you'd be so pretty if...

'Dressing' Up: A Great Idea

Did you happen to catch the recent story from the Minneapolis Star Tribune about a group of ladies who've decided to challenge themselves to wear skirts and dresses twice a week during the summer?

You can take a look at some of the pictures of women who've joined the challenge here.

What I love most about this is just how happy they all seem in their photos. They look good and they feel good.

I'd join this challenge, but sadly, I realized just the other day that I don't own any casual dresses. In fact, I had to borrow a skirt last-minute to wear to an event last week when I wanted to "dress up" a bit. It's one of the casualties of working in a home office, I guess -- you forget how good it can feel to break out of a fashion rut.

Something tells me it might just be time to hit the dress racks.

How about you? When's the last time you "dressed up" just for you?

'Body Awareness: A Different Kind of Graduation' at Psychology Today

Today, I'm blogging about a whole different kind of graduation over at Psychology Today.

See you back here on Monday with a brand-new post. 

Messages For A Monday Morning

Today, to brighten up your Monday morning and start your week off right, I give you these two inspiring messages of positivity, self-love and self-acceptance:

 

and this one:

 

Enjoy!

Your Fantasy Self: What Does She Look Like?

Today, I'm blogging about our fantasy selves over at Psychology Today.

I'll be back here on Monday with a brand-new post. 

What The Body Doesn't Even Know It Needs

People who know me well know that I have a bit of trouble relaxing.

It's not that I don't want to take it easy...I'm just not very good at it. There's always something I could be doing or cleaning or writing about that the idea of sitting still is tough for me.

Last week, a good friend called me and said, "Can I have you for an hour or so tomorrow?"

It'd been a while since I'd seen her, so I said, "Sure" and cleared my schedule for the morning.

She picked me up, but refused to tell me where she was taking me. We drove to a coffee shop, where we picked up coffees and continued on our way.

Final destination? The nail salon for pedicures.

We sat side by side, drinking coffee, chatting and giggling away while the technicians made our toes look fabulous. It was the most relaxing, enjoyable hour I've had in a long time.

Sometimes, we just don't know what we need until somebody else points it out to us. Thanks to my pal for knowing I could use some downtime -- and for taking the time to share it with me.

"To Scale or Not To Scale?" at Psychology Today

Today, I'm blogging about my decision to say "no" to my daughter's request that we get a scale at Psychology Today.

See you back here on Monday with a brand-new post.

Leaving the Comfort Zone -- On My Terms

Fifteen years ago, my former college tennis-playing husband bought me a racquet of my own so that we could play together.

We headed out to the local courts, where my level of play could best be defined as self-defense. As he drilled serve after serve in my direction, I alternated between holding the racquet in front of my face like a shield and ducking to get out of the way.

It wasn't pretty.

I consider myself athletic and I rarely duck a physical challenge (except those involving extreme heights and speeds). But that first taste of tennis didn't exactly make me want to go back for more.

One of my personal goals is to try something new each year. I've learned to sew, tap dance, knit and decorate cakes. So when I saw that my town was offering a beginners tennis program for adults this summer, I thought, "Here's my chance."

Yesterday, I found and dusted off my old racquet, left my husband at home and headed to the town court, where a lovely -- and gentle -- instructor taught me about the baseline, the scoring system and how to hit a forehand stroke.

I felt completely inept and rather like a dork at the beginning. By the end of the hour, though, I was hitting balls down the alley (almost) like I knew what I was doing.

My forearm is a little sore this morning, but I'm feeling the familiar jolt of energy that comes from leaving my comfort zone and trying something new. I'm also thrilled to be adding a new way to work out to my rotation.

With one lesson down and nine more to go, I'm looking forward to mastering this new challenge.

And maybe -- just maybe -- a re-match with my husband.

I Need a 'Cher Slap!'

Today, I'm blogging about why I need a Cher slap at Psychology Today.

See you back here on Monday with a brand-new post.

What's Your "Aging" Image?

Ever had somebody tell you, "You can still wear that?"

It's supposed to be a compliment, I know. But every time I hear those words, I cringe.

Regular readers here know that my mom died at 60 and her mom died at 63. My goal, frankly, is to become a healthy, feisty old lady. What I look like doing it is less important to me than the fact that I do it.

But, still...

I came across this piece by Sunny Sea Gold at The Huffington Post. And it made me stop and think -- who are my healthy aging role models? Those women who gracefully accept what is and make the most of it, instead of clawing to hold on to what was?

I'm going to have to think about it. Meanwhile, who are yours?