In celebration (???) of my upcoming 45th birthday, I have a notion to stage my own comeback of sorts. Of course, I am referring to Christopher Hopkins’ fabulous book (which I highly recommend you purchase if you are over 39, or maybe even if your mom is over 39), Staging Your Comeback
Sort of a DIY makeover, I plan to address topics like:
- a hairstyle change
- scheduled maintenance
- physical fitness
- my lifelong struggle with nailbiting
- and, of course, lots of what to wear!
Would anybody like to join me? Either for fun or for linkage.
Besides turning 45, here are some other times to consider taking a fresh look at your image:
- when entering the work-force, either after high school or after college
- about 7 years later, when all those clothes begin to look really dated 😉
- after your second (or any other number) baby
- when your kids leave home
- a career change, actual or desired
Anyone besides me feeling adventurous?
What a great idea! And a great way to build up your community.
I am totally in! I have a different kind of career change – I left teaching to be a full-time SAHM. After a year, I still haven’t lost any of the weight I gained while pregnant. I’ve already started in on some of the things you mentioned. Sign me up!
Leaving another comment since I forgot to subscribe. Did you know the subscribe to comments button is waaaayyyy down, far, far away from the comment box?
I’m game – as long as it’s not going to require too much energy. I don’t have much to give, but I am ready to shake off this “throw on some capris and whatever I can find because my bee-hind hurts and I have to go to the chiropractor” rut that’s been my archnemisis since February. That said, I actually look nice today. Now to keep the trend moving forward…
So when’s the big day? 🙂
Jennifer – thanks. I am afraid somehow the position of the subscribe to comments button is related to the length of the sidebar. That means heavy-duty blog template tinkering for me, I’m afraid. 🙁 But worth it. I’m glad you mentioned it now, because I have recently had a few ideas about stuff I’d like to do with the sidebar anyway.
Janel – I’ll have to pick the exact day as my social schedule for the fall develops. Christopher recommends choosing a special event at which to “make your entrance”. For certain, mine will not be prior to October 4th, the day of our Ministry Conference, where I am spotlighted in front of 1000 or so people. But, since I wear a uniform that day, if a dressy event comes up in October that will be the day.
This will be fun!
Oh, I wish I could play!
I have a few changes in the works — but I don’t think they’re enough to qualify as a “comeback”.
But I do know this is a series of post I will enjoy reading.
I’m just leaving home and starting my career, so I’d love to play too 🙂
Re: the nailbiting: I am a rare breed I would refer to as a nail “picker”… I’ve never bitten my nails, but when I get fidgety I habitually tear them shorter. Yeah, I know. Anyways, it’s been about two weeks pick-free and they’re just about to the ends of the pads of my fingers. It’s one of my few style resolutions for being a working girl. : )
Regular Maintenance (maybe the occasional manicure for good behaviour?), and physical fitness are also on my mental list.
Come January, my temporary work assignment ends and I’ll be scouting for something new. So this seems like the perfect time to stage a comeback! My list pretty much matches your list except for the nail-biting 🙂
I’m in. Ever since you called my hair boring, I’ve been FEELING boring. I have a hair appointment mid September and I *might* go dark and a bit shorter. I’m wondering what a flat iron would do to my wavy and sometimes frizzy hair. Weight loss is definitely on the agenda (as always — but it doesn’t get better when I stop trying). Trying to “de-frump” my wardrobe. And be more consistent with my make up, at least during the work week.
And I’ve already gone back to pantihose for work. My bare legs were just not cutting it professionally.
Good on you all! I’m interested to know what makes you decide to make a change, take control of your image and do something?
I’m actually very interested, not just because of my job, but also because I’m being interviewed for a magazine next week about this topic. Would you ever consider using an image consultant to help you with your transformation? I’d love any feedback on the following questions – from your points of view:
Who benefits most from an image consultant (age, line of work, emotional state, stage of career etc.)
• The value of an image makeover
These are some of the questions I’m being asked.
I know for myself as I’m turning 40 in a couple of months, I’ve decided that I need to improve my health and fitness (and stop eating so much chocolate). This was initially brought about by my brother (who is 41) being diagnosed as type 1 diabetic at the age of 40, no known reason. Watching him inject himself 3 times a day and constantly monitor his blood sugar made me realise that I never want to be diabetic if I can at all avoid it.
It’s almost time for fall/winter Wardrobe Therapy, which asks a lot of questions but does not give specific advice.
Would you rather I schedule it in tandem with what you’re doing, to share ideas, or that I keep it far away so that it doesn’t interfere with your project? Completely your call — it’s not the project in which I’m emotionally invested at the moment.
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This sounds great! I just turned 42, and am now working overseas — being over here I’m sort of “out of the loop” fashion-wise, I think —
Mostly I want to get in better shape, I never dreamed my body would “betray” me like this – getting a little plump, not as toned, a bit of chub around the waist — and I live in a place where my normal outdoor activities are impossible — but I need to do something!
I feel fine about my clothes, and do still wear the same clothing style more or less as I always have but it’s not really ‘dated” — knee-length pencil skirts, fitted twinsets or v-neck sweaters, or A-line skirts w/ capped-sleeve fitted blouses, stuff like that, which doesn’t scream any certain era (at least i don’t think so, hahaha) — but I am very picky about what looks good on me and even when i do buy trendy or current fashions it has to be flattering — otherwise I’m not in the least tempted!
my hair has been the same for years — bra-strap or waist length, slightly wavy/straight, side-swept bangs, often w/ a variety of hair accessories (bands, clips, etc) – I thought that when I turned 40 I’d have to cut it short since I always thought older ladies had thin, scraggly hair but mine is thick as ever, too thick at times (for instance during the humid rainy summers) — so decided just to let it be until it does get thinner and sparse — do have some white hairs intermingled but they aren’t really noticeable, my husband said he’d rather me have thick white hair instead of thin, stringy coloured hair so I don’t worry about the white!
overall I’m happy w/ my style, I don’t fit into any one category (young,old, wild, conservative, fussy, etc) — but I do love clothes shopping and helping my friends shop, I am sort of their unofficial shopping /style assistant so they must feel i like ok, hahaha
but I really am interested in what women my age are wearing and how they like to dress — really, we need more options for people who don’t want to do the whole leggings/gladiator sandals/etc thing — eek!!
You forgot ‘Retirement’ – as in never having to go to the office/classroom/shop, etc. again. And very few reasons to buy new clothes:-((
Biggest change for me was hairstyle (thanks to ‘hints’ from my daughters.) It was absolutely the right thing to do.
BTW, I just returned from a 50th high school reunion – husband’s, not mine, although we went to the same school. Everybody looked pretty good (50% of the class attended) – for their age..
Ellem – I’m glad you’re going to do it. 🙂 (Love to see a pic of your hair.)
Mom – you’re right, I forgot ‘retirement’. Not that anyone who had recently retired could! 😉
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