THINK PINK
So many of us at the start of a new year think of goals that are motivating, inspiring, uplifting and can add change and progression to our lives. I often hear things like: eat healthy, improve my self love, add serving others to my day, etc. One inspiring goal that I heard from a photographer friend of mine was that she was going to invest in relationships, the most important thing to us as human beings. That she was going to spend quality time with those she valued and loved, her grandma, her dad, siblings, friends, etc. Do you want to know one of my stand out new years resolutions? It’s deep, get ready…
WEAR PINK
I know, so deep. I laughed when I said this out loud for the first time to my husband. He is one of those insane new years goal setters, and he actually completes a ton of his goals. One year, he did a sketch a day and they were amazing. He even categorizes his goals into different subcategories that he can then tackle in different areas of his life. And mine? Well, mine may seem simple, but it actually comes from a slightly deeper underlying problem in my personality.
Ever since I was young, I have been a tomboy. I didn’t always look or act like the exact tomboy you may be picturing at this moment, but I was. Most of my close friends were boys in the neighborhood, most of my activities were sports and getting dirty. With no boys in the lineup of girls around the house, we were expected to do the chores that I think might get pawned off onto boys in most families (which, hopefully will change as gender roles start breaking down, but that’s another chat for another day). Mowing the lawn, helping dad with cars and house projects, learning how to use tools and fix things. Our family culture did not value the roll of “prettiness”, which I am definitely grateful for. Yes we were a family of attractive young ladies, but that was not what was valued. We were told to be strong, be smart, and fend for ourselves. My parents took us camping and we roughed it a lot of the time. Anywho, I’m getting deeper then you may need to or want to know. So, why was this my new years goal?
WEAR PINK.
I was in a habit of not wanting to appear “too girly” on the regular, it seemed less respectable and way too, well, “girly”. I never valued girly attributes. Pink items, getting your nails done, fussing too much about your hair, wearing too much makeup, etc etc etc. And I am not trying to pretend that I didn’t care about how I looked or presented myself, I did. I just always felt I had to look like I wasn’t “trying too hard”. So, now as an adult, I am constantly trying not to look like I’m trying too hard. It has been such a huge part of me for so long. So, enter…
WEAR PINK.
I am pretty sure that pink does not look BAD on me. In fact, I have fairly pale complexion that I think pink may look decent against. It’s just….SO pink. Pink doesn’t go with my oversized boyfriend jeans, does it? Pink doesn’t make me look smart, does it? Pink doesn’t show the world that I’m a serious adult who wants to be taken seriously, does it?
As a proud advocate for gender equality, I started to realize all my faults in this way of thinking. Being “girly” in ANY way, was not a weak thing. I love fashion. I love bright colors and wearing things that might actually be me “trying too hard”. None of this makes me less respectable than if I wear a power suit or leggings and a sweatshirt.
I still believe there is a tipping point of caring too much about what your wearing or how you look, we all know this. But if you are holding yourself back from self expression and having FUN with your wardrobe because of nervous beliefs such as mine, lets put an end to that practice this year!
My goal to wear pink is to tell myself that I am smart, I am strong, I am powerful and determined. I also just happen to be wearing pink, which I hope puts a smile on my color loving heart.
Happy New Year!
