So, I did a something very Heathery
Did you all know I have a WILDLY improbable dream of meeting Hoda Kotb? So much so, What's Left is Hope has a main character who also loves Hoda & talks to her throughout the book (in her head of course).
The TODAY Show has a Connect page where you can connect with Hoda and Jenna. There, you can nominate someone for a makeover. Guess who got nominated?
Me!
By whom?
Me!
I wrote a friggen book called Just Tell Me I'm Pretty and to say that's the last thing I feel lately is an understatement.
Is feeling pretty vital to my survival? No. Is it vain? Probably. Is it helping the world in any way? No. Does any of that matter really? Also no.
When I published JTMIP, someone reached out with an article on why pretty shouldn't be a goal (or something like that). I don't hinge my value as a human on how I look. That said, I've always loved the girly things in life: makeup, curls in my hair, outfits I adore, painted toes and nails, and all things sparkly. I "think" as an evolved woman I'm supposed to shun all that and even look down on any woman who admits she wants any of that in her days. At the bare minimum, I’m not supposed to ADMIT any of this!
I refuse.
If mascara makes me feel better, bring it (even though I can't wear it anymore due to dry-eye). If lipstick makes me smile wider, slather that shit on (as long as it's titanium dioxide free). If curling my hair gives me a pep in my step, curl away (although I can’t because my hair’s falling out). Ugh.
I'm tired of feeling like there's some script for how to be a woman today, a strong woman, an evolved woman, a powerful woman. There isn't and we don't get any sort of certificate or award for denying the things that bring us joy (unless the joy is heroin or something harmful to ourselves or others, then yes, deny that joy).
So, I'm going after a makeover. A frivolous, un-evolved, stupid, vain, makeover. If it happens and I get to meet Hoda, WOOT! If it doesn't, I'll continue to write, to teach my writing classes which bring me more joy than I thought possible, to love my friends and family, and to try to bring some good to the world.
I'll do it in my normal, non-TODAY Show clothes, without mascara, with bright pink lipstick, hair in a bun, and I'll be grateful. Then, I’ll try to figure out another way to meet Hoda that won’t get me labeled a stalker and go buy a new outfit on my own.