Once upon a time, I was youthful. I admired beautiful things and yearned for elegance. However, life has a way of shifting perspectives. They say age is just a number, but when my children are tallying the lines on my forehead—“Mom, did you know you have—one, two, three, four, five—six lines on your forehead?”—it’s challenging to feel youthful. Somewhere along the journey, the allure of beauty became burdensome and somewhat dull. As for elegance? I am simply too exhausted for that now.
When nostalgia strikes, and I reminisce about my younger, more glamorous days, I find it amusing to compare the past to the present. This exercise is a favorite pastime of many busy parents, so let’s engage in it together. After all, it serves as a delightful distraction from the counting of wrinkles.
Here are 10 ways in which elegance has transformed from then to now:
- Primping vs. Quick Fixes: In the past, getting ready meant an hour spent perfecting my look, wine glass in hand and flatiron in the other. Now, it’s a three-minute shower, hair hastily tied back, and a search for a somewhat clean shirt.
- Handbags: Once, I would carry a chic Prada clutch that barely held my phone and a credit card. Nowadays, my Target bag—an impulse buy, of course—holds everything from my wallet and books to Legos, a gift card expired for three years, markers, and even a butter knife I’ve rediscovered twice. Yet, I can never find a pen when I need one.
- Dining Experiences: Previously, elegant evenings involved lengthy dinners with my husband, rich with wine and laughter, followed by a dance-filled night out. Today, fancy means any meal where crayons are not served to my children, and sleeping in until 7 a.m. on Sundays feels luxurious.
- Brunches: Sunday brunch used to consist of mimosas and Bloody Marys, followed by a beer chaser. Now, I find myself savoring a Pumpkin Spice Latte, usually with an espresso on the side.
- Dining Ware: Once upon a time, I was on the hunt for fine china for my bridal registry. Nowadays, it’s all about plastic utensils and partitioned plates adorned with cartoon animals.
- Fashion Choices: In the past, I would don designer jeans and stiletto heels, which my friend dubbed “fabulous footwear.” Today, I reach for yoga pants, hoping they lack the remnants of yogurt, coffee, or other mysterious stains.
- Beauty Routines: Formerly, I indulged in high-end cosmetics like Chanel eyeshadow and La Mer moisturizer, spending hours at Sephora. Now, I stick to a tub of Nivea, drugstore mascara, and a wrinkle cream I forget to apply—hence, the six pronounced lines on my forehead.
- Self-Care: Regular trips for manicures and pedicures were once the norm. Now, I’m lucky if I manage a quick polish change while the kids splash in the bath.
- Sleep Patterns: Once, I enjoyed nine hours of restful sleep on luxurious sheets. Now, I’m grateful for five uninterrupted hours of slumber, regardless of the location. (I’m truly exhausted.)
- Simple Pleasures: Fancy once included fine wine, decadent chocolate, captivating books, loud music, warm embraces, and deep conversations because life is fleeting. Today, it remains the same—those cherished experiences are still the essence of what makes life beautiful.
While we may not be as young as we once were, and our energy levels for beauty have waned, we can still embrace the concept of being elegant today. By “elegant,” I mean slipping into our favorite sweatpants, adding an extra spoonful of sugar to our spiced latte, curling up under a cozy blanket, and taking a well-deserved nap. Have I mentioned that I’m too exhausted for elegance?
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In summary, while our definitions of elegance have evolved, the essence of enjoying life remains unchanged. We may trade in our high heels for comfortable pants, but we continue to celebrate the small joys that make each day special.