For the last 25 years I have lived amongst a multitude of women—1 wife, 4 daughters.
My top 3 list of items I absolutely cannot stand are:
- Feminine products in plain view
- Face glitter (which I can attest does NOT stay on faces)
- Hair straighteners ( useless devices that take up valuable counter space, waste precious resources and make every American girl look like every other American girl).
My wife and daughters were relatively good about not spending excessive time getting ready to go out. My wife’s strategy was to have mirrors readily available in all rooms so the girls could primp themselves as they ambled to the front door while their father grumbled about something that probably did not apply to them (such as, “we are late, we are late, we are late”).
Our new cottage in Uruguay has no mirrors except for one small cracked one in the bathroom. I have hardly seen my reflection in the past two months. My wife no longer owns a brush.
On the other hand, our apartment in Buenos Aires has mirrors on every wall. The elevator has mirrors on three sides. The lobby has a 50 foot long mirror. Everywhere you look you see yourself. This is not good. Especially if one has not had a haircut in four months.
Imagine my surprise as I catch myself looking at my first-time longish mane and (this is very difficult to write) flipping the back of my hair up over my collar and using my fingers to curl the ends whilst parting the front to the left and then the right to see which way looks best (neither looks best, I really need a haircut).
This embarrassment has lead me to consider how we go about building the self-image we wish to reflect back to others and what reinforces this process (mirrors).
How much of our life and resources are devoted to developing an image for ourselves? What does it cost to appear successful, athletic, young or stylish? If we want to change our image, what is required? New haircut, new clothes, new car, new house?
God, I feel like such a girl.
Time to get back to Uruguay and stop reflecting.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Good of you to include a photo of yourself. My, your hair IS getting long.
Love,
M
A fun post that made me chuckle!