Story time: six months after I had my son, my best friend got married. I was honored to be a part of her special day and she even let us pick out the style of dress. Being newly postpartum, not feeling great about myself and adjusting to the financial responsibility of a new life, I picked the cheapest dress I could find. I was also offered the opportunity to get hair and makeup done, but I skipped that and chose to do it myself. I look back at pictures and remember how badly I felt about the way I looked. I felt beyond frumpy. Fast-forward nearly four years and my best friend from childhood was getting married. Again, I was beyond honored to be a part of this special day. With memories of the previous wedding swirling around, I made sure not to repeat history. I picked a style of dress I actually liked. I took a trip to the nail salon and chose to get my hair and makeup done.
I enjoyed both weddings in their own way. I was honored to be a part of both, but if this story could teach you the same lesson it taught me, it would be that IT IS OKAY TO INVEST IN YOURSELF.
Yes, the pampering came at a cost, but with such a special occasion, why not?
As moms we so often put other people before ourselves and we prioritize our family’s needs over our own. I am as guilty as they come when it comes to that behavior, but I know now that it is perfectly fine to take some time to make yourself feel great.
If you don’t have a wedding or special event to go to, make one for yourself. I have made it a tradition to buy myself a new dress around my birthday. I have never been one to go overboard with birthday celebrations, but usually my husband insists on a birthday dinner date. I usually hit up Ross, T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, etc. as they have dresses for reasonable prices. This year, right around my birthday, we celebrated Knoxville Moms turning a decade. I chose to get something a little fancier than usual for the occasion. I was worried I would be overdressed and I joked with a couple of the girls about it. Even if I was overdressed, I still loved my dress and felt great wearing it. So if you’re a little overdressed, who cares?
