Generation Fabulous Reinvention Stories…Here’s Mine!
Every now and then,
she walks through my mind…
she walks through my mind…
Capable, determined,
diligent….
diligent….
Dressed in designer
clothes and killer heels….
clothes and killer heels….
Some weeks traveling on as many
as ten flights per week to powerful cities…
as ten flights per week to powerful cities…
There I was in my twenties rocking the professional
world. But, at 31 years of age, a CPA
would capture my heart and take me to a new place where three children and
homemaking awaited. Again, let me say, I
have no regrets about leaving my career to go to the home front; however, I do
regret I placed me in a corner and forgot I was important.
world. But, at 31 years of age, a CPA
would capture my heart and take me to a new place where three children and
homemaking awaited. Again, let me say, I
have no regrets about leaving my career to go to the home front; however, I do
regret I placed me in a corner and forgot I was important.
Everyone received my attention…children,
students, home….just not me. When I
looked in the mirror each day and grimaced, I believed I did not have the time
to deal with the image. Negative
comments from family only reinforced my desire to hide and be invisible. I began to believe I could not measure up…so,
why try.
Then one day….something snapped. I picked up my new driver’s license at the
mailbox…you know, the renewal/money grab they require when one turns
fifty. For some reason, the picture
struck me. Who was this woman? It was as if I saw her for the first
time. She was so sad to me…aging and not
caring one bit. Plain, vanilla, old.
mailbox…you know, the renewal/money grab they require when one turns
fifty. For some reason, the picture
struck me. Who was this woman? It was as if I saw her for the first
time. She was so sad to me…aging and not
caring one bit. Plain, vanilla, old.
That was the day, ten years ago, my reinvention began. Since then, I have been on a path to look
better, feel better, and enjoy every single, blessed day of life. New haircut and color…new makeup…healthier
eating and living…wardrobe upgrade (Let’s face it, when all you wear are men’s
over-sized polos and your mother-in-law’s hand-me-down jean shorts, anything is
an upgrade)…pedicures…facials…pampering just for me…and I do not feel one bit
of guilt over it, like I might have when my children were younger.
better, feel better, and enjoy every single, blessed day of life. New haircut and color…new makeup…healthier
eating and living…wardrobe upgrade (Let’s face it, when all you wear are men’s
over-sized polos and your mother-in-law’s hand-me-down jean shorts, anything is
an upgrade)…pedicures…facials…pampering just for me…and I do not feel one bit
of guilt over it, like I might have when my children were younger.
With each day of seeing a more vibrant and polished image in
the mirror, my confidence and joy returned a hundred fold. This was when I began to help other women
around me do the same…which led to my best friend recommending
three years ago I write a blog. For a
writer, blogging is water to a parched land.
the mirror, my confidence and joy returned a hundred fold. This was when I began to help other women
around me do the same…which led to my best friend recommending
three years ago I write a blog. For a
writer, blogging is water to a parched land.
I have become a new transformer toy. Slowly changing from
a frumpy, invisible high school teacher and mom, to a fabulous, confident
fashion and lifestyle blogger and writer!!
At sixty, seriously?? Yes, and
what is even better is that as a blogger, I have met so many amazing women who
also have reinvented themselves later in life.
Fashion designers…jewelry designers…business owners…a doll
maker…life coaches…authors…fashion models…actresses…so many from the Baby Boom
generation who have said, I AM NOT DONE YET!! And I am now going to pursue and
do what I love!! It takes patience,
diligence, desire to learn, creativity, and perseverance. Yes, reinvention can be achieved.
maker…life coaches…authors…fashion models…actresses…so many from the Baby Boom
generation who have said, I AM NOT DONE YET!! And I am now going to pursue and
do what I love!! It takes patience,
diligence, desire to learn, creativity, and perseverance. Yes, reinvention can be achieved.
All of the spunk of that twenty-something professional is
still deep inside…now she looks great in fashionable flats and cool
styles…maybe she doesn’t travel as much…but she is still rockin’ her world. And
there really are days when she feels a little like Clark Kent becoming Superman. All you need is a phone booth,
and to know…
still deep inside…now she looks great in fashionable flats and cool
styles…maybe she doesn’t travel as much…but she is still rockin’ her world. And
there really are days when she feels a little like Clark Kent becoming Superman. All you need is a phone booth,
and to know…
(This is my submission for a reinvention blog hop
the amazing women of Generation Fabulous….
Great post. I think it's hard to focus on yourself when you are deep in the mommy trenches. I am living that right now. But thanks for giving me a glimpse of the light that may possibly be at the end of this child-rearing tunnel! XO, Jill
Wow, that side-by-side of you with driver's license and then the dark hair, white shirt, dark pants and fun purse does make the case for your transformation. I like the tan heels pictured that are sturdy like a wedge but stylish like a pump. Cute!
LOve your journey to find your authentic self. You are beautiful!!
Great piece! Love all your photos. So inspiring.
I love this post…you are such an inspiration to me. Thank you!
I love your reinvention of yourself. I also went through an invisible phase. But these days, no one would call me that!
Your post made me smile. Thank you.
You are such an inspiration, Pam – and the fact that you have inspired so many others is also truly inspirational! Thanks for all you do.
FANTASTIC POST!! You are more gorgeous today than you were 10 years ago–Vibrabt and ALIVE!!
You sincerely look 10-15 years younger than that driver's license photo! Confident and exceptional.
A lovely transformation indeed.
You are so cute! I love your blog and I'm 43. You truly do communicate strength, confidence and joy!
You are so so right…all things are possible. I remember telling a unwilling contractor that anything is possible and the impossible just takes a little longer! My daughter-in-law had the quote in her classroom and students often asked about it.
Oh by the way, the contractor did what I asked. It took a little longer than planned but it was done, impossible or no!
b+
You are inspiring in part because you are willing to take a risk and share your true self with your audience. Love the positive life force that flows through your blog!
WOW! You look fabulous!
And I need those jeans in your center pic.
I'm glad you're going for what makes you happy now!
Your transformation is breath-taking, Pam. Just an incredible inspiration. I think your story of self-abandonment resonates with so many of us women. It seems the babies came and ourselves walked out the door. More like we threw them out. Like you, I came to an epiphany of my own, and blogging played such a pivotal role in my new self-acceptance. Thank you for sharing your story. It's important.
your story is so inspiring, Pam! I love to read it, and share it with other women who are thinking it's "too late" for dramatic change. Hugs and congrats to you. xoxo
I went off track in taking care of me when my mother got sick and after she passed away.. It was a 7 year hiatus. I am so glad to back taking care of me with absolutely no guilt. My kids are calling this my mid-life crisis… I say if this it, I am dancing joyfully through it. In starting my blog, a goal was to tell me story in hopes that others may benefit and when I get comments from readers who tell me life changes they are making due to my blog, My heart soars and it makes it all worth while. I want to shout from the rooftops and educate young mother's that it's ok to take care of themselves.
Wow! I love this, Pam. Such an interesting and inspiring story! You look at least a decade younger than you did back then.
Pam it is difficult to believe you are the same woman in that drivers licence photo.
You are indeed a heroine to me. You look great and importantly, you look happy!
Tom Scheerer Decorates Book Giveaway!
Fabulous post, Pam!
I am glad that you found this person…not the 20 year old, not the 30+ year old. I like this lady very much.
I found your blog not long ago, and it is inspiring me to try to be little more stylish, etc. Your article rang a big bell – thanks for saying so well what many of us feel
Maggie Fieger
Look at you Pam! I wouldn't have even recognized the woman from before as the beautiful and inspiring woman you are today.
Cheers to you-xx, Heather
Wow, Pam, take about a life makeover. Amazing and inspirational! Just curious what did you teach or are you still teaching?
Wow, Pam, take about a life makeover. Amazing and inspirational! Just curious what did you teach or are you still teaching?
Hi Pat, Thanks for your sweet comment. I have taught journalism (newspaper, broadcasting, yearbook, speech, and photojournalism) for fourteen years in high school!! Still hanging in there.
You are inspirational, certainly, to others who thought life was "done." But, I wonder if you realize what an inspiration you, and other powerful boomers are to those of us who are slightly younger. I'm in the generation between the boomers and the x'ers. We're watching you. As little girls we watched you battle for women's rights. And we came of age without those stereotypes binding us. As young women, we watched as you struggled with mom vs career and learned that there is no "wrong" choice; you make your own way. Now, as we reach the back half of life, we're still watching and we're still learning. Thanks to you and women like you, we're learning that "age" is just a number, and you can still be anything you want to be.
Thank you.
Virginia, This comment gave me chills. Thank you so much…I am humbled and touched by your observations. Thank you for the encouragement!!
Pam, after reading this I can't help but think that we are all living in such an opportune time. So much available now we didn't have before as women. Amazing really! Your transformation is beyond inspiring! XO
Pam, what a fantastic post! I love that you not only helped yourself but have gone on to help others. Very inspirational!
I've read some of your story here and there before, but I enjoyed this version…and I like the addition of the notorious driver's license! You look amazing in skinny jeans! So jealous!
You are gorgeous!