A True Story of Perception

Posted on October 22nd, 2008 by Jean

 
The setting: A chic, high-end designer boutique.
 
The atmosphere: Sleek, trendy and cool. Glossy black walls frame the colorful collection of clothing, heels, handbags and other accessories.
 
My Life: Unhappily married, no children, and a part-time job.
 
I stand and stare, never daring to enter. I admire the perfectly dressed, ebony mannequins. Footage of runway shows airs on the large screen t.v. just inside the window. I am completely mesmerized.
 
How am I perceived?
 
Shy, insecure, frightened, lonely.
 
My perception of this store is that it is off-limits and unattainable.
 

 
The Following Year
Same setting / Same Atmosphere
 
My Life: New Husband, New Baby, New Responsibilities (running a business with my husband).
 
I have gained enough confidence to actually step foot inside this wondrous boutique! My heart races as I touch the clothing. What are these sizes? 42? 40? I don’t understand. No one approaches me. I’m here, yet invisible. The staff are indifferent as I depart.
 
How am I perceived?
 
Curious, bold, naive.
 
This visit changes my perception. I CAN enter, and I CAN touch.
 

 
2 Years Later
Same setting / Same Atmosphere

 
My Life: Happily Married, 2nd Baby Arrives, Business is Booming.
 
I am now FULL of confidence. I’ve strolled in and out of designer boutiques throughout the city. During this particular visit, the added bonus is that my best friend is visiting. Arm in arm, we admire the latest collection. We stop in front of a particularly beautiful piece, the little black dress lined in silk animal print. Something happened this day that had never happened before. We were approached! Yes, Ricardo made his way over to see if we needed assistance. My size: 46 or 48, in stock just off the main floor. Knock me over with a feather! I AM TRYING ON THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS! The staff is no longer too busy or uninterested as they bring me shoes, purses and little jackets attempting to complete the look.
 
How am I perceived?
 
Emboldened, confident.

 
My perception of this store has now changed 180 degrees.
 
What changed? My perception of self.

Tags: confidence, D&G, designer, perception, self esteem, Shopping

A True Story of Perception

Posted on October 22nd, 2008 by Jean

 
The setting: A chic, high-end designer boutique.
 
The atmosphere: Sleek, trendy and cool. Glossy black walls frame the colorful collection of clothing, heels, handbags and other accessories.
 
My Life: Unhappily married, no children, and a part-time job.
 
I stand and stare, never daring to enter. I admire the perfectly dressed, ebony mannequins. Footage of runway shows airs on the large screen t.v. just inside the window. I am completely mesmerized.
 
How am I perceived?
 
Shy, insecure, frightened, lonely.
 
My perception of this store is that it is off-limits and unattainable.
 

 
The Following Year
Same setting / Same Atmosphere
 
My Life: New Husband, New Baby, New Responsibilities (running a business with my husband).
 
I have gained enough confidence to actually step foot inside this wondrous boutique! My heart races as I touch the clothing. What are these sizes? 42? 40? I don’t understand. No one approaches me. I’m here, yet invisible. The staff are indifferent as I depart.
 
How am I perceived?
 
Curious, bold, naive.
 
This visit changes my perception. I CAN enter, and I CAN touch.
 

 
2 Years Later
Same setting / Same Atmosphere

 
My Life: Happily Married, 2nd Baby Arrives, Business is Booming.
 
I am now FULL of confidence. I’ve strolled in and out of designer boutiques throughout the city. During this particular visit, the added bonus is that my best friend is visiting. Arm in arm, we admire the latest collection. We stop in front of a particularly beautiful piece, the little black dress lined in silk animal print. Something happened this day that had never happened before. We were approached! Yes, Ricardo made his way over to see if we needed assistance. My size: 46 or 48, in stock just off the main floor. Knock me over with a feather! I AM TRYING ON THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS! The staff is no longer too busy or uninterested as they bring me shoes, purses and little jackets attempting to complete the look.
 
How am I perceived?
 
Emboldened, confident.

 
My perception of this store has now changed 180 degrees.
 
What changed? My perception of self.

Tags: confidence, D&G, designer, perception, self esteem, Shopping

Diets ~ What Works?

Posted on October 11th, 2008 by Jean

Forty-three must be the magic number. Used to be, I could eat any ol’ thing. Now? My foods of choice are clinging to my mid-section for all the world to see.
 

 
Changing Food Habits
When I was growing up, I literally got fruit once a year. Santa brought it. Stuffed it in my stocking. How do I change that eating habit? I told hubby I like green bananas. What does he do? He buys six. Six green bananas. Even if (that’s a big if) I eat one a day, by week’s end they’re turning brown. Natalie tells me I need Debbie Meyer’s Green Bags. Ha! Out of the mouths of babes.
 
Changing Routines
Speaking of Natalie, with her starting school this year, I barely wake up in time to see her off. You know that list-tag that’s going around? List 6 things you do before bed? How ’bout 6 things you do in the morning?
1. Wake up.
2. Sex? Yes, please.
3. Get out of bed.
4. Make Natalie’s lunch.
5. Comb Natalie’s hair.
6. Get Natalie dressed.
Time’s up!
 
My routine used to be 1) same 2) same 3) same 4) make coffee 5) read blogs 6) get on treadmill. (I miss that routine.)
 
Diets
I bought the Bob Green book, The Best Life Diet. Do you know what he says? Don’t read this book until you’re ready to diet. So… I sat that aside.
 
I had great success with the Slim-Fast website, until they tried to revamp it. Now, instead of being able to view your entire week’s meals, you can only view the current day’s meals. Pfffffttt!!!
 
You know who else gets a raspberry? Nutri-System.
 
Four reasons I hate Nutri-system:
1. The food tastes like dog food.
2. It doesn’t include everything I need. Where’s my bread, fruits and vegetables?
3. Where’s the chocolate you promised me?
4. I didn’t lose weight.
 
SparkPeople held my interest for a little while. I pledged allegiance to the free diet plan, but soon I wasn’t even signing in to spin their wheel.
 
So… What works for you, and what gets the Golden Raspberry?
 

Tags: diet, nutri-system, slimfast