“Embrace your fabulousness today.” –Lila Brooks
Once upon a time, I was youthful. I adored beautiful things and aspired to be stylish. Fast forward to today, and while it’s said that you’re only as young as you feel, my children’s comments about the lines on my face (“Mom, did you know you have—one, two, three, four, five—six lines on your forehead?”) really make it tough to feel that way. Somewhere along the way, the allure of beautiful items became a burden and, frankly, a bit dull. And stylish? Well, I’m simply too exhausted for that.
When I find myself reminiscing about my youthful, beautiful, and stylish days, I remind myself of the stark contrasts between then and now. Let’s be honest, this game of comparing past and present is a favorite pastime for every weary parent. So let’s indulge a little, shall we? It’ll certainly distract us from the line-counting!
Here are ten ways in which stylish then differs from stylish now:
- Then: Spending an hour getting ready before a night out, wine in one hand and a straightener in the other.
Now: A quick three-minute shower, hair hastily pulled back, and throwing on a somewhat clean shirt. - Then: A chic designer clutch barely big enough for a phone and a card.
Now: An impulsive Target purchase (isn’t everything from Target impulsive?) that can carry a wallet, three books, a Lego set, an expired gift card, markers, and even socks. I’ve found a butter knife in there—twice! Yet, I can never locate a pen when needed. - Then: Enjoying long, wine-filled dinners with my partner before heading out for dancing and fun, followed by a Sunday spent recovering from a hangover.
Now: Any dinner where the waitress doesn’t bring crayons for the kids is considered fancy, and I’m happy to sleep until 7 a.m. on Sundays. - Then: Sunday brunches featuring mimosas and Bloody Marys with a beer chaser.
Now: A Pumpkin Spice Latte with an espresso on the side. - Then: Selecting fine china for a wedding registry at Macy’s.
Now: Plastic cutlery and partitioned plates adorned with cartoon characters. - Then: Flaunting designer jeans, a sparkling top, and high stilettos dubbed “wow shoes” by a friend.
Now: Yoga pants that miraculously don’t have yogurt, coffee, or other unidentifiable stains. - Then: Regular trips to the nail salon for manicures and pedicures.
Now: A quick polish application on the toilet while the kids are splashing in the bath. - Then: Indulging in nine hours of sleep on luxurious sheets of 300-thread count.
Now: Five hours of sleep, anywhere I can manage it. (I’m really worn out.) - Then: Savoring rich wines, decadent chocolates, good books, loud music, warm hugs, and deep conversations because life is fleeting.
Now: Still enjoying rich wines, decadent chocolates, good books, loud music, warm hugs, and deep conversations—because life is still too short.
Though we may not be as youthful as we once were, and the energy for beauty might have faded, we can still embrace our own version of stylish today. And by “stylish,” I mean donning our coziest sweatpants, adding a generous spoonful of sugar to our seasonal latte, curling up under a blanket, and sneaking in a nap. I must emphasize, I’m just too darn tired for anything fancier!
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Summary:
The transition from youth to parenthood brings a significant shift in our definitions of beauty and style. While we may trade designer items for practicality, we can still find joy in the little things. Embracing comfort and simplicity can be just as fulfilling as a night out on the town.