Let 2014 be the year of you
Beauty
Maggie Gibbons
‘Do I look fat in this?’ This is the one question that strikes terror into most god-fearing partners and friends. Does the asker really want to know, or should we bend the truth a little? You may even have asked yourself the question. When we do, it’s usually when we’re at our most insecure. If only we could focus instead on how we feel, as this hugely influences how we are perceived.
We all know the down days when it’s an effort to brush our hair, never mind dress up. With media messages concentrating on external packaging and the huge emphasis on body image, the pressure to look a certain way can be enormous.
It’s time to change our attitude to true beauty.
Transformation begins with a positive self image. I know it’s a well worn cliché, but it’s true. You need to start loving yourself. Start by embracing and accepting the face and body that have evolved over time. Accept your lines, that stubborn bit of fat around the middle – and accept it now. Why wait until you lose a few pounds? This is just soul destroying. I’m not saying don’t get fit, I’m just saying don’t be motivated by self loathing.
Thankfully, we are not the physical image we project, if we were then the messages we send out would indeed be mixed, depending on whether we were having a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ day.
New year resolutions… Have you made any this year? Forget about ‘big’ resolutions – we rarely keep them. This year, why not resolve to be kind to yourself, to let yourself shine. I’ve decided to do a whole lot of little things that will give great enjoyment not just to myself but also my girlfriends.
Create a ‘Treat/Memory Box’ for yourself, putting little gifts in it to be opened when you’re having a trying day – maybe some of the presents you got at Christmas? I’m putting some beautiful things in mine: A black lace eye mask, a couple of good books, Olay old-fashioned body/face cream full of nostalgia, a packet of Victorian cards that are wonderful to look at, some Biofresh Rose Oil for the fabulous smell, perfume that belonged to my mother, which is such a comfort still. I will add more niceties to it as time goes on. Then when I have one of my ‘girlie’ evenings, we’ll open the box and enjoy the contents, and maybe even have a good old pampering session.
Think of things that evoke pleasure, maybe that feeling of getting into a freshly made bed, that early morning cup of tea, a coffee with a good friend, a scented candle burning or some favourite music. The start of the year is a good time to take stock of the things that really matter.
Smile more, acknowledge people, take the time to chat when you meet someone you know instead of running past them explaining you’re in a hurry or as one friend of mine used to say ‘can’t stop, my ice cream will melt’! (She NEVER bought ice cream.)
Let this year be the one in which you stop and smell the roses – and keep a vase full of them on your table as a special treat to yourself!
Maggie Gibbons is an Image/Style Consultant based in Louisburgh. She can be contacted at living@mayonews.ie.
