4 Likes
10 CommentsAfter reading Kelly's and Erin's blogs this morning (great stuff, ladies!), I am inspired to spread the "Real Me" Movement.
I do not advocate the notion of "tough if you don't like it" in-your-face kind of combative "real me-ness", but I am getting more comfortable at doing/wearing/enjoying what I like, rather than worry too much about how strangers will judge my every move.
I am becoming my mother. But you know what? Despite her flaws and foibles, my mom was actually one of the nicest people out there (to those she wasn't related by blood to). So, I am having a great time engaging with the general public more and more (this will also help me market myself better), and despite the bewilderment this sometimes leads to, it's more "the real me" than being all cool and aloof. My biggest kick is to just compliment the hell out of someone (usually a shop-clerk), whether it's their tatoos (hey, I don't want one, but I can appreciate the art of it), or fingernails, or hair-do, etc. But I am also staying true to my 30-year resolution to NOT let my family suffer my silence when it comes to showing/saying my love and devotion to them. I want them to resent me for comepletely different reasons than the ones I resented my mom for!
So, c'mon, get on the anytime, anyplace "real me" train. (Unless the "real you" is really nasty, then get on the "George Kastanza" train and just do everything the opposite of what is your first inclination). Wear those red gloves, orange crocs (although I would beg some restraint here), new haristyle, favorite color, awesome hat, whatever speaks you to you.
Since I have always loved vintage, and now that I have the Goodwill Bin Store, I can get it for $1.10 a pound, I have made (for me) a pretty gutsy decision. I needed new glasses, and I needed bifocals, so I got glasses that are, well, a lot like my mother's. Tortise-shell cat-eyes (although hers had diamonte trim). I went around feeling a wee bit silly at first--they are kind of big--but I really love being able to SEE better. Then, I went to my family gathering over the holidays. My cousin David--the one who lives in Japan, and was in Sendai when the earthquake/tsunami hit--was there in his most stylish "he-ness". Metrosexual, shiny leather blazer, groomed to the nth degree, Japanesey savoir fair-ness. And he said to me, "Y'know Missy, how sometimes you say 'that woman's hair, or dress, or whatever is wearing her'? Well I say, "You are WEARING those glasses!".
I knew I loved him for a reason. So here is me, with my big new glasses, and a very cool "Wintuck" sweater I scored at the Bin store, with some color-coordinated pals at Disney's Animal Kingdom:
Now, what's your favorite "me-ness" that you won't let modern sensibilties or inhibitions rob you of? It can be anything. It can be subtle, or bold; permanent of changeable; POW! or puff; anything that reminds you of you, or the you you want to gain back. Or re-invent.
Show us YOUr stuff! And hooray for 2012! The Real You Year!
