Look Good, Feel Good

I was the kid in high school that wore sweats every day and not a stitch of makeup. Besides the fact that I didn’t even know where to start when applying makeup, I would sleep through multiple alarms (that my dad could hear from upstairs but I would not acknowledge 6 inches from my head) so there was never any time to try. Then in college I did a complete 180. I woke up an hour and a half before class JUST to do my hair and makeup – even after getting only 4 hours of sleep sometimes. I am happy to report that now I have a routine that takes me usually 25 minutes for my hair and makeup and even though the routine of wearing the exact same makeup looks everyday might be boring to some, I am a creature of habit and it works for me.

But then add kids. Add lots of kids.

I know my kids couldn’t care less what I look like – and, to be clear, when I am putting on makeup and one of my daughters walk in, I make sure to mention that I don’t need it, I just like it – and the school pickup line doesn’t require me to get out of my car at all (can I get a hallelujah?!) so I really could get away with no makeup on non-work days.

But I like the way I look with makeup on. And on days when I am exhausted because the baby has been up most of the night, and I’ve changed 4 poop diapers before 10am, and I see there is enough food under the table for an entire meal, it is so nice to pass by the mirror and glance at someone that at least looks confident rather than someone who could really use some wine already.

I don’t always have time for my 25 minute routine – my hair has been air drying in an almost acceptable way so I’ve been exclusively wearing a messy bun for the past month now – but today I took about 8 minutes, tamed my hair and threw on some eyeliner, shadow, foundation, concealer and mascara and honestly felt like I could take on the world. Or at least get through the next few hours of the day.

Maybe makeup isn’t your thing. Maybe your hair has to be done, the bed has to be made, your nails need polish or you need some quiet time in the morning for a devotional or cup of coffee.

The thing I’ve learned: do something each day that makes you feel human so when, yes WHEN, things go awry, you can feel better about handling the solution because you feel good.