Pay more attention to my appearance

So many of my goals have been neglected but this one has started to become a little more second nature to me. I’m not where I want to be but I’m paying more attention to how I look whereas I use to not care at all.

As part of this, and of taking care of myself generally, I had an appointment with a dermatologist. I was very disappointed with the consultation – after paying a fortune to go private I felt I was kept waiting ages, got poor information from a nurse, a quick look-see by the dermatologist herself and a leaflet to take away. I expected more. However it did confirm my suspicion that I have rosacea. I’ve been prescribed meds to deal with it so we’ll see if they help.

I might be looking for a new dermatologist in the meantime though!

I’ve started “bothering” more with putting on a bit of light make up and throwing on a bit of jewellery. The difference is that it makes me feel better for paying myself that bit of attention.

A good while back I bought a load of nice lingerie and rather than just leave it in my drawer I’ve started wearing it regularly. I don’t know what I was saving it for! Still in the jeans and teeshirts but at least I’m dressed up underneath!

I’m happy with my hair – I’ve been wearing it down for a change. My skin is in fairly good condition but I’ve been wearing a tiny bit of make up whenever I’m out and about and I think I do feel better for it.

I didn’t go out today so I didn’t put on make up today but I’ve done it a couple of times this week, and worn a bit of jewellery.

I need to get my wardrobe sorted – I’ve always dressed for practicality and comfort which means jeans and casual tops and flat shoes but I’m going to have a think about developing my style away from the tomboyish look. Being overweight is a big reason why I’ve neglected this area. I’ve always told myself that I’ll buy nice clothes when I lose the weight but I think it’s worth trying to look as nice as I can in the here and now (cos losing weight is going to take a long time the way I’m going!) It can be hard to find nice clothes that flatter but I’m at least going to think about what would look good and keep my eyes open for nice things rather than just buy things without thinking.

Yesterday I put on make up before I went into town. Normally I wouldn’t bother but I had time to spare so thought I might as well do it. It made me feel more confident. I took the time to cleanse my face properly before I went to bed.

And today I decided to put on a nice shell pendant even though I wasn’t going out.

because I’ve always reacted against the image I feel women are supposed to live up to. I’m not the least vain woman I know but I must be near the top! I know that I can look nice when I’m “done up” but I always felt it was more honest somehow to display myself in my raw state.

That said, I am definitely not averse to a bit of girly stuff like clothes, make-up and jewellery but I’ve just never been into it too much.

I’ve thought about it a lot, and I’ve realised that I feel that good looks are not my strength – I was always the clever one or the nice one. And so I put my energies into developing those parts of me rather than my looks. I know I’ll never be gorgeous but it’s no reason to neglect this bit of me completely.

So this seems like a good goal for me.