When My friend Sharon suggested that I enter my name in The Fabulous at 50 draw for a makeover I was hesitant, this was never really a part of my experience to be pampered.
Although this entire experience appeared to focus on the exterior I truly felt an interior shift through it all. As a mom to 5 kids taking time for myself is not always at the top of the list, actually it is somewhere near the bottom. Every single person I met through this was truly interested in me as a person not just my appearence. The conversations and encouragement- the support and outpouring of generosity touched me in ways that are difficult to describe. I felt important, that I was worth the time and the effort! Often as a mom my own needs are viewed by me as unimportant or too much of a bother. I was surrounded by women who are successful, empowering, encouraging and supportive. I appreciate the amazing haircut, the fabulous outfit and bag, the sparkling jewelery, and the fact that I now have perfectly shaped eyebrows! Being pampered over these weeks made me feel like I was worth the bother, allowed me to focus on myself and my needs for a while. But honestly - the amazing women that I met that helped me "make over" my attitude towards taking care of myself have left a lasting impact. The day of the make over I had a job interview afterwards. I walked into that interview filled with confidence and bursting with the shared energy of so many fabulous women! Of course I got the job!
Yes, I had the fun experience of being "made over" my phyisical exterior was changed, I dressed up, polished up and looked fantastic! But truly being pampered and cared for, supported and encouraged - in a word "loved" by so many women helped to "make over" my attitude towards myself. And that I will keep with me where ever I go!
Thank you!
Kim
My makeover experience was..., well,... fabulous, but interestingly not just for reasons of confidence and polish, although I got that in spades.No, what I found so moving and wonderful for me was to see women rally around, really believing in each individuals potential, in lending a hand to make that potential realized. In one case it was a stylist who went the extra mile to figure out who I was, and what would best reflect my personality. In another case it was a women working in a shop who pulled out overlooked items that volia, made an outfit really work. In another instance it was sharing a laugh and a little bit more about the wonderful women who gave skin care products and make-up advice. When it came right down to it, we are all human, occupying our own skin, trying to be as true to ourselves as possilbe. And the women on the makeover team, knew that. They didn't try at all to change me, they chose to enhance and let a little bit more of me shine through. It was a heartening and humbling experience and it made me proud and happy to be a proud and happy woman over fifty...with fifty times fifty wonderful proud and happy sisters who see celebration as a reflection of the best self you can be.
Margaret