DRESSING UP FOR NO REASON
So I've had a baby. I had a pretty traumatic birth, had a C-section followed by sepsis. Let's just say this post partum period hasn't been so great overall. It can be really easy to fall into a habit of just staying at home, sitting in bed and feeling overwhelmed, down and lonely. That's how I felt most days.
See, that's the thing about motherhood that they don't tell you. Motherhood can be an incredibly lonely journey. Sometimes friends stop asking you out, assuming that because you've had a baby, you are always going to say no. I guess this assumption is based in truth, because nine times out of ten, ever since I've had a baby, I have become that flaky friend. Sometimes I accept invitations when I have lots of energy, only for the day and time of the appointment to come and I have no energy to give. Literally nothing at all to give.
As I've been home more, I guess I settled into a new mummy uniform. What's that you may wonder? Breast milk stained t-shirts, old jogging bottoms, my Ghanaian ntoma … I feel like I haven't worn any decent clothing in three months and yet if I look back that's a reflection that is overwhelmingly true.
However one morning, I woke up and fought for myself. I felt like dressing up. I didn't have anywhere to go apart from my walk around the river but I wanted to feel special. So I looked through all the clothes that I put into storage when I became pregnant and as I looked through I caught sight of my beautiful black faux fur jacket. That was it. That's the outfit. As I felt the soft faux fur it reminded me of so many good memories that I decided to wear it that very day.
I did my hair, put some makeup on, put a headband, heels and a bag and that was it. As for me, I don't feel myself without a statement coat. And off I went, out of the door … Where was I going? the river walk to Tesco. Nowhere special but I did feel good going on a 30-minute walk dressed to the nines. I encourage you to do the same.
Whenever you're feeling in a rut, put some makeup/ skincare on, do your hair, wear your favourite outfit and walk out of the door. Even if you have nowhere to go, sometimes putting on clothing that makes you feel good actually does make you feel good. It's a lesson I'm learning everyday as it's easy for me to wear a nightgown 7 days in a row.
Do you dress up to go nowhere, even if it’s to your front room? Let me know in the comments below. I'd love to know if it's a way you cope with feeling down.
