“I just read your guide to your personal style and actually started tearing up. You, are a WONDERFUL person and I’m sure give confidence to girls who need it. I, having just had a baby, definitely needed a personal style perk me up. I’ve been struggling recently, too concerned after quite a few critics have been openly damning my new found post-baby-body about what I can wear to make people like me more. To make them… stop gawking at what I’ve become. And finding nothing mainstream I really liked and through this failing miserably at what I was trying to do, for the past month I’ve found myself sitting at home… taking care of my baby and doing little to nothing else. Too sad to go outside and face the world any longer.
“Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn’t be able to fly. But the bumble bee doesn’t know it, so it goes on flying anyway.“ Mary Kay Ash.
“No one is 100% original, and as Salvador Dali put it, “Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing”.”
“Turn your flaws into strengths”
“The best color on you is the one you like!”
Those are just a few things that helped me get out yesterday. It was pouring rain and in this sort of humidity, my hair goes absolutely berserk. But I cared not. I threw the mousse in and walked out the door in everything I had so been fearing to wear. With my baby dressed to the rim in his little alligator outfit, and the custom stroller cover I’d ordered for his ride but had been too skeptical of others’ opinions on the colours to actually shed outside. I went out. I spent 7 hours out and received multiple compliments on my outfit, makeup, hair, umbrella, child, child seat… Gum boots! You name it, it was mentioned. This world is too concerned about what other people think… and although people, as I, try to break out of the norm… we’re often beat down by skeptics. Only a few stars shine through and make it their own it seems… So I came back with a beaming smile on my face and wanted to leave my house again, but couldn’t… due to the hour. I’ve spent a month cooped up here and you got me out again.
I want to thank you. I will be religiously following your blogazine as well as everything else you have to say with a sheer smile on my face, I’m sure. While continuing to find my own, personalized style… that involves ridiculously blue lipstick. :)
Thank you. Thank you… Thank you!
Yoshi”
Yoshi – I know the feeling all too well!
When my son was born, I moped for months and then finally got myself out there and found the world was not so scary and unfriendly after all. You look at everyone and everything (including yourself) in a whole new perspective after having a child and I promise that it only gets better. Good for you for getting out there! Having a child doesn’t change who you are – it took me almost 2 years to figure that out. Now I get to have just as much fun shopping for BOTH of us as I used to have for just myself. I do get some funny looks now and then, but I can raise a child without conforming to the “mom look”. Congrats and I hope the best for you!!
Thank you Doe for posting that letter. I thought I had been alone in that feeling for a long time. :)
What a moving, beautiful letter!! I know the crushing feeling of worrying about what other people think of me, my clothes, makeup, hair, speech patterns, everything. This is one HUGE reason I read this blog daily…Doe you inspire me, spur me to try new things, and above all, revel in the fun that it is to be a girl and have all these colors at our fingertips to play with <3
I understand this letter completely, it’s such relief to know that there are other people in the world who go through the same things as you :D this letter really moved me!
I had my daughter when I was 19, and even though I had a baby I wasn’t going to conform to the soft, pillowy mummy dearest stuff lol being the queen of all things different I did everything MY way, and I’m all the better for it! so I’m glad you just ran with it, Yoshi. it’s not worth it to live in worry and fear. I’m young and fabulous and I’m a mother! you don’t have to lose it when you have a baby, flaunt it more!
What a wonderful letter! Let this kind of thing be your go-to whenever the haters start hatin’. ;) You do inspire people every single day, and that is something to be very proud of! It makes everything worth it!!
Yoshi, I’m glad you stepped out there…oftentimes, taking that first step is the hardest part, and once you get over that hurdle, suddenly it doesn’t seem so scary. “Baby body” is nothing to be ashamed of. This kinda goes without saying, but when people are critical, it’s usually their unconscious attempt to divert attention from their own flaws; just because they say certain things does not mean they are RIGHT!! Keep getting out there and flaunting what you’ve got!! It doesn’t matter if people dig it. The fact that you went out with confidence is what will make people drawn to compliment you and be around you. When you have a confident attitude, you can pull off any look at all…that’s really 75% of the key, I’d say!! Congrats on your baby! :)
Oh Yoshi, now you are an inspiration to other people, too! Congrats! :D I am loving all these letters and blog posts, it makes me happy and I am also working on loving myself the way I am.
What a very inspiring letter Yoshi! Even though I can’t identify with you completely because I have no baby. I can identify with feeling pressured to conform to what others think is normal and I used to think being physically different in any way was also bad. A family member once told me I would be more pretty if I lost 10 pounds. In this last year or two I have confidence and I express myself more with my appearance NO matter what others think. I could not be more happy and I get compliments for being bright and unique.
So Yoshi three cheers for you! Keep being your self because your beautiful!
wow, i’m glad she went out!!!
You should never be attached to other people opinion!!! XD
I loved the whole letter, but my favourite part was “the little alligator outfit”. I´d give an arm to see him in it, I bet he looked adorable !”
Doe Deere Reply:
June 25, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Agreed! :D
Melinda Reply:
June 25, 2010 at 8:00 pm
third that one! I must see cute babies in cute outfits!! ^_^
Oh Yoshi, I am so glad the ground under your feet is finally becoming solid. :) Most people just need a little inspiration to find their true style!
How fantastic! I am so happy for you Yoshi, and Doe – you know how much you inspire others! This is just another story that proves how much GLEE you are spreading! Thank you!
You’re an inspiration to us all, and clearly a huge one to Yoshi. :) Thank you.
Awesome!! (: I’m glad she took those first steps, which are always hardest to take. I wish Yoshi the best, and hope she continues to have more and more fun with it! (Just picturing a baby in an alligator outfit makes me gush.)
You know, Doe, you do have a strong, wonderful effect on people in this way… I can relate so much. Reading your blog helps see that one shouldn’t be afraid to be who they are, no matter how different. You’re like… a super-awesome catalyst. (:
This is from a different Yoshi, not me, but, I do really like those first two quotes.
Yoshi, you inspire me, look after yourself and your baby :D
That is so wonderfully sweet.
Doe, your blog truly is an inspiration. And so are you!
Posts like this, as well as the people who read and comment on this blog, make my days brighter. That was awesome! I’m glad to see lovely people taking pride in who they are…and pushing themselves not to worry about what they’re supposed to be! xoxo
This is fantastic, and I completely agree! The world is too concerned with what other people think. I am so glad Yoshi was able to discover all the wonderful possibilities, when you stop caring about other people and live life for yourself.
Doe, thank you for your wonderful blog and for your great message of empowerment and confidence. You are such a great role model! Thank you once again!
Having a child definitely helps you find out who you really are. It is great to hear that you embraced it. I went through a period where I dressed and looked more conservative because I am a mom, but quickly realized that the label “mom” does not define me (nor should it have to define any woman). My children are top priority to me, and I know that it is best for them to see me happy with myself as I am (as opposed to how other people think mom’s should look). Keep up the good parenting, and take care of yourself.
OH sweet mama!!! i know what you are going through! It takes so much courage and preparation, just to leave the house! My daughter is 15 months now and she just started sleeping through the night. i forced myself to go places even though it was completly exhausting. also i used to be a toothpick and now i am a size 10 its hard for me to adjust i dont feel beautiful. but my husband tells me i am. and i remember how i thought other ladies who were more bountiful sizes, were just as beautiful and i call up courage and take risks. We are proud of you! keep going and things will get easier. And thank you doe deere for being amazing and inspiring and reminding us of all the beauty that is to be found in this magical world.
I really appreciate all the encouraging comments…
After the inspiration from Miss Deere over here, I needed to let her know how she’s affected my life when so many others have tried and failed.
I’ve had many friends in my life telling me I should just go out and do it but that’s certainly a lot easier said than done.
I had no clue somebody else believed in unicorns and fairy dust just as much as I do until I discovered LimeCrimeMakeup and stumbled across the blogazine at the bottom. How glad I am I did…
I need to say though, my son… LOVES my new lipstick. If I put it on and smile at him he starts laughing hysterically and it’s simply adorable ;3 So we both thank you, Doe.
And to all the wonderful comments, thank you as well. I not only teared up at this but decided to forward the post, and entire blogazine via Facebook. You have many more faithful followers Doe.
Aligator socks&outfit@Gymboree. Total transaction amount for one Onesee, one pair of pair of pants&one pair of socks = $87.
I think I’ll stick to thrift stores from now on ;o