like this is a bit of an act of rebellion: If you're going to force me to come into the office, when I'm perfectly capable of getting my work done (and done well) from home, then you'll take me as I am. No one has said anything -- not that I expected them to -- but really the only person who thought I needed to come to work fully made up in the "before times" was me. And the me of 2024 is a lot Better at not hiding my imperfections (or at least at not feeling like I need to hide them)!
I remember well the time when I decided I did not have to be "made up" when I went to work (way, way, way pre-pandemic). It was very freeing! My (former) office is still "come in when you want" which sort of surprises me. The parent company (in Charlotte) has been 3 days per week in the office for over a year now.
ReplyDeleteBravo, Sarah! This is a HUGE better post and one I want to cheer loudly! This is a lesson I tried so hard to impart on my girls when they were Mo's age and younger... it is such a hard lesson to learn... to be comfortable with... (especially when I worked in a bank with a dress code that included make up *and nylons* for women... and ties for men) There is something freeing that happens inside a person when you realize that you are perfect *with all your imperfections*! (And I really must say, I love Rebellious Sarah! Brilliant!)
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I think that work should take you as you are, and I'm glad that you have arrived at that conclusion for yourself. I was working at home (long before the pandemic) doing technical writing and I may have done some of my best work in my pajamas!
ReplyDeleteI'm standing and cheering for you loudly, Sarah! It feels like Growth & Better worked together over time...and they turned out Strong.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Kat. I love Rebellious Sarah. (And, oh thank God no one's talking about 'nyons' anymore!) xo
Oh, that sounds like such a BETTER way of just being, all around, Sarah! Good for you! (And good for Mo, too. Because what an excellent example you're setting for her . . .) XO
ReplyDeleteGood for you. I've reached the stage in my life when it would take a professional to make me look better with makeup so I don't bother anymore
ReplyDeleteI think it helps to know that not even the models we see on the covers of magazines look as good as we think -- it's all makeup and airbrushing!
DeleteYAY YOU! I only wish you didn't see ANYthing about yourself as an imperfection - you are beautiful no matter what you choose to do - or not do! - with your appearance. and I'm sure you have plenty of other things you'd rather be spending your time on :-)
ReplyDeleteI say good for you for choosing this better version of yourself! Sometimes I wonder . . . who decided that women look better with makeup while men don't need to wear any?
ReplyDeleteI think getting older has a way of helping us care less about the opinions of others. Good for you. Who decided women should wear make up anyway? I know some women enjoy makeup and that is terrific. Some of us just pick and choose the best times for it.
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