We all know that a pair of shoes changed Cinderella’s life. But can a dress change your life?
A wedding dress can change a life. An Oscar dress can change a life. But what about a homemade dress made from $3 fabric from an estate sale?
When Creativity Vanishes
As many of you know I recently graduated from college over the summer. Yes, ahem, I am a slightly older student thank you very much. Even though I am older and wiser I found that, like so many other, younger graduates, I was floundering trying to fit into today’s job market.
As I encountered closed door after closed door I began to take it personally.
Reels of unkind words began a familiar playback in my head.
I stopped to listen and bought what they were selling.
I eventually closed down. My creativity vanished.
You would think by now I would have learned that the real me never quite fits in. I shine best when I am who I am:
A slightly off-kilter creative soul covered in glitter.
Creativity is the core of who I am. It is what makes me, me.
A good friend reminded me that I just needed to focus on being my best self TODAY. Tomorrow will work itself out… tomorrow.
Taking her words to heart I’ve been examing my life more closely, fully embracing and rejoicing in what makes me content.
I’ve also been looking to see if I can change what stresses me out. I have found some things that I could alter. So I’ve been making adjustments and the changes have resulted in a happier me.
The Party Dress
One of the changes I made originated from a horrible habit. It was a sentence of drudgery that I had imposed upon myself.
In the past, I wouldn’t let myself participate in an activity I enjoyed until I had completed a number of tasks such as:
- The house had to be cleaned.
- The laundry had to be caught up.
- No weeds could be in the flower beds.
- Dinner had to be made.
- And on and on and on
Any wife and mother could take one look at such a ludicrous list and say “But those are never-ending tasks!”
Exactly. I also knew, deep down, that if I took a few hours to say, finally finish sewing a dress I had started way back in the spring, instead of doing laundry, the world wasn’t going to end.
So I forced myself to get creative while simultaneously thinking “I should be scrubbing the downstairs toilet.”
But I finished that dress. I was so proud of myself for making fun a priority!
Then I tried the dress on. It was one size too big and just hung on my frame.
I could have withered away in a “whoa is me” heap and decided there were only two choices. To create more drudgery by arming myself with a seam ripper or have a dress that sat forever in the back of my closet.
But I did something better. I made the decision to make this dress my PARTY DRESS.
It just needed a few safety pins.
Can A Dress Change Your Life?
Yep. I decided that I was going to wear that dress on my birthday and not care that it was too big. It was summer. The day was hot. A loose dress would be cool.
I wore that dress to church. Then took it out to lunch. I wore that dress to visit my daughter at work. That dress helped me to return some back to school clothes that didn’t make Sweet Guy’s cut. I wore that dress out to dinner and was so thankful that I had some extra room. #bigmeal
Here’s the great part. That dress, which was too big, was complimented a million times. I even got a wolf whistle while having my birthday picture taken. As you can see I wasn’t expecting that!!!
Wear the dress, own it, CELEBRATE!
Laura
Love, love your dress! I know you had a wonderful birthday. 🙂
It is so true that our list of things that need to be done can completely shut down the creative side of life. Proud of you for recognizing that and setting priorities for yourself.
Sending you Happy Belated Birthday wishes! You just keep looking younger every year. How do you do that?
Love, love, love your dress!!! It’s so sweet and looks like the perfect little summer frock to take you wherever you want to go. Those are the greatest dresses of all. You don’t have to think twice if you have something to wear if you get a last minute invite to go out with a friend or if DH surprises you with tickets to go to a show. You look perfect if out doing errands or chilling and enjoying a day at home.
Never listen to the naysayers when you are applying for a job. The fact that they said ‘No’ is their problem, not yours. They don’t know what a wonderful opportunity they are passing up by not including you in their workforce.
And usually if you don’t get hired those first places you try, the perfect job is just waiting for you. You will find it. The time just isn’t right yet.
It worked for me. I was newly graduated and wanted to put my new found skills to work but the job I had really coveted was taken by someone else. So I found a part time job and kept developing my skills on my own. Well, the job that the other person got only lasted a few weeks. After a while the company found out I was interested in their company and had the right skills. They hired me on a trial basis for three weeks, asked if I would stay for three months and then it was permanent. I stayed for eleven years until I wanted to try other projects. So never give up. 🙂 {{{hugs}}}
There are so many joy notes swirling around in m head right now.
You. Are. Amazing.
Not even #soclose.
Happy day friend!
karianne
Oh I am so glad you wore that dress. I looks fabulous on you and I love a little extra room to move around. You definitely need to put more fun in the mix, I think we all do.
Belated Happy Birthday greetings, Laura! You look amazing in your dress – happy, comfortable, and beautiful. The best is yet to be!
You look amazing – I can’t believe you MADE that dress!! You are so talented!!
What a lovely dress! And the fact that you put it together on your own is enough reason to celebrate! I pray you had a beautiful day friend. I so need to pick up Karianne’s book. Cleaned the house today, but will be playing with all things Sunflower tomorrow in preparation for my niece’s bridal shower on Saturday!
I absolutely love this post!!
And this description!!! “A slightly off-kilter creative soul covered in glitter. ” Can I use it too????? 🙂 🙂
The dress is lovely. Woot!Woot!! to you for pulling out the safety pins and wearing your dress and partying!
It looks amazing!
Your new site look is grand as well!
Your dress is beautiful as is the lady wearing it! So glad you gave yourself permission to let go of the to do list and enjoy the creativity. Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday, Laura! Yes, you are amazing! The dress looks great!
That dress is lovely! It looks perfect on you!
I hope you had a wonderful birthday!
First-Happy Birthday. I LOVE your dress and it was worth waiting for. Makes me kinda wanna make one cause you look so happy! I don’t have any advice on the job market. With your personality, experience and education, you will have no trouble getting the job you want, don’t settle.
Enjoy your day.
mary in Az
Dear Friend, Laura, Your post reminded me of a line from Emerson: To get up each morning with the resolve to be happy…is to set our own conditions to the events of each day. To do this is to condition circumstances instead of being conditioned by them. Words to live by. Happy belated Birthday “Glad”iolus Gal! ‘ I adore your new dress . I bet it’s great for twirling. 🙂
The dress is perfect! It’s comfortable, the colors are gorgeous on you and it represents a new chapter in your life. Embrace it all!!
Belated birthday wishes to you and hope that this is just the start of the best year of your life.
Marilyn (in Dallas)
You are GORGEOUS and so is your dress.!! So proud of you! I loved your post.
xo rachel
Well, first off, the dress is wonderful. I’m glad you decided to step in and finish it and while it may feel too big it doesn’t look it! Looks perfect and so do you!
Glad your birthday was terrific! After school and all, you deserve it extra much.
I know what you mean about making assignments before fun. I do that sometimes too and I need to take a page from your book. Like, not putting away or using birthday gifts till I write the thank you note… Ah well…
Hope there are no typos here! The type in the comment section is so tiny I can’t read it while I’m typing! And I thought my glasses were working just fine.