Let me start by saying this: I am not a mom (unless you count my dog as a child) but I have worked with many a mom in my career as a personal stylist. So the thoughts I share on style and motherhood do come from a place of experience.
Just gotta put that out there before y’all come after me with your pitchforks …
Now, whether you are a mother or not I believe we can all relate to having extremely full lives where other people’s agendas seen to come before our own.
It’s tough, and often one of the first things to be placed on the back-burner is our style.
Let me introduce you to our next Anti-Style Type in the series, Messy Mommy
Messy Mommy is a straight up warrior, a gangster but unfortunately, she has the scars to prove it. Messy Mommy bought life into this world so we can cut her some slack, but there comes the point where it’s time to give Messy Mommy time out.
MM wears whatever is clean and whatever isn’t clean – it doesn’t matter. Matching, not matching doesn’t matter. Messy Mommy is just trying to get through the freaking day. Comfort is king, and any inkling of style has taken the backseat.
What’s really going on?
Mommy is of course exhausted from the lack of sleep, she’s stressed, and she feels alone. I’m not discounting any of that. However, I’ve found based on the work I’ve done with my clients that it goes much deeper than that.
Mommy has not only lost her body (it belongs to her children now), but she’s lost her sense of self. Mommy might be a bit resentful, and she might be afraid to do anything for herself because her kids need her – spending money on clothes seems just absurd. Not to mention the size of her body has changed, so the idea of buying for this new body (the body she doesn’t want to keep) doesn’t sit well with her. In short, Mommy is feeling hopeless and in a way just wants to throw in the towel. Throwing in the towel, however, has so many repercussions – what if her husband isn’t attracted to her anymore, what if she spirals into a depression?
What’s a girl to do?
Messy Mommy needs some pampering, seriously! Showing up for yourself makes you better everywhere else. You gave the world a gift (your kids), now give one to yourself. If anyone deserves it, it’s you. Start small with something like a manicure. You can even fantasy shop online if you aren’t ready for the real yet. Tiny indulgences will add up to full on taking care of yourself.