Weekend clothes. Who can’t help but love them, jogging suits, fleece hoodies, flannel sleep pants. I think we all look forward to them especially during this cold and wintery time of year.
My problem this month has been they are no longer weekend clothes but my daily attire. This upsets me a little because I was never this way before. Now that I am no longer working outside the home I’m finding this dress to be my norm.
I’ve been away from home visiting my niece whose husband is away on business for a month and I’m taking care of her four-month-old while she is at work and I find myself in the house and it is lonely.
I don’t see anyone, I’m not going anywhere, the baby is demanding and needs constant care and at times I feel exhausted and showering and dressing up is just one more thing to do. It occurred to me so many people who are caring for their loved ones are going through this very same thing every day.
I’m sure the question, Why bother?, comes to many peoples’ minds, especially on the cold and dreary wintery days. I decided today that I have beautiful sweaters from Christmas that I haven’t even worn so I made today “No Weekend Dressing Day”.
I put on my cream turtleneck and my camel cordoroy pants and, while I still have the demands of the baby, I do feel better. It is difficult to want to keep ourselves up when we are tired and stressed and overwhelmed but I think it is important that we try.
Seeing my sad reflection for the past month is not working for my high spirits. I said, I must change this up. Now I’m not saying I won’t wear my sweats anymore because I’m sure that will be my attire again tomorrow. It’s fine to be comfortable in this hard role we are in right now but I’m making a vow that, at least twice a week, it will be no weekend dressing from now on.
I will invite someone over for coffee to give me an incentive if I must. My husband’s uncle said that in assisted living you must come down for your meals fully dressed. He said, he doesn’t always want to do it but must.
If he can do it so I can I. Find that reason, make it just be for yourself. That is what I did today and I must say I do feel a little more cheerful. I’m still lonely but look prettier.
Donna, Donna, reading my mail again! I worked for almost 20 years in the retail/managment fields, had to dress nice, or where a uniform type of dress. Had makeup on everyday, hair done and so on. Now, the last 4 years, it is no makeup, hair so so, and wearing whatever is comfortable for me. No one sees me most of the time, except mom and husband (he is flannels and bluejeans due to work. When I go to church I am dress or casual, makeup for sure and hair done and of course jewelry. My logic has been, why use up my makeup when no one will see me, why dress in my nice stuff and risk getting who knows what kind of thing on me while taking care of mom, or cleaning. I don’t even wear earings anymore unless it is for going to church. The other thing with make up is my eyes are greatly affected by makeup and will burn and get irritated for at least 2 days. So, many excuses, and for me they all are relavant. Do I like how I look at home, nope, but that I am comfortable and able to do the things I need to do is more important for me at this point.
Donna Webb´s last blog ..What is Normal to a Caregiver is Not Normal to Others
Yes. You do this for yourself. Do the face, do the hair and feel good when y ou look in the mirror. It keeps your spirits and if you get a surprise visitor, you are spiffy and ready to put out the welcome mat. With all you give in your caregiving, you “owe” it to yourself to look your best, even if it is wearing sweats.
Mabel, thank you for your nice comment. I just now had a chance to read it.
Donna, I agree with your comments as well. Of course it is difficult to put on the good clothes and have them ruined but it is also wonderful that you go to church and find a reason to put on something pretty. It gives you something to look forward to but I totally understand and respect your comment very much. Im heading into a blizzard trip so for sure I am not planning on makeup and jewelry the next few days myself. I just meant every now and then (not everyday) to put on what I call it when I have on makeup “my face”..:)
Yeah, I know what you mean Donna. I put on my face too, and I actually miss wearing makeup, doing my hair nice, dressing decent, wearing jewelry, like I did when I was working, but for now, it is only an occasional event. Be safe out there go very slow!
Donna W´s last blog ..The Long Goodbye