BY SANDY LEONG : Tuesday, June 07, 2011
It’s amazing what happens when you step away from your “regular” life for just a little while. When you come back, you wonder what you used to do regularly. I normally have a very good work ethic. I get up every morning at 6:30, wake the kids, walk the dogs, workout, and get busy designing jewelry. But lately, life has been a whirlwind. Holidays, traveling, trunk shows, etc have thrown a wrench into my structured existence and I like it. But now that I’m back for a whole week, I don’t remember what was normal. I just keep packing and unpacking, lugging suitcases to and from airports. I can’t remember the last time I cooked dinner for my family and my normal routine isn’t really working for me anymore. I’ve actually become a little unfocused and, gasp, lazy!
This happened the first couple of years when my children went to sleepaway camp. They were gone for 6 weeks and for the first week (or two, or three) I would wander around my empty apartment wondering what I used to do before I become a mommy. I didn’t have to worry about getting up at a certain time, cooking breakfast, making sure everyone got to school, after school activities, play dates, rides, transportation, lunches, dinners. My life had no structure anymore. Then something amazing happened. I started taking classes, playing tennis again, having lunch with friends, going shopping. And then I remembered what I used to do before I had kids. I had to reinvent me again.
This also happens every season. The weather is getting nice here (finally)! And I don’t remember what I used to wear when the weather was warm, or at least bearable without gloves, scarves, down puffy coats, etc. Was I wearing a leather jacket? Not quite warm enough. My pea coat? Too warm. And tops, and pants? Do I break out the white jeans? What did I used to wear with them? Floral peasant tops? T-shirts with Rebuild New Orleans? Shoes…a whole other posting. I never had this dilemma when I lived in Los Angeles, because the weather was more or less the same all the time. And I loved it. I now understand “Spring Fever”, but don’t know what to do with all those wool and cashmere sweaters that are overflowing from drawers now that the weather doesn’t warrant them.
Clearly, it’s time to reinvent myself again. And what better place to start than with my wardrobe. We all feel more put together when we’re wearing the right clothes and jewelry! Just one more excuse to go shopping! It’s the only way to get your daily routine back on track.