I paint my nails for ME.

Once upon a time I was a young full time working woman who got dressed in professional clothes each morning. I had perfected completing my hair and make up in a set 17 minute routine and proudly walked out the door at 8:43am on the dot ready to represent the company I worked for. 

Then at 26 years old I had a baby girl and became a stay home mother leaving the career in the dust and trying to embrace this new job that seemed to more than double my work with none of the pay.  Over time I lost interest in heals, skirts, the curling iron, and anything not made of 100% cotton.  My signature outfit became either jeans and a hoodie or yoga pants and a tank top.  I feel the need to interject here that I have owned probably 25 pair of yoga pants in the last 7 years and not once ever taken a yoga class. So if you think getting a pair will motivate you to actually do the activity...it won't. I also own 9 pair of Nike running shorts and never run further than to the mailbox.

Each morning I changed out of the sweats I had slept in into one of my 2 signature looks, tossed my ever growing, more and more root showing, hair into a ponytail and called it all good.  Even the simple act of painting my nails had become a lost art.  I knew when I put on jeans and a nice sweater and Hubster would ask, "What are you all dressed up for?" that things had taken a turn for sure!  Just the fact that I was not in tennis shoes was enough for him to notice!

So, I made the decision to find a balance. Hell, I am only 32 years old! I deserve to look good while the wrinkles are minimal and my boobs are still pointing somewhat north! So I started simple. I painted my nails....bright coral. I jumped into the deep end and avoided the past regulars of soft pink and tan. Then I went tanning.  2 years in the Pacific NW had turned my complexion grey and milky.  I began devoting 15 min a day to stretching and light weight resistance. I bought a new shirt. It was NOT from the athletic department!  I got my hair trimmed for the 1st time in 2 years.  It felt great to walk out of that salon!

The point is I made a decision to make an effort on myself. Waking up each morning and walking out the door after having showered and taken the time to care about how I look makes ME feel better. I couldn't care less if anyone else notices. I don't have it down to my 17 minute record yet, but that's OK because now I don't have to be out the door at 8:43 am. Just a small change like this has changed my whole perception of leaving the career field to stay home with my mini me. I no longer feel like I gave up being pretty and girly to be a mom. I feel like I am showing my daughter that taking pride in yourself and how you present yourself to the world is important. My example of self esteem and self confidence is strong for her now. That I can be proud of.

So if you don't have any...get yourself a bottle of neon nail polish; even if you only wear it once for fun!