From the archives: Change in fashion, change in life

So yesterday I guess I looked weird.  I wore a grey Dave Matthews Band concert tee I got this labour day weekend with a sparkly undershirt that peeked out and black wool dress pants and pointy heels.  Sort of merged a few worlds there.  Nicole saw me at the office and made a little “oh dear” kind of face, then asked if I’d gone a little nutty while she was on vacation.

The truth is, maybe I have a gone a little nutty.  I know for sure I’ve changed.  I just visited some friends in Edmonton, and the one who picked me up from the airport told me that he could tell right away I was different; in a better place mentally and emotionally.  He said he could tell by the headband I was wearing: it was fun and stylish rather than uptight and stylish.  The last time that friend visited me was almost 3 years ago…and he and his wife laugh about how I was like June Cleaver gone corporate in my black Club Monaco Shirt dress, heels and rubber gloves scrubbing the kitchen manically.  During my years in the business community, I developed a reputation for being impeccably dressed; that’s how I started my image consulting company.  Style and proportion come easily to me…balance does not.  The shift that has taken place in my life has been difficult to make, and it’s taken quite a while.  The hardest part has been learning to relax…everything.

So now, I am more calm, I am peaceful, I am happy.  And I like wearing t-shirts and scarves instead of dresses and button-up shirts.  I exercise and sleep now instead of network and work.  I read books instead of attend parties.  And I want to dress like no one is watching.  The funny thing is…I think this change makes more of an impact for the people watching than me always dressing like I’m off to a ladies luncheon. 

I like the new me.