Group Discussions

The Wake Up Call

On Friday I woke up with a pain in my lower right abdomen and went to the hospital for a stay of four days while tests were run and I was prepared for a colonoscopy. I thought it might be appendicitis, but thankfully it turned out to be the early stages of an acute colon infection that responded very well to antibiotics. I am at home now, resting. FOrtunately not much work to do so I can just rest.

BUT. Friday night my husband and daughter were at home and called me to see what clothes they should bring me. And that is when it really hit me that I need to overhaul my clothing life.

Underwear, all once white cotton, now all discolored from being washed with colored clothes; some of them with tears and rips. Pajamas, at least ten years old. Socks, only white sport socks left. I cringed at the idea of them putting this bag together.

Once upon a time, a long time ago I was a tall, slim woman with an extensive, quirky wardrobe. I was usually the most fashionable woman in any room and had fun playing with my hair. I was often asked if I was a model or on television. My grad students told me I should not be an editor but a V-jay (!!).

Then pregnancy, death of my dear father, depression, weight gain of 45 pounds...at one point I exercised it all off and was really fit, but then a chronic illness struck me down for a while and then I developed thyroid issues..blah...blah...end result, I put back on the 45 pounds. And somewhere along the line I vowed I would not buy myself anything except the very basics until I was within at least healthy parameters (my BMI is over 30. By healthy I mean something like 25)...and the years have passed...et voila! an empty closet!

My daughter is 15 and is a fashionable young thing. I shop for my husband if I see something he would like while passing. But nothing for myself. Over and over again.

The hospital was a bright, stark-white moment of "a-ha"...

Flag as inappropriate Posted by KatieK on 9th October 2007
I know this feeling. After I had my son and lost most of the weight I had gained during pregnancy, I took a hard look at my clothes and got rid of the things that were making me feel like a fat old lady (at 26!!). I threw out ALL of my underwear (that I had had since HIGH SCHOOL) and bought myself nice, new things that actually fit. I got a new pair of hott-butt jeans and some new shirts that I let be only for times without my son (at work or out with my husband). It was amazing how such a small amount of money and effort made me feel like a new person. I just had to tell myself that I was worth it!

Flag as inappropriate Posted by heels on 9th October 2007
KatieK - first of all, I hope you're feeling better!

I think heels says it right - we all have to remember that we deserve to treat ourselves well. I used to be ridiculously cheap when it came to buying clothes for myself. Not frugal, cheap. And then one day I spilled something on my pants and had to run out to a store to get a new pair, because there was no time to rush home before the important meeting. I remembered everyone raving about this Theory brand, so I went and spend an insane amount of money on a pair of black pants.... that made me look AMAZING! It's silly, but it really changed my perspective. I am still really frugal and I can't really afford $250 pants right now, but I try to make sure that I have clothes that I like and that make me feel good. I don't think it's shallow, it's important.

A fun shopping trip ahead for you!

Flag as inappropriate Posted by Nataly on 9th October 2007
I think I'm in a similar position to you KatieK. My closet is very blah or full of things that don't fit. The thing is though that I'm still losing pregnancy weight. I already did the underwear shopping trip, which made me feel fabulous! I bought a new pair of jeans, but I've already lost some more weight so they are getting a little saggy around the butt area. I am so ready to be out of this in between stage! Getting dressed in the morning should be fun, and right now it just isn't. I hope you find things that are the perfect fit for you!

Flag as inappropriate Posted by mamajama on 10th October 2007