Authentic
It started a few months ago when I decided to stop coloring my hair and to embrace my grey. Friends, shocked, asked me why. Part of it was the time and the expense, but mostly it was about being authentic. It didn't feel like the "real" me. The fact that there are a number of women at work, my age or younger, with gorgeous grey hair didn't hurt either. It will be a journey of a sort, getting to grey. I didn't want to stop cold turkey. I am a bit vain after all and didn't want to show up at work with a stripe of grey down the center of my scalp, looking like a skunk. So, I've added some ash colored highlights. The grey will blend with the highlights as it comes in. So far, I'm loving it -- and people compliment my new "fun" hairstyle.
I'm also moving toward cooking and eating real food. I've increased fruits and vegetables and decreased processed foods. We eat local fish and produce. Of course our eggs are very local. I'll never be able to fully give up refined flour completely, but I'm going to try to make French bread a treat instead of a staple. I could eat an entire baguette with good butter or cheese.... Control, Annette, control. Get a grip.
Lastly, I think I have always worried a bit too much about what people think. Maybe its my upbringing, maybe its just me. The funny thing is that my job involves a fair amount of confrontation; something I hate. I don't want to be more confrontational and I'm not interested in standing on a soapbox, but I do want to be true to my values and emotions. I am my mother's daughter in the stoic German way I hold emotions in -- and that isn't healthy. I'm not talking about raving lunatic rages. I'm talking about telling those I love how happy they make me; about laughter and tears and not hugging hurt to myself.
Horses have helped me on this journey. Horses don't do fake. They see past the surface and respond to the core of a person. At its best, riding is all about an authentic relationship and unspoken communication. That's been my goal with riding. Every horse I've had has taught me about myself. I've found peace and harmony; I've faced fear and frustration; I've learned to embrace "try" and let go of perfection. Jackson, in particular, taught me that one. Lucy, I think, is teaching me about joy.
That sounds like a very good word for the year. I think my word for 2015 is going to be Relaxation.
ReplyDeleteThe new 'do' looks really nice... but I'm a wash-and-wear hair type myself. It's easy and I never really liked to fuss with my hair.
ReplyDeleteI never colored my hair. It grows so fast that I would have been in the salon every week for 'touch-ups' .
Once when I was baby-sitting, the grandmother complimented my on my 'highlights' :).
When I told her that it was natural and that I didn't color my hair she did a 180-deg change and said -- you should get the grey covered up!
Like you, I felt the time and expense were better spent elsewhere. Besides hair salons have never been a sanctuary for me.
M in NC
now that's a great word. I've been thinking about embracing my gray as well. :) And was going to do your plan! So let me know how it works.
ReplyDeleteEd and I have also been on the path of eating unprocessed, local foods. Having our own garden and a market up the street has helped with that.
I don't know what my word for 2015 will be. I have to wait and see.
Excellent!
ReplyDeletegood for you. i've never colored my hair and am embracing each gray that comes in - and they're rushing it these days! :)
ReplyDeleteas for the german stoic mother, i had that training, too. no mushy, huggy, emotional shows of feelings unless it was birthday hug and kiss or maybe christmas. and lock in the bad stuff. good for you for trying to un-do a bit of that. :)
A perfect word choice Annette. I'm all for letting your grey hair show...it will be beautiful. I never saw you as a processed food person..you are a master in the kitchen. As for the ponies, they will read you every time. The best part of all this, is that you know yourself and are not afraid to say so. 2015 is going to be a good year for you!
ReplyDeleteI had black hair and actually lightened it to chocolate brown for a number of years. I stopped colouring my hair a couple of years ago and was delighted with the results. I think my white/silver is my most favourite colour that I have ever had. :-) Smart idea to put highlights in.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lori....I think 2015 is going to be a good year for you.
Not coloring mine either - officially. ;D
ReplyDeleteFunny thing is - the tons of natural highlights I have from the sun are camouflaging the gray pretty handily. And in the winter, iron laden water in the Shimmy Shack "stains" the lighter hairs. I personally can't wait not to be washing in well water, but people have complimented my "look" lol.
Big mushy hugs to you friend on the opposite coast! ♡
well then, i think 2015 will be the best year yet for you !
ReplyDelete((side hug from another stoic german girl))
I think that your hair is really cute! From someone with grey hairs starting to pop up, thanks for being an inspiration. Authenticity is a great thing to strive for and good for you for picking it :)
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of embracing a word rather than a list of goals. Your hair looks cool!
ReplyDeleteI, too, am going gray and not coloring my hair. I am 35, so I am certainly in the minority genetically and by choosing not to color. I don't really mind the silver, but the texture of those gray hairs gets a little wild. People finally do not mistaken me for a teenager, although I did know a girl in high school who was going gray then.
This is the third time I have tried to read and comment on your post. Hopefully I won't get interrupted again.
ReplyDeleteI think grey hair will suit you well. If you change your mind later you may consider trying henna. Inexpensive, natural, subtle and doesn't "grow" out, just fades.
Now that I am not feeding a family, my refrigerator contains mainly whole foods. So much easier to control what I eat. I envy your fresh fish.
I can tell you put a lot of thought into this and I celebrate your word. You are a kindred spirit. We also both have one of those jobs where making friends is not part of it. It works on the ego - which puts us in practice of letting go of ego.
I love the idea of "authentic." I've been thinking of the same thing. I also dislike confrontation. I'm pretty good at telling those I love how much they mean to me, but I've had another issue of allowing certain people to disrespect me.
ReplyDeleteThere are a couple of people in my life who are subtly snarky--and I've always tried to ignore it to keep things running smoothly. I don't think I can do that anymore. When I allow disrespect to avoid confrontation, I'm really disrespecting myself.
I prefer people own their feelings and be honest about them and respect each other enough to articulate their grievances rather than leak toxic (subtle/vague/sneaky) insults.
I wish you much luck and courage on your path to authenticity--and hope for some luck and strength for mine, too!