Trying to lose that 'losyang' feeling
When you’re home most of the day taking care of kids, it’s very easy to let yourself go. It’s very easy to be losyang. From the moment you wake up to the time you put everyone to sleep, the day is about other people. There are days when I can’t be bothered to fix up. All I want to do is get my chores over with, take care of the baby then retire to a comfortable bed by midnight.
I’ve gone through a whole day without combing my hair. I also remember gasping in horror as I passed by a mirror by the time night time fell. I looked like a rooster whose crown was having a major bad day. Crap. Was that I what I looked like when I signed for a package from the delivery boy this morning? No wonder he wouldn’t look me in the eye. Maybe it was that or my juice-stained shirt.
So fine, I’ve been trying to be a little more conscious about how I look even if I just stay home most days. Even if there are no visitors arriving and even if the baby doesn’t really care if I wear lipstick or not, sprucing up a little bit is more for my own sanity. Looking good helps you feel better, right? Here are some tips I’ve learned along the way to lose that losyang feeling.
Wearing lipstick. A poll at the London College of Fashion showed that 85 percent of women thought wearing makeup helped lift their mood. What is it about lipstick that just makes you feel better? Slide on some and boom! You add color not just to your face but to your routine-laden day. If I’m not into reds or pinks for any day, dabbing a little petroleum jelly on my lips also helps me feel better. It helps beat chapped lips and I feel like I’m putting even the smallest amount of effort into trying to look good and feel better.
Blow-drying my hair. Don’t you just feel happier when there’s not a single strand of hair out of place? Ah, sweet relief. The process of transforming my hair from seriously crazy to well, less seriously crazy is cathartic. The hum of the blow-dryer and the systematic movement of the brush calm me. That and my hair looks tons better too. There’s a Yale University study that reports bad hair days impact not only your appearance, but your self-esteem, social insecurity and self-criticism. Heck, before those negative vibes start coming our way, let’s go grab a brush and a blow-dryer!
Taking a shower. I’m not talking about a one-minute shower. I’m talking about that luxurious shower when you can do your whole routine without anyone banging outside the door begging to be picked up. A shower is cleansing not just for the body but also for the mind. Aside from spending happy moments with my toddler and husband, shower time is one of my most cherished daily moments. It’s private. It’s quiet. It’s relaxing. When you’re at ease, less of that haggard look gets reflected on you.
Getting rid of pajamas. While it is a perk to go around the whole day wearing pajamas or your husband’s boxers, it doesn’t necessarily add to the glam factor. Not that I want to be glam at home all day. I just want to look presentable. So yes, I try not to wear my jammies all day even if they are just absolutely friggin’ super comfortable. At least I don’t wear bunny slippers anymore.
Wearing contact lenses. I wear really thick eyeglasses and they always slide down my nose. I love my eyeglasses, but I do feel like my face is brighter when I wear contacts. So on days I need a little picker-upper, in go the contacts and to the side go the specs.
While most days I’d rather just go about my usual business without sprucing up, I admit I do feel more refreshed and energized when I make more effort. It makes me feel more like a lady and less like an ant. You know, work, work, work, chores, chores, chores. Even just fulfilling one of the above works wonders. The quickest is dashing on some lipstick and it immediately lessens the losyang factor. Never mind if I’m still in my pajamas. Hey, one out of five isn’t that bad. I’m getting there!
What do you do to get rid of that losyang feeling especially if you’re home the whole day?
