It’s tough to catch some glam in an otherwise pretty non-glamorous life. In the 21st century, who isn’t overstressed, overwhelmed and overbooked? The roles of today’s women today has multiplied to the point where even the strongest of us has stretched her limits, leaving her without any time or energy for herself. Which woman hasn’t been guilty of eating her children’s leftover cereal and calling it breakfast? Who hasn’t thrown the nearest shmatta over her head and a long coat to cover the old clothes she’s wearing on a trip to the store?
I’ve experienced this syndrome myself, saying I’m too tired to dress nicely or too busy to sit down to a balanced meal. The end result was that I was tired, lethargic, lost patience with my kids, was sloppy with my work…take it from me, it was a bad day. The truth is, no one can run on full throttle, all the time, without something giving. Without investing a few moments during the day for ourselves, we will run out of speed too soon, and have nothing left over to give all the other important people in our lives.
So, in the interest of working not just harder but also smarter, I resolve to:
1. Stand up straight. It doesn’t take any extra time, makes me look ten pounds thinner, saves my back and helps me breathe better.
2. Enjoy my clothing. It takes just as much time to put on a nice skirt and fitted top as it does to put on the same long jean skirt and black t-shirt I’ve been wearing since 2001. And really, what am I saving my expensive dresses for? While I’m at it, I will invest in a few nice pairs of pajamas instead of wearing my husband’s old t-shirts.
3. I will moisturize everyday. I will also use makeup daily, taking a few seconds to apply some quick dabs of concealer, bronzer and mascara for the days that I’m just doing errands on the avenue. For insta-glam, I will utilize a pair of big sunglasses (my favorites are aviators) that I can just plop on my face to hide the effects of last night’s all-nighter with the baby.
4. I’ll admit, I love getting manicures, but being a working mom with three children, I tend to use my hands a lot, and the manicures don’t last. Therefore, I will limit my manicures, but have my eyebrows professionally shaped. This is a cheaper option, as it’s only needed every three weeks or so, and does a tremendous amount in defining the face.
5. I will eat at the table. Mealtimes will be a break from the hustle and bustle of the day, a time to eat meditatively and focus on the delicious tastes and textures of the food. I will eat at the table, with a real plate and utensils, and drink with a straw to prevent discoloration of my teeth.
I will avoid overeating to prevent feeling lethargic and sluggish, though indulging in a delectable piece of chocolate in moderation is an easy way to get some endorphins to the brain.
6. My bedroom will be a sanctuary. I will banish all toys and children from my room every night, prepare a delicious cup of tea or a soothing glass of wine, light some candles, dim the lights and just relax!
7. I will pay attention to and remark on the beautiful things around me. I will open the shades in my home and office to let in the natural light. I will have flowers on the table so that our dinners can be brightened by their vibrant colors. I will kiss and caress my children’s beautiful faces and thank G-d for giving them to me.
By incorporate those few simple tactics, my day will be more joyful, pleasurable and glamorous. I owe this not just to myself, but also to all those around me. I can only give as much as I have, and when I run out of steam, it affects all my relationships. So in the interest of being the best me I can be, I’ll also be the best maintained me I can be.
Pnina Baim holds a B.S. in Health and Nutrition from Brooklyn College and a MS.edu from Yeshiva University’s Azrieli Program. She works as a nutritionist and a freelance writer. Contact Pnina at [email protected].