When I had a baby a part of me seemed gone forever. I’m talking about that high-heel-strutting, makeup-wearing woman that thought a clutch was a perfectly sized purse and didn’t think twice about wearing white pants or dangling earrings. Yep, she’s gone. And, maybe the jeans and t-shirt girl that’s replaced her is more laid-back and fun, but sometimes I find myself reminiscing the “good-ol” days.
I had a chance to re-visit that pre-baby self on a week-long anniversary excursion that my husband and I took without our toddler. Packing for that trip was so much fun. I brought out the cocktail dresses that had been gathering dust in the back of my closet and my “makes me taller than my husband” heels. I found jewelry that had been long-forgotten, purses that don’t fit sippy cups, and skinny jeans that don’t work well when crawling on the floor with toddlers.
And while it felt good to get dressed up and go out child-free, I have to say, I missed the little guy. Sure, it was fun to go out and not have the first question be, “So how old is you kid?” But, the most important thing I learned is that I don’t have to flee my home and go across the country to regain what I enjoyed in my pre-baby self. Since my return, I’ve vowed to incorporate a little bit of my old-self in my new mom-routine. To me this means, putting on mascara even if my only excursion for the day is to my mailbox, and trading out my running shoes and track shorts for a dress and sandals (or even heels!) every now and then.
If going on a week-long journey sans-child isn’t in your future, I would encourage you to go through your closet, jewelry box, lingerie drawer and make up case. You’ll probably be re-united with some old friends, and ones worthy of making an appearance into your routine every once in awhile.
well, rest assured, and in all seriousness, your “everyday t-shirt and jeans” is what most of us aspire too! lookin’ good girl!