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Posted 9/30/2013 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Do you spend as much time on your personal appearance as you did before any of your dxs?

One thing that I try to make sure to do each day is to try to make myself look nice before going out to run errands. Putting an outfit together, doing my hair and putting a little makeup on makes me feel better. I believe I'm happier for the effort. It has an impact on how I feel about myself. Getting myself together is like jump starting my enthusiasm for the day.

Our body language says a lot about ourselves too. We may hurt but we can still smile, and I'm thankful I can still do that!

Hugs, Robin
Posted 9/30/2013 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I do take time for my personal appearance.  Even though I might feel lousy doesn't mean I have to look the part!  turn    I give myself a manicure every week with a nice shade of polish on my fingers and also my toes.  I give myself a pedicure once a month.  My hair is done daily and of course I shower daily, too.  I don't wear make-up unless I'm going out of the house but when I do leave the house I have on eye shadow, mascara, etc.  I feel a lot better that way.

 

I use Oil of Olay for my face and Curel for the rest of my skin so it is soft.  This helps with the itching we can get with fibro, also. 

 

I think taking care of your appearance really gives you a lift.  It's too easy to get dragged down by this illness.  I try to ignore it as much as possible and go about life the way I did before I was hit with fibro.

 

Sherrine

Posted 9/30/2013 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
I've had to change what I wear; I now wear elastic waist pants and flat shoes (not completely due to fibro - I have other health issues too). I probably don't look that fashionable, but I do what I can with the clothing choices I have to make.

I also shower daily and always do my hair and makeup before I go out. I would feel much worse if I didn't concern myself at least somewhat with my appearance. But there is something to be said for those lazy days that require neither! smilewinkgrin

And, I try to be friendly and kind to everyone I come across. I don't always succeed, but it is something I work at.
Posted 9/30/2013 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
At home I'm basically cotton shorts and teeshirt. Going out means jeans & sun protective clothing. I comb my hair but with a hat needed everywhere I go no one can tell.
I've never been a girly-girl so no makeup or perfumes.
Some days are pj days at home as we all know.
Posted 10/1/2013 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
I think it's great if you can keep yourself up.  But unfortunately, the way I put myself together has changed immensely since Fibro.  I do have some pride left - I try to make sure my clothes aren't stained or smelly, and aren't wrinkly to the point where it looks like I slept in them. turn   But they're definitely baggier than they used to be (comfort) and - ugh - I didn't used to wear turtlenecks every bloomin' day from October through April!  mad   

(I do like them for one reason, though - only while wearing one can I wear most necklaces - - they're too cold on my bare skin! yeah )  I can't wear earrings much anymore, because they hurt.  My skin reacts badly.  I used to LOVE long, dangly earrings!  

Makeup is something I'm trying to get into a little more, simply because there are so many things about my appearance I can't do anything about, and it's something I CAN.  I haven't really worn any for many years, aside from eyebrow pencil. 

For the same reason, I'm making more of an effort on my hair (using gel so it's curly instead of frizzy) and clothes (seeing that they fit fairly well and don't look ancient.) 

But it's all still pretty minimal.  And many days, if I'm not going anywhere in particular, I just don't get around to it.

Debbie    

Posted 10/1/2013 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
I have found that I do less since diagnosed with fibro and I enjoy the freedom of it- I appreciate the freedom I feel with not worrying so much about my looks.

My wardrobe has changed- I wear indian tunics with tights or long skirts with comfy shirts. My hair is long and air dries all on its own. When I go to work 2x/week I put on foundation and blush so that people don't ask if I am dying.

On Saturday I ran errands and put an extra 10 minutes into getting ready- ie I accessorized and put on a nice sweater instead of a sweatshirt- and I was getting checked out by guys and had guys doing me favors. It was very refreshing- I hadn't had people doing that in so long! So in a way taking time with my appearance, even small stuff, can have its benefits. It sounds so silly typed out! These things really don't matter but you do notice them when they are gone.
Posted 10/1/2013 4:48 AM (GMT 0)
Amen to that! :)

Debbie
Posted 10/1/2013 6:55 AM (GMT 0)
I live in Alaska and we are known to be the worse dressers. No joke! So I caught myself starting to go down that road. I now work at looking nice to go to church or just the grocery store. I dont get out too much, so I try to look half decent for my husband. I catch myself looking at new clothes when shopping. My hair is real long and I love to do different things to it. I bought a new crimp iron and flowers for my hair. I am going to be 50, but I don't think I look like it. Inside maybe! Lol
Posted 10/1/2013 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
No. I'm just naturally beautiful :) LOL

Hey, that's what my boss and my old roomies often tell me..... and they wouldn't tell me that just to be funny, would they ???

~~~~~~~~~~~

To be totally serious, back when I was all tore up, I think I tried not to even look at myself in the mirror.

Now, I spend SOOO much time working out, hill climbing, cooking awesome meals, etc, and depending on how you look at it, all of this time certainly contributes to my appearance.

Of course appearance is secondary, to just feeling good, and energetic.

Peace,

Fish

Posted 10/2/2013 12:34 PM (GMT 0)
I try. It isnt as easy as it used to be, especially because my fibro comes along with a bad case of chronic fatigue and i also have arthritis. I hate doing my hair because its thick so its harder for me to do and my arms and hands get tired but makeup is easy. Sometimes i feel like im at war with my own body but i wont let it win or get the best of me. I still wear nice clothes, same style as i used to but i have to make sure im wearing the right shoes, i also make sure to always keep a sweater on me because the cold can flare up my fibro. I hope it gets better in time. What doesnt kill us will only make us stronger, smarter, and more beautiful :)
Posted 10/2/2013 1:17 PM (GMT 0)
I have found that as I grew sicker I used less and less make up (not that I ever used a lot)

My dry eye has made it impossible to wear contacts any longer, so now I don't bother with mascara.
I have gone out many a times with nothing on my face and said "who cares"

My dress for success is draw string lounge pants and t-shirt..lol

when I do "dress" up its a pants that zip and button and tucked in shirt!!!! oh and I don earrings too

otherwise I am happy when I have showered, blow dried my hair and put eyeliner and blush on. That's a GOOD day for me
Posted 10/2/2013 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
Well, for hte most part I try to look decent when going out..but at home? Not so much...no bra, and stay in my jammies to clean the house..
Then I get cleaned up and dressed for the day..sometimes it's just to go from one pair of jammies to the next, but hey, some days that's as good as it gets! lol...
Make-up? Not unless it is for a special occasion, wedding or something like that..and I am growing my hair out to donate, then I am chopping it for once and for all!! I have had nice short hair for several years, then hubby mentioned he really liked it a bit longer, so I grew it out..but HATE it on my neck, so it is usually pulled up anyway :)
But, yes, taking just a few minutes on your appearance can make a world of difference in our attitudes and mental state..
Posted 10/2/2013 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
When I go out, yes.

When I stay home, no.

I don't believe in wearing tshirts or shorts or sweats out of the house. Yoga pants are as far as I will go. It's just a thing I have.

One odd thing, never been in to doing my nails.
Posted 10/2/2013 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
Most days, I am doing good to just shower and do a few things around the house. I always get dressed every day, even on the days I feel bad. I usually wear capris and a nice shirt or sometimes a tshirt. I don't wear make up unless it is a special occasion.
Posted 10/2/2013 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
Since my diagnosis pretty much coincided with my retirement for the military, and no longer working, things have changed quite a bit for me. I used to be in uniform every day with hair styled up and conservative makeup. Off duty I would be in capris or jeans and a nice shirt, or dressed up as appropriate for the occasion.

Now since I can't work, I'll be in comfy shorts/yoga pants and a T-shirt/Sweatshirt at home. To go out I still wear the same styles of clothes, though I'm focusing more on comfort for undergarments (no more underwire minimizers) and shoes (lots more tennis shoes/low stable heals and no more high heals)

I do make a point of showering everyday, but if I'm not leaving the house, I'll skip the makeup. And when I do put on make up, it takes me a lot longer because my Fibro is accompanied by a tremor in my hands. For the same reason I don't do my nails with regular polish anymore. For special occasions I'll use press-on nails.

Have a blessed day!
Mari
Posted 10/2/2013 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
Mari, you mentioned tremor in your hands!!!! Is that from fibro???? I get tremors in my hands on and off and was scared to think what was causing it.

I am going to request that I be seen by a neurologist just to be reassured that there is no Parkinsons or God Forbid ALS.

Its embarrassing when they start to t
shake in front of other ppl and I try to hide it.
Posted 10/2/2013 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
Lainey,
I'm still working with my doctors to figure out the cause of the tremor. My PCM and Rheumy disagreed on if it was from the Fibro, a side effect of the meds or something else. I've had a very thorough exam with a neurologist and he had changed my meds, ordered some tests, and wants to see me back in 6 weeks.

He didn't think it was Parkinson's or ALS.

In my case, it's fairly benign/unnoticeable on good days, but feels kinda like that trembling you get inside when you are really nervous. On bad days when I'm in a flare or have over-exerted myself, I shake like a leaf and can barely hold a glass or water, walk up and down stairs, or do anything requiring any dexterity.

While I don't wish this on anyone, it is comforting to know that I'm not alone. Good luck with your neurologist appt!

Have a blessed day!
Mari
Posted 10/3/2013 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
I don't do as much as I used to. Simple hair clips, just enough makeup to hide the dark circles. I dress nice for work, but as soon as I get home first thing I do is change into comfy clothes. I try to spend a little more time on the weekend when going out with friends.
Posted 10/3/2013 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
I cannot leave the house without nailpolish / makeup and some sort of hair style...it makes me feel so much better about myself

Dying my hair is not as easy as it used to be having said that!!!

However, since fibro I have not been able to wear heels - i miss this but feel so much more comfortable in flats or pumps
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