It’s Tuesday, and this week’s prompt is How do you stay consistent when life gets chaotic?
I gave this some thought, and finally decided… my life just doesn’t get that chaotic. I don’t have small kids; I don’t travel for work; my daughter is increasingly self-sufficient (or, now that she has a boyfriend with a car, she no longer needs me for rides). The only thing that makes my life unsettled, occasionally, are my own thoughts.
Last December, things felt very chaotic- my cat had a stroke and died, my son was getting engaged (he told us about it over Thanksgiving but it wasn’t official until New Year’s Eve) and Christmas was absolutely kicking my butt. I kept up my running schedule- more or less- purely out of fear. I knew I had a big race coming up in March and I couldn’t afford to stop training. Having a race on the schedule always keeps me in line.
Another way to keep those chaotic thoughts from spiraling out of control is to take a break from the news. I have the perfect thing to distract us- more wedding talk! I have done nothing further since buying my dress, other than mulling over the amazing comments people left on that post. Here’s where I’m at right now:
Shoes
I have several specifications for my difficult feet. I need a very low heel, or flats. I need a wide toe box. The shoes apparently have to be gold. A couple people mentioned, casually and tactfully, that I should get a pedicure. Not as in, “we know your feet must be a mess from all that running” but more like “wouldn’t a pedicure be fun?” Okay, okay… I get it.
Makeup
You guys, I am a huge crybaby. I will be crying copious tears at this wedding, and I’m not sure there’s a mascara that can hold up to it. But I’m open to suggestions.
Jewelry
A couple people suggested, because of the neckline of the dress, to go without a necklace. Sure! I have no problem with that. I like bracelets. Here’s the thing- I don’t have pierced ears. So no earrings- does that change the “no necklace” rule?
Hair
Nicole suggested a French twist. After googling to see what that is, I think it’s a brilliant idea. It’s like a much, much nicer way of doing what I do all the time for work, which is pull my hair back in a clip. Whether or not I can do this myself remains to be seen.
Basically, I want to be able to feel like myself- but not TOO MUCH like myself, because then I would be wearing pajamas or running clothes. I definitely need to get out of my comfort zone, but not so much that I can’t enjoy myself.
Feel free to keep the suggestions coming! I’m really appreciating all the help.
Next week’s topic: It’s Earth Week. How do you stay active outdoors responsibly?
Link Up With Tuesday Topics
Welcome back to Tuesday Topics, as Jenny, from Runners Fly joins Jenn at Runs With Pugs to co-host this link-up! Please join us every week for a new topic! Write on our weekly prompt or choose your own topic! Make sure to add your post to the link up, link back to your hosts, and comment on the other shared posts!
22 Responses
I cannot do my own hair, even a simple updo is beyond me. I would definitely find a stylist. They can easily do a simple French twist and not worrying about it will be money well spent! You could also get your make up done. Or get help from your sister if she is good at that sort of thing? Basically I am team outsource for a big day! There are great water proof mascaras and I would not skip mascara! I am a make up minimalist but it’s something I don’t skip since it makes your eyes look much better IMO! But Nicole is the GOAT at these sorts of things. So if she disagrees with anything I say, she’s right and I’m wrong.
My life feels chaotic much of the time. I think that’s part of why I love OTF so much. I just show up and they tell me what to do. The workouts are so hard. I would never do something like that on my own. And I can do them when traveling as there are locations all around the country!!
I will definitely defer to Nicole! But your advice is good. Yes, I can see why OTF is perfect for you. You get a great workout without having to do any of the planning (other than getting yourself to the studio). One less thing for you to have to think about.
Gold sandals- that’ll give your feet room and match the feel of the dress. I’ve no opinion on pedicures- is anyone going to be looking at your feet?
A touch of lipstick and no mascara- go looking like you !
Still no necklace- you look great without it.
Maybe a gold comb or hair accessory.?
I’m probably the worst to give fashion advice, but my vote is for minimal and elegant.
In a chaotic life, I need written lists. Daily, weekly, monthly. Phone alarms for events. I still miss some things , but I can check my lists and calendars and get back on track. To calm chaotic thoughts – I try to go to sleep,, it helps to stay rational about life. (Though the past few years have played havoc with my nights.) My mom didn’t have an easy life at times, and people would ask her how she kept going. She would say that she’d go to bed! My sister used say take two Tylenol and go to bed whenever her daughters, overwhelmed by school anf stuff, would call from college. Getting some sleep really can help.
Yes, I know what you mean. If I’m really feeling crummy, I’ll just get in bed at 8 pm. That hasn’t happened in a while, but I probably should do it more often- i’m sure extra sleep wouldn’t hurt me.
I like your fashion advice! Minimal and elegant sound good to me.
The French twist! That really is the sweet spot you’re aiming for. A much nicer version of what you already do, just slightly upgraded.
Do you have someone nearby who’s good with hair? A neighbour, colleague, maybe even a client? That would be so much easier than trying to do it yourself!
I love that balance of staying YOU without tipping into full costume mode. It sounds like you’re getting it exactly right, Jenny!
Thank you Catrina! The thing is- I’ll be in Indiana, not near home. I’m sure I could get someone there to help me, but I also don’t want to add anything else onto anyone’s full schedules that day. I’ll be there several days before the wedding and I’ll feel out the situation- it probably wouldn’t take someone very long to put my hair up!
I’d say have someone else to it all. Hair, make up.
There are earrings for those without pierced ears. If your hair is up, I’d try to find some.
Only a pedicure if sandals. But I’d go with flats.
Sign up for another big race. ASAP. ITT will keep you sane.
I ran nyc half 6 days before the wedding.
Well I’m signed of for a race next March- but that’s pretty far away. And the summer races in Florida are pretty hot and terrible.
I’m definitely going to try and wear flats. Heels will KILL my feet!
trail half in December with me?
Taking a break from the news is always a good idea!
I have thoughts on your wedding outfit! My vote is that you have a killer dress, so that’s going to be 98% of your look. My opinion is of course “what would Birchie do” which is not necessarily “what would Jenny do” but:
1. For my wedding, I got some cheap silver sandals with a kitten heel in wide width. They are not the most comfortable shoe ever, but they also won’t ruin my night and they are my go to summer dress up shoe. I’m sure that there are plenty of gold sandals out there. I’ve never had a pedicure, and I think that if you think it would be fun that you should get one, and if you don’t think that it would be fun that you should skip it. Consider this to be your official reminder that no one will be looking at your feet.
2. Eye makeup optional! I can’t wear it due to eye sensitivity, and no one has ever pulled me aside to ask why I don’t wear mascara.
3. I don’t have pierced ears either. You like bracelets, so you have your answer (BTW I do too!).
4. I think a French twist would be great, especially since it’s so close to how you wear your hair normally. This might be a place to splurge and have someone do it for you.
Weddings are so fun!
Hmm! I think sandals that don’t ruin my night are probably the best I can hope for. And, if I do wear open toe shoes I probably need a pedicure…
Okay, wait, why do the shoes have to be gold? Why can’t you go navy or neutral? Is this a bride-enforced rule? You are going to have a hell of a time finding something like that, that’s all I’m thinking. I don’t know if you have it down there, but Naturalizer has great shoes, if they have a store or someone who sells near you. Or go to one of the big department stores and – this is key – ask for help!!! If you’re going for a closed-toe shoe you could get away without a pedicure, but why. It’s so nice to get one and then you get a foot massage too.
Practice on yourself with the French twist or get Angie to help you. OR ask Jennifer if she can recommend someone. You want this stress out of your hands!
NO MASCARA. If you don’t wear it normally it might irritate your eyes. So just go for a lip stain or something.
No earrings, no problem. Just go for a bracelet! No necklace, that neckline just won’t work well with one.
I feel like I’m being bossy here but I’M GOING TO BE BOSSY. I cannot give any advice about running BUT THIS IS MY WHEELHOUSE!!!! I am here for the clothes and makeup and jewelry talk!!!
YES. Bring on all the bossines- I need it!!! Okay, I don’t NEED gold shoes. You’re right, it might make it extra hard to find what I’m looking for, comfort-wise. I do not wear mascara normally, so I would be happy to skip it. And, I’m also happy to just go with bracelets! THANK YOU NICOLE!
I’m planning to do my own makeup for my sister’s wedding but I will be getting my hair done! I either wear my hair down or in braids (for running) so I’d like something a little more fancy. Maybe you can have someone do yours too!
As for the pedicure, you should go for it if you think you’d like it. I don’t want someone touching my feet and potentially messing up my toenails even further so I will not be getting one, but I will polish my toenails for the wedding. I always keep them polished but they get chipped and I don’t keep up with them normally but I definitely will for the big event!
I mean, I probably would like a pedicure. I don’t have a problem with someone touching my feet- I just usually don’t want to spend the money.And I’ll probably have to have someone do my hair- I seriously doubt I can do it on my own.
You know, I have trouble staying consistent even when life ISN’T chaotic. Consistency is a real area of challenge for me.
I am excited for your shoe and bracelet shopping! And I love the idea of a French twist. Aiming for feeling like a slightly fancier version of yourself (Wedding Day Jenny!, gold shoes included!) sounds like a fabulous plan. That way you can feel good and enjoy yourself without being overly self conscious about whether your boobs are going to pop out of your dress or you’re going to break an ankle on your sky-high stilettos.
Yes, those are definitely situations to be avoided! Ha. Wedding Day Jenny will be as un-self conscious as possible.
Ooh, I had to sneak over & get a peek at the dress! Maybe you could find a simple tennis-type of belt? (A tennis bracelet is a skinny string of “diamonds,” so that could also be an option for a bracelet?). Or, add a similar “diamond” comb to your hair? You could wear your hair down, but secured behind one ear?
Kim, I think you are getting way too fancy for me, lol. Although- hair down and secured behind one ear is what I did for my own wedding, come to think of it.
I love wedding talk! I think your plan of looking and feeling like yourself is so important. You can absolutely wear clip on earrings if you don’t have pierced ears, but as far as no necklace, that really depends on the neckline of the dress. I want to seeee!
We have my nephew’s wedding in June and you best believe I scheduled a pedicure. It’s been over a year, so it’s time.
I love all of this wedding talk! I love the idea of bracelets, and I think it’s fine to not have any jewelry “on top.” But I’m not a huge jewelry person.
I still highly recommend letting a professional do your hair and makeup on the wedding day. It would take a lot of pressure off YOU and they would make sure that mascara is cry-proof.
I had brown waterproof mascara for my own wedding (given I cry at everyone else’s, I knew I would be a mess) and it did me really well. You just have to be sure to get something that will take it off when you want to remove it.