Over Thanksgiving weekend I saw a comedian, John Heffernan who went through a funny bit about how he is currently living with his wife, his sister in law, his 16 year old stepdaughter, and his 4 year old niece. He talked about coming home at the end of the day and the 4 year old would be fully decked out in heels, jewelry, and full Princess gear while everyone else was wearing sweats or some version therein. His point was that only the four year old cared enough to dress up for him.
Funnier when he said it (which is why he is a stand up comedian though to be honest I think I am funnier than the woman who followed him on stage, who will remain nameless) but really, funny because how true it is in my house. My daughters are OBSESSED with being “fancy” (damn you, Jane O’Connor and Fancy Nancy) so much so that they wear ONLY dresses, at all times, and tiaras whenever possible.
I on the other hand, ESPECIALLY since beginning my work-at-home phase, am beginning to find even myself a disappointment. But it seems so absurd to put on anything beyond comfy pants (I mean at this point I even try to avoid jeans if possible) to sit around with my girls. I remember the advice of one professional work-from-homer who said she made a point of putting on panty hose every day that she was working. Let’s be honest, I don’t put on panty hose if I’m actually going out somewhere!
Another bit of recent advice was to, at a minimum, put on earrings. That jewelry made the difference.
I have been trying here and there (if for no other reason than that I should wear my 2 4-year-old cashmere sweaters before the moths eat them entirely). I have been putting on mascara every day. I’ve tried to mix it up with some jeans. I’ve taken the fact that my husband asked his family to give me pajamas for Christmas so that he didn’t see my 15 year old t-shirts every night to heart, and have been busting out those pajamas instead…soft, cuddly, worthy of being worn every day (and they are).
One of my consulting clients asked me to come into the office for Monday and I am unreasonably excited about the prospect of wearing normal clothes. And, if I am honest with myself, I know that whether it is superficial or not I do feel better if I take the time to slap on a little makeup; I put in earrings the other day to great critical reviews (by my girls) – I suppose it wouldn’t kill me to try a little harder, if only for myself.
What do YOU do to keep yourself feeling human?
