Hello beautiful people!
In the interest of embracing 45 (the official "auntie" age, in my humble opinion), I’ve been doing a lot of reflection. Yes, I’ve been trying to improve my health, but I don’t want to forget the fun stuff. And by that, I mean the things I truly find enjoyable. And what I find enjoyable is changing up my appearance.
The Early Days
My mama didn’t let me do my own hair until 6th grade. But when she relaxed my hair and let me take over... I had the time of my life! I understand now (with unrelaxed hair) why she chose to wait until I had relaxed hair to allow me to be my own stylist. There's no way my inexperienced behind could have handled all that hair! However, I kept with the maintenance routine my mama had set up for me over the years. Those early days of Soft & Beautiful moisturizer and rollers taught me self-love and pride.
From the time my mama allowed me to pick out my own barrettes, my hair has always been my creative canvas. At 15, I got my first real haircut A bob. A good bob will never steer you wrong! By senior year of high school, I was rocking the pixie up top and long in the back. You know the look. A 90s must-have for all the girlies!
From there, the hair transformations kept coming. Especially when I started experimenting with wigs. And the clothes! The looks! The coordinating pieces! Back in my early working years, I wore heels almost every day. Work was truly my personal fashion show. I even wore heels to the grocery store. And you best believe I had a belt and a bag to match. I did THE MOST!
But somewhere between motherhood and just… life, I fell off a little. I don't like that.
Act II
Now, I’m getting back to who I am, not necessarily who I was. I'm no longer that 120lb petite girl with the booty. The booty got bigger, and the body has expanded to match! 😂 Here's what I know: size doesn't determine style, but knowing what compliments your body is key. A lot of what I own just doesn’t do that anymore. Compliment. Some of my boots wouldn’t even zip up this past winter, and those “strap around the ankle” heels now make my legs look shorter and thicker. Tree stumps, if you will. And I won't even bother telling you about the clothes that now accentuate my waist in the worst of ways. 😬
Instead of getting down about what doesn’t fit or “look right,” I’m focused on creating looks that do. Because who bout to be down and out over some clothes? Not me. And not you. We are beautiful at every stage, phase, and size in our lives. So yes, work on your health, but also enjoy the process of enhancing and evolving your look. It doesn’t have to be major either. For example, my hair is short and natural now, but I experiment with different colors for a little razzle dazzle. With clothes, I'm learning that a fashionable belt with short flowy dress, gives me the perfect look. I also know that just because someone wears the same size or is the same height as me, doesn’t mean the same pieces will compliment me in the same way. Each one of us has to find what works for our unique body type and style. I’ve decided to have FUN doing just that.
All these little discoveries help me see myself in a new light. They keep me motivated. No, I'm not doing the most like I did back in my early 20s, but this works for me. And if doing the most works for you, I'm right here cheering you on! Because one thing about a Black woman, she gon' put that 'ish ON! Bloop!
Bottom line, we are beautiful at every stage, phase, and size in our lives. Change is inevitable, but the power lies in how we accept and embrace it. Stay beautiful and keep evolving! Until next time, my loves!
Ingrid
1273 Highway 184, Monticello, Mississippi 39654
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