This week is “Book Week” in Australia and for the younger population today they get to “dress up” as their favourite book character.
So, yesterday my youngest daughter was trying on different outfits to decide on the costume she would be wearing today. And coincidentally my eldest daughter had just called me that same morning to let me know she had a new outfit for work and was commenting on how it made her feel more confident.
It got me thinking about costumes.
What I said to my eldest was that it made total sense because we don’t dress for other people, we dress for ourselves cause when we believe we look good or look the part then we feel good about how we show up and who we want to be.
I started to think about all the different costumes I had been wearing over the years.
After the last decade of spending time/money developing myself (rather than my profession!) I recognised the different costumes were like an experiment.
I mean, who doesn’t love dressing up?
But it gets to a stage where the costumes become heavy and the changing of them becomes draining.
I know over the years I’ve experimented with a number of costumes.
It was in my RELATIONSHIPS where my costume felt heaviest first.
Wearing the costume of the type of wife I thought my ex-husband expected. Expecting him to wear the costume I expected a husband to be. Neither fit well on us at all and ultimately ended our relationship.
I changed costumes a few times before I found the one that fit me and my relationship best.
In my HEALTH, I’ve tried the excelling exerciser – jogging, PT, every day…. in preparation for my wedding (the second time!) I’ve also tried the exceptional eater only eating healthy and vegetarian. But neither were sustainable.
The one that seems to be working for me today is the moderate mover, exercising and eating moderately enough that I feel good, healthy and able to enjoy my life.
For my WEALTH, I wore the corporate armour for many years till I stood on top of Mt Kilimanjaro and shed it (another story!)
In fact, I spoke to a former colleague earlier this week who summed this up beautifully with a story of another colleague with who she had attended a female development program. This particular woman was the only woman (other than the receptionist) in a manufacturing plant that employed over 400 people all of whom were men – and she was the boss. So every day she would turn up to work in a buttoned-up shirt and pants with her hair severely pulled back, to the point where she had even added extra buttons to her shirt! And that was the way she presented on the first day of the program but by the end of the program, she was in a sundress with her hair out and commented how much lighter and herself she felt.
I am happy to say that I am now wearing the coach costume which fits perfectly! It also gives me the gift of experiencing joy in guiding other women to create their own “costume” transformations.
The fact is we all wear metaphorical costumes. We probably wouldn’t walk out in the street naked in the middle of the night, right?
I believe some covering is necessary and healthy (like the example with my eldest daughter); the ones that feel like a second skin and allow us to be and act the way we truly want, that fit and work the best!
What costumes are you wearing? Are they weighing you down? Or are they like a second skin that makes you feel light and free?
Please comment below with your thoughts.
Remember, you can unleash your unique version of success!
I have had (and still do have) so many people supporting me on my journey of self-development, I’d love to help you on yours. Whenever you’re ready, here are a few ways I can support you:
Join our IYS Community – to connect with like-minded individuals focused on increasing their ENGAGEMENT, CONFIDENCE & JOY in work (and life)
Access your FREE Online Training – and learn how you can immediately hit higher levels of performance and potential in all you do!
Take the High Performance Questionnaire – to understand if you’re ready to go to the next level and live a life full of engagement, joy and confidence…
Book a Chat – so we can breakthrough what you’re currently challenged with and take the next action towards living the life of your dreams!
Recent Comments