Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Wednesday 13 May 2009

Hmmm I'm thinking I need to revamp my 'grooming' routine. I was told yesterday that I look "shite". OK, so it was put slightly differently but that word was definitely used and I was the topic of the conversation. And she spoke to my manager afterwards and soon I was presented with a new uniform order form to complete (with big smiles) and advice that I should wash my clothes with the lights, etc. (for anyone that wants to know, I don't have enough clothes to divide into light and dark loads - that a family thing, not a single person thing. I do use stain remover and soak whites though)

Been stewing over it since yesterday because I simply couldn't make up my mind what I thought of hearing that. Should I pretend I didn't hear it, should I think the message-bearer is just superficial and judgemental or should I look at my appearance and see what I think.

So far I've decided a bit of the last two - The woman that said it, who's often really nice but can be a bit of a .... ummm... I don't know. You know those steriotypical ppl? Kinda like Keeping Up Appearances that drive a 4wd with 7 seats to carry three kids plus friends to all sorts of extra curricular events. Has her kitchen redone in the latest styles, uses the words "hideous" and "devine"... you know what I mean?

OK so I'm babbling. I've decided she's too superficial for me and that maybe I should do something about my appearance. I don't know what that is though. I keep my clothes clean and I have showers. I do my hair (well, I either brush it or put it in a pony tail - I only have two hair styles). I rarely wear any makeup... sometimes some lip gloss if I'm in the mood. I don't wear jewellery. I keep my eyebrows and nails manicured and I keep my hair dye up so I don't have roots (for too long). Isn't that enough? I guess I'm lazy. I go through phases of remembering to use moisturiser but then I go through phases of not using it.

I don't know. What should I do?

Update to previous blog entries:
The better eating only lasted to Wednesday. I didn't plan properly, got hungry without having food prepared and that was the end of that. I don't know how to plan :(

As for the exercise blitz, I hurt my back and as this is the third time this year, my trainer and I have realised this is going to be a permanent issue we need to be aware of. So I'm doing "rehab" on it at the moment, nothing strenuous.

3 comments:

  1. Good day, Erica.

    I like the way you're approaching this kind of awkward situation. You're considering the source. And you're trying to assess if there's any truth to what that source said. That's reasonable, in my book.

    I'm no beauty and style expert so I can't really comment intelligently about your routine. It seems perfectly fine to me, I must say.

    Maybe you might relay this experience to a close female friend or family member and see what they think as well. They might tell you that this co-worker is "off her rocker" or that you could use a little make-over. But at least it would come from a trusted source who has your best interest in mind.

    My wife is the one that always keeps me from embarrassing myself due to my appearance. :-) I do all the basics but I sometimes cut corners or embrace my male/style ignorance. That's when she'll point things out to me. It's a reality check so to speak. And we both know that this world does evaluate us, in part, by our appearance - whether it's our dress, hair style or weight, etc. So, it's important on some level.

    In any event, you can come out of this ahead of the game. If you decide that you want to change something ... then you'll have benefited from this unpleasant experience. If you decide to keep things the same ... then you'll at least have considered the possibility of change and decided against it.

    The planning issue is tough for me too. It's just like the diet itself. The more you force yourself to stick to it, the easier it gets. It's like targeting a muscle. It gets stronger as we force ourselves to exercise it. It's all about determination and training, I think.

    I hope your back mends very soon. :-)

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  2. Erika, I had a similar situation a few years ago. My supervisor loudly announced in front of all my co workers that I needed a haircut because my hair looked like crap. I was in the process of growing it out from a very short man's style. At the time my supervisor made his announcement my hair was shoulder length and all different layers. I decided to get a haircut even though I thought I didn't need one. I was still angry, but the next day when I went to work after my haircut I got so many compliments on my new style that I felt much better.
    I get really lazy about girly make-up & fixing my hair. Yesterday I decided to wear makeup for the first time in months. I put on so much I had to wash my face and start all over.

    I babble too....

    Maybe she just meant your uniform didn't look nice anymore? Is it very old?

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  3. Yep, it's old. I'm sure that's what she meant. I also had the straight-cut version and not the tailored version. I now have the tailored version (by an ordering error on my part) and it's ok. I think it makes my tummy look big but I guess it's better to be honest.

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