Ok dear reader, I’m asking you to bear with me on this one. This may well all come out as a stream of consciousness as I have thoughts racing around my head and just not sure what order they’re all going to come out!
I had what I thought were two very distinct issues I wanted to share and somehow they’ve merged into one rather bizarre blog.
I’ve learned over the years to go with my instinct so hope you can follow the leap I’m asking you to make!
First off I want to say that the process of divorce stinks. It brings out the worst in both parties which is I guess what the marriage was doing so hence the reason for the divorce. What’s bothering me the most is how dis-empowered I feel after every communication I currently have with Mr Ex. This dis-empowered woman is not the ME I now recognise as my true and authentic self. I have learned to admire and respect this woman over the past few years and it royally pisses me off that she is instantly weakened when an email lands in the inbox.
I have spent days in tears fighting internally, one moment wanting to cave in and end this long and drawn out process and the next determined to fight for what I feel is a fair settlement for my children and me. I have cried tears of anger, frustration, regret, guilt and sadness.
There are some people who do see my tears, see my vulnerability but plenty of others who don’t – this is the mask I wear.
And this is where the two blogs meet!
One miserable Saturday recently to cheer myself up I booked into a make up update lesson at my local department store with my favourite make up of the moment – Bobbi Brown.
I remember someone telling me that having tidy eyebrows gives an instant face lift – I agree. I also believe that updating our usual make up habits has the same effect. What I love about the Bobbi Brown ethos is her desire to help us with subtle make up be more of who we are. In 30 short minutes I was shown a few easy steps to bring my make up up-to-date and shown just how easy it is to apply. I am lazy when it comes to spending time on beauty regimes and it has to be straightforward and quick. Yes, I did make a couple of purchases but never once did I feel pressured into doing so……..Oh and by the way the consultation was FREE!
So question time! When was the last time you cleared out your make up bag? Are you wearing the same make up you were 10 years ago? Are you still wearing Miners kohl in iridescent lilac or turqouise? Is your make up more Cyndi Lauper than Bobbi Brown?! Have you ever had a make up lesson?
But I guess the question I’m much more interested in is What mask do you wear that prevents you being your authentic self? How does it serve you? Perhaps it might be useful just simply to be aware that we all do wear masks at some time, most of us are unaware that we do in the first place.
So now when I wear my mask I know it’s still me behind it thanks to Bobbi Brown!
Photo credits : Rainbow eyes by dreamglowpumpkincat210 and Bobbi Brown palette by ookikioo
Sign up for my 7 Top Tips for Midlife: Inspiring The Second Half of Your Life
You will also receive my popular Monday Morning Food for Thought emails and be the first to know of workshops and online programmes I’m creating.
Hi Rebecca,
I have never worn make-up as a mask although I know plenty of women who do. For me, not wearing make-up is a mask. I am not talking about feeling relaxed with my bare skin around the house or on holiday, but I have found the times that I stop caring about what I wear on my face when I go out, reflects the times when I don’t want to be noticed or visible.
P.S. I love Bobbi Brown, I discovered the range when I was going through divorce too!