Believe in yourself!
It’s my last entry – hooray!
So what have I learned about myself? Was it worth doing?
I would say a resounding yes, yes, yes!!
I definitely feel different, I am dressing differently, I’m spending more time on my appearance…and I feel much more confident.
So many people are commenting on this that it’s boosting my self esteem even more.
But this is the real world and we all know that not everything is perfect. So what didn’t work?
Well I discovered – actually I’m lying, I confirmed as I kind of already knew – that I hate exercise!!!! As supportive and lovely as the ladies in the Gym were, I don’t think they were ever going to convince me that it was for me.
The excuses for not going were far too many and easy to think of. Even my plan to walk failed.
I can’t possibly walk in the rain can I? And the weather has been atrocious over the last couple of weeks – hasn’t it?
It’s a shame, as I would have liked to change my shape, but do you know what, I actually have in a way…but more of that later!
Weight loss…another thing that didn’t work I’m afraid. It wasn’t part of the intention at the start, but towards the end, as I was getting more confident, I foolishly got caught up in the ‘new me’ and thought it might be nice to finish off with losing a few pounds.
Thank you for having confidence in me, I think I may have let you down as most of you seemed to think I was going to be a skinny molinny – oops – I’m actually not, sorry!
The fact is, I love food. I don’t eat excessively, possibly just at the wrong times and not regularly.
That neatly brings me on to a major discovery.
Lots and lots of people are telling me that I’m doing well and I look different and – wait for it – that I look like I’ve lost loads of weight. I really haven’t.
The secret is confidence, refocusing people’s attention, and dressing correctly.
One of the successes I can report is that I can now buy clothes with confidence. I have a little voice in my head (that sounds remarkably like Wendy Elsmore!) that talks to me when I pick something off the rails. Is it your colour? Does it have a V neck and a belt, is it just above the knee?
Previously I would have picked it up, liked it, but imagined an entirely different person wearing it. It would then stay in my wardrobe and I would continue wearing the same old thing.
I have discovered that I should wear dresses for work if I can. I previously had just one dress in my wardrobe – last year I think? – I now have 4
I can’t recommend them enough. They are smart and business like, and you don’t have to co ordinate an outfit – skirt / trousers, blouse, cardigan etc. It’s genius!!
My favourite shops are now Oasis & French Connection. I wouldn’t have shopped in those stores in million years before this experience as I thought I was too old. You really should try different stores, don’t do as I did and believe in the stereotypes. Be brave and try something different!
I am still following my skincare regime, and that in itself has strangely given me confidence to look up, not down at my feet all the time. Isn’t it crazy, this whole self belief thing? It takes just 10 minutes out of my day, but the rewards are huge!
I have my make up application down to 3 minutes, and it’s worth every second just for giving me the feeling that I’ve made an effort every day.
I have kept to the dark hair, on your advice, and as you will see from the photo it’s much shorter, which I like, and apparently it makes me look ‘neater’ (is that a good thing?!!)
So…my final advice to you. Take the New Year as an opportunity to take a good look at yourself. Don’t dwell on the physical or the things that can’t be changed, but take a look at the positive things.
Do what I did and use the help that’s available in Festival Place. It really is all there for you, and most of it is free. The staff I have spoken to have been, without exception, delightful and interested and helpful. They all really wanted me to succeed. What better job to have than one that can positively influence a person’s feeling about themselves?
I’m afraid I’m giggling to myself as I write this as I sound like one of those self help books – I can only apologise!! It’s actually true though, I really believe what I’m telling you.
I’m really glad that I took on this project. There are moments I have to admit, when I haven’t felt I had the time to do what I committed to, but because friends and colleagues have been so interested and supportive, I’ve done it –YES!!!
So tell me – have I inspired you to try Festival Place to discover a new you? Yes – no – maybe?!
Very best wishes for a healthy and positive 2010,
Theresa x
