The View From Childhood: The Importance of Your Appearance at Home
by Charlotte Siems
Girly. What does that word mean to you? Pink feather boas and flaming red high heels come to mind. Bling, sparkles and lace. Tea parties and coffee with girlfriends.
Somehow femininity has gotten a bad rap. Those who scoff and think it means weakness don’t understand the true strength of a woman who knows who she is and isn’t afraid to live it.
Busy women can get in a rut of “sensible” clothing and plain, serviceable shoes. Or worse yet, a daily uniform of t-shirt, jeans and flip flops. After all, we’re going to get fingerprinted with peanut butter and we’ve got that shower to scrub. Who cares what you wear at home, right?
Ahem. If your memorial service were held next week, what would be your family’s memories of you? What photos of you would show up in the slide show? “I remember Mom always wore that Eskimo Joe’s t-shirt and the jeans with the ripped back pocket.” (Sorry, I just attended a funeral and it got me to thinking).
What childhood impressions do you want to leave? It’s worth thinking about.
Do your young children know the swish of a skirt? Do they ever see you in a fresh color with pretty touches of lace? When you put on makeup and fix your hair do they ask where you’re going?
Yes, I know it’s not realistic to wear pearls and heels to do housework. But how about a cheerful apron and some earrings?
You are building memories every single day, memories for your marriage and your family. Those little touches do matter. For instance, fragrance: perfume, scented lotion, or clean soap smell. A pleasant whiff when Mom walks by. Our sense of smell is keenly tied to memory.
When’s the last time you bought something really girly? Something sparkly or lacy and definitely not practical. Whether you wear it in the kitchen or the bedroom, it might just put a spring in your step as you feel pretty and feminine.
Let’s get down to the nitty gritty. What condition are your underthings in? Cotton underwear with stretched out elastic strings hanging down, or smooth microfiber unmentionables in a delicious color? Undergarments that used to be white but are now a grayish unknown color or a peachy-pink lace-trimmed little something? Maybe no one but you and your husband see them, but uh, I rest my case.
Don’t underestimate the effect of your clothing and grooming on your day. On the days when you fix your hair, put on makeup and dress pretty, you feel better about yourself. You know you do.
Just a friendly little neighborhood reminder that your family is watching you. Make the view a little more pleasant.
“Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things - I am tempted to think there are no little things.” ~ Bruce Barton
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This article was first published by This Lovely Place with Charlotte Siems. To receive Charlotte's "Secrets for Keeping Your Home Together When You Feel Like Your Life is Falling Apart," go to ThisLovelyPlace.com and claim your free guide NOW!
