Unapologetic continuation

Well my dear readers, I didn't do as well as I had planned this past week in being unapologetically me but I feel as if I did pretty well for my first week.  I had some moments where I apologized for things that I really didn't need to apologize for but there were a few times I was able to keep myself from apologizing (or from not allowing "me" to show).

I started Monday off right by wearing what I wanted to wear (right down to my shoes/accessories) but as the week went on, there were some days I didn't take that extra time to make sure I was adorned in my "fun" accessories.  I think I need to start taking that extra time before going to bed each night and laying things out for myself for the next day (kind of like when I was back in school) so I don't have to worry about it in the mornings.  I figure maybe this way I won't run out of time and forget my armor in the AM when I'm get up and have to rush to work.  Sure, maybe I use my fun earrings/accessories/shoes as a form armor but maybe I also use them as a way to just express myself.

Yesterday I had an opportunity to express myself in a different way.  We had a dance gig about an hour away and my instructor asked me to lead the gig (she was unable to go).  I wore a new costume (thanks, Mom!!!), tried something new with my makeup and used my newest sword.  After the performance, one of the people from the audience approached me and told me that I was a "gothic gypsy" and the hostess of the show went on to refer to me as a "gothic gypsy goddess."  I've been working on defining my dance style and up until now I've been going with "darkly sparkly."  I think I like "darkly sparkly gothic gypsy goddess."  I know that's kind of a mouthful but I like it.  =)

After the performance yesterday, I decided to do something that I've been wanting to do for some time now - I got one of my ears pierced again.  I have had one stud in the upper cartilage of my right ear for a number of years now but I've wanted to have more than one.  Yesterday was the day.  After I washed all of the makeup/glitter off after the performance, I went on FaceBook and saw that the place I was thinking of going was advertising specials for piercing yesterday so I decided to chance it and go.  I didn't have an appointment so I wasn't sure if they could see me but the piercer took me back as soon as I walked in the door.  I opted to have two more cartilage piercings added to my right ear and I absolutely love the look of it.  I don't know what convinced me that yesterday was the day but I'm very glad that I did it for me.

Something else that I'm going to do for me is I'm going to take a few weeks off from the things I feel as if I have to do after work.  We have a dance show coming up in just over a month so I'm not going to take off from dance completely but I am going to go down to only one day a week for a few weeks.  I'm also (after next Sunday) going to take a few weeks off of singing in the choir.  I would start with this next week but we're getting a new pastor next week and we're singing a special piece to welcome her.  Once I get past that though, I'm going to take some time for me.  With working 60 hours a week, I need to find some ways to create some "me time."  I even have some of my coworkers telling me that they might start kicking me out of the building after I've put in a full shift - rather than putting in 12 hour days.  We'll see how that goes...

While I was talking to Mom on the phone today, she sent me a photo/saying that I saved to my phone and I said I just might have to print it out and put it on my desk at work.  The saying on the photo is, "There are over 7 billion people on earth and you're going to let one person ruin your day? Don't."  This is a concept I'm going to work on.  I know that I can't change how other people act but I can change how I react to those around me and whether or not I'm going to allow them to effect my entire day.  Something to work on at least.

Well, my dear readers, it has come to that time again where I should bring this to a close and think about getting ready for the work week ahead.  Luckily this week is a short week (gotta love that a Federal holiday falls on a Friday granting me a three-day weekend!) so I know I won't be working a 60 hour week!  We'll see if it ends up being a 48 hour week in those four days or not...  I hope you have a fabulous week, my dear readers, and you find opportunities to be unapologetically you!  =)