“When you LOOK good, you FEEL good and when you feel good you DO GOOD!” – author unknown
Today, I wasn’t feeling it.
- My hair isn’t done up to my regular standards.
- I didn’t get any of my laundry done over the weekend because I was super busy, so I have NOTHING to wear to work this week.
- I’m low on cash and forgot to bring my lunch to work today, so I’m starving.
- On top of that, I haven’t been eating right lately so my body feels TOTALLY OFF and my stank attitude is showing through.
I don’t do well when I’m sleepy OR hungry. I’m off balance.
Luckily, I’ve figured out a few things that work for me when I’m having these “off days”. Thanks to a few intentional acts and kind words of affirmation from a few of my co-workers, I can say I’ve truly been able to elevate my day. It may not solve all of my problems, but these 5 Tips to Look AMAZING saved me:
Tip #1: Put On A Dress
This may sound simple or ridiculous, but the only CLEAN thing I found in my closet to wear was a short zebra print/flower dress that fell just above my knees. It’s an old thing. I’ve had it for the last four years but what I’ve always loved about it is how it accentuated my curves and how the shortness of the dress brought attention to my nice legs and toned calves. I’m also forced to wear high heels anytime I wear this dress because sandals or tennis shoes just throw it off, but this is a plus as the shortness of the dress only brings attention to my otherwise unnoticeable legs and toned calves. It helps me embrace my femininity. This is a win for me.
Tip #2: A Pump or Two of Perfume
I LOVE when someone compliments me on my scent. I’ve paid special attention to this small detail, ever since that one time I interviewed singer John Legend and he said, “A man doesn’t want a woman to smell bland…” But beyond it being appealing to men, putting on your favorite perfume can subliminally help you. When a sweet or pleasant scent permeates the atmosphere around you, it helps your mood. If nothing else, it may attract a compliment from someone you pass in the hallway at work. And a compliment on your scent can never hurt! Co-worker 1: “Ohhh, You smell so good! Delicious.”
Tip #3: Wear A Smile
I ALWAYS get the best response from people when I enter an atmosphere, wearing a smile. Even if I’m truly sulking on the inside, I try not to show it on the outside or to those who I come in contact in my day. Just smile. Think of something that makes you happy or something that you are thankful for, or looking forward to. Let the good thoughts take over your day and soon, the fake smile will have become real to you. Try and smile.
Co-worker 2: “Look at you , you look like sunshine.”
Tip #4: Walk High / Strut with Confidence
“They can tell by the way I walk, I aint from ‘round here.”
I loved this quote from Martin Lawrence in the movie Life. No matter how you feel on a particular day, let your body language and even your walk, tell a different story. When you walk confidently to and from, you can send a signal that you are a.) lost, confused, beaten down by whatever is happening in your day OR you can affirm and declare with your walk that b.) I am more than a conqueror and I will not be stopped! Whether I’m walking from my office to a meeting or from the break room to the bathroom, I STRUT like I’m the queen of Zemunda! BOLDY and CONFIDENTLY! I walk like I have places to go and people to see and in doing so, others respond to me passing in the hallway accordingly.
Co-worker 3: “What’s up boss lady.”
Tip #5: Put on Your ‘Face’
Co-worker 3: “You looking all fresh, I see you!”
I can’t tell you how many times I felt like s*&#! Heading in to work on a Monday morning. It takes a lot of energy to get up at 6am to get my FOUR year old ready for school, after being out late on a Sunday night. On a bad day, he can be whiny, uncooperative and downright defiant which always has me spending more time getting him ready (persuading him to “work with Mommy”). In the end, I have less time to get myself ready. He’s drained me and putting on makeup is the last thing I feel like doing. But taking a few minutes to at least put on foundation, powder and a bold lipstick seems to do the trick for me! When I’m feeling like I can’t do the full face thing, even just a touch of blush on my cheeks, with a nice lipstick or lip gloss and making sure my eyebrows are touched up proves to do justice for me. A fresh or touched face goes a long way. This was evidenced when I heard a co-worker say, “You looking all fresh, I see you!” (Boy, my co-workers just don’t know how much their comments, observations and compliments mean to a girl when I think I’m having the WORST day ever!)
Check out a quick way to apply make up on the go!
