I am wearing many layers here and it feels so very reflective of my life at the moment. There is an unpredictable part that is mirroring the weather as I look out my window and see snow this second day of April. Layers become an adaptation and way to cope with uncertainty. There is a heavy part which is a very consuming university project that was not anticipated nor sought after but taken on to assist an unexpectedly and seriously ill colleague. It is overhead every day like a dark cloud until I can get through it. It pushes me against a wall. It is not letting the promise of Spring shine through. My new camera and my sewing projects have been put to the side. I always feel resentful and frustrated when I do not have the time I need to thoughtfully create. The care and feeding of an Instagram, blog and Facebook project without the benefit of a team must happen alongside the rest of a busy life and so my apologies for no Weekend Fashion Bibliography. Let’s just say I gave everyone a bit of a Spring break.
In this look there is a small pop of color like the sun that is playing hide and seek. No socks in defiance of a relentless winter. Sunglasses return, smiles disappear. I wear Yohji, CDG and my beloved Schai returning to familiar favorites that provide both comfort and warmth. Black returns to the color palette reflecting my stormy mood. I have many choices about what comes off and what stays on. What would I ever do without my clothes that express how I feel more eloquently than I ever could?
I find myself longing for Spring, warmth and lightness. I long to shed a few layers but fear what I will find inside, a neglected body not treated very well lately by me. Or scary decisions about what work stays or goes.
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Shedding is quite the perfect word to describe the process I need to attend to this April. It can be used in various ways and can mean different things. I like the way it pairs getting “rid of” something not wanted or needed with “natural process”. It creates room for emergence. Whether it is cleaning out the closet, dropping a pound or so, exfoliating that winter dry skin, letting go of old ways to make money and finding new, changing my mind or attitude or even allowing the room for a new insight or epiphany there is lots to explore around shedding during this transitional month. I look forward to something new and unexpected but I need to make the room for it first.
Is there anything you are thinking of shedding during this month of transition?
I have lots of things I want to shed, with a similar amount of frustration currently about how they are impeding my creative life! 1) I need to shed the bandages on my arm and get through the remainder of the healing process on the arm that I broke at the end of February. 2) I need to learn better than ever how to set boundaries around the demands that others make of me, even when they seem to be professionally or personally legitimate (in other words, I have to stop putting everyone else first!)
I wish you joy and success in your own shedding process!
“Living Life on Purpose”
Shedding the thought process of ‘When I or If I’ and learn to live in the moment. This moment is a gift and learning to being grateful is all that is required. To squander it away on what may never be is a waste because once it’s gone it’s gone forever!!!
The new layers shed can also provide the edge
First of all, I’d like to send love, light, and healing energy to your friend. I also send the same to you as you are feeling overloaded and a little out of sorts. I have been shedding a lot in the last year. Unhealthy habits of my mind and body. Who knew eating much better was easier than getting the old tapes in my head that have an annoying habit of replaying themselves when I need it the least. I’ve been doing meditation every morning while in my sauna, another cleansing habit I’ve indulged in. That helps, but, I need to get better at it. My mind is very good at keeping more than 1 thing at a time in it’s focus. It’s still cold up here in Vermont, so shedding layers of clothes isn’t in the near future. Shedding anything, I think, is a renewal, and ultimately healthy. It can sometimes be a painful process, but, always necessary.
Shedding is to make way for new growth so take it down to see new seeds emerging..I see green and blue …sending good juju for your friend and the emotions of caregiving
Thank you for being so thoughtful, I will tell her.
Thank you for your inspiring words. I’ve realised that’s exactly what I’m coming round to. And the word "shedding" is such an apt descriptor. Let’s hope the process is not too painful!
Clutter and stuff that I have not used for years!
I want to say that for me, even though it’s a different season change than yours, because we’ve just started to fall … but I see a very strong transition process in my life … I need to define a new career, no matter how much they consider me "old" and that I should have been retiring … but it’s not what I think of life. And I’m always in search of new ideas, new directions … I can not accommodate myself, I would say, in a single standard of life! I want more…
When you hold yourself with that approach and present it, people stop seeing categories and they just want to connect with someone who exudes such creativity and life.
First I will shed this horrific flu, and then the fun will begin. I am in the transitional period of shedding "just me" and taking on more of a "bolder provocative me." That grey personality needs take a step (or 3) back to liven up with dashes of color in every aspect of my life.
I love that sentiment, letting yourself be more than just me. Some days though I want to be just me and others a just more me! So let lovely we have choices about our the self we want to be.
I am shedding so many things! I am in the process of transitioning to more of a plant-based diet and giving processed food the heave-ho – and guess what? The pounds are coming off. I am also in the process of paring down – getting rid of too much stuff, including in my wardrobe!
I find shedding very bittersweet – sometimes letting go of an idea or object that had meaning in the past but no longer. Bu t the act of shedding creates a welcome void that invites new experiences that build upon the near empty canvas. I was inspired by your latest writing to review my closet and cull. While choice is a good thing, it can also be overwhelming and sometimes decisions can be made more easily with less.
Your post reminds me of a story from one of my yoga books. It talks about how the snake shedding their skin will be uncomfortable and irritable and that’s okay. It’s always the way I feel in spring. This year however, I won’t be shedding the usual, but my role as a mom (kids off to University). HUGE irritability and some fear as to what will my new skin be as an older woman/lover/mom/creative. I find your post to be thoughtful and challenging.
I love how you write, express, and share – thank you! I’m a huge fan of "shedding" things we don’t need, or that can hold us back, keep us buried. For me this process is an ongoing one, a human one; but for this month of transition, I’d say the shedding is of old, buried belief systems that have been defunct for some time. Uncovering them and letting them go in my spring cleaning of self, ongoing ") Thanks again for sharing!
I am sorry I am late in finding this blog, but find it I did. Thank you for the example you set for all women, especially those of us over 50. I have always struggled to fit into my own style but believe I am finally beginning to figure things out. At least I hope so!
I love all seasons for the display of the variety of me! I like the word shedding as it does seem like a more natural and seamless process than what I have know as purging which sounds cold and ugly. I am in the very process of shedding my winter and thrilling in the wonderful spring and summer finds in the far corner of my closet. Yes, my signature black sunhat and glasses! Sometimes that’s all I feel I need to feel complete as the rest just goes naturally. So glad a dear friend sent me a link to your site.
I love the glove clutch. I first saw my friend wearing one but haven’t seen it anywhere else except here! I absolutely love fashion. I was originally going to open up a retail store, but found the overhead to be overwhelming. As I type this, I realize the irony because I have three restaurants and the overhead is insane. Maybe I am scared to let my inner fashionista come out. Thanks for being so inspirational! Cheers!
I was so excited to actually message you, I forgot to answer your question. I am shedding my scarf. I love my jackets though. Your jackets are such statement pieces. I love them!
To my hero of late 🙂 so love your style.
I find myself @ 50+ and ready to find who I am at nobody’s discretion. I’m letting my hair do it’s thing until it figures out what it wants to do which basically changes with the weather- and taking a healthy turn with my eating style- keto/interval fasting; it tends to work for me at this stage.
So with this weight loss and permanent change in lifestyle- it’s a perfect time to Kerri’up my wardrobe which will require a full clean out of the closet and careful thought on my go-to pieces. I will keep up with your blog to get ideas and advice, and vow to NEVER again buy clothes on impulse unless I know for sure it is part of my new look! Quality- not quantity!
Thanks so much for sharing you- you’re such an inspiration!
I’m shedding the need to visit my hairdresser every four weeks to have my roots coloured. Sitting here now in the hairdresser’s chair, starting the process of going from dark brown to grey, with my daughter who’s taking pics, I feel my old rebellious self returning as I embrace my age and the power of being a 50+ professional woman. Lyn you are an inspiration. Thank you.
I love your blog and this post is so relevant to me just now. However to explain exactly what it is I’m shedding is difficult.
Last September I traveled on my own for the first time in my life and I felt an inner shift. Since then I have noticed small changes. The way I dress is changing to another style and I’ve been losing some old habits. The way I walk, stand, talk and interact has changed ever so slightly. I listen more. I’ve wondered if what I’m shedding is the old self consciousness and what is underneath is a mature woman. It’s about time. I’m almost 52.
Now the real work begins, shedding the toxic relationships.
Learning it’s best not too wait too late.
Shedding is just the word I need to hear. I’ve been stuck in a dead end committee situation that I will now shed and move on. Thank you!!
Shedding is good but could be, not painful, but annoying. The process of getting rid of toxins is a shake and get through a change of attitude or habits so, is not a comfort zone. A trip could be a good start, new energy coming in. Hope you get your way soon. Love your blog, very inspiring and classy. Love. Sara
I have also just discovered you – the internet is still a wonder to me!
I love the way you have compared your relationship with the weather to your relationship with life in general.
We are shedding stuff at home, to have more breathing space and also to make space for a few new bits to brighten it up.
I am ‘of a certain age’ and just learning to let my true creativity come out – I used to find my youthful attitude a burden and I was constantly comparing myself to others who seemed to be further ahead. I’m learning to shed that habit and have fun with discovering more about what I truly want in all areas of life.
After turning 60 last month and looking to become an empty nester next month, I am attempting to shed the ideas of where I thought I would be at this mile post in my life. Not feeling old and ready to retire as I had expected when I dreamed of this day while in my 20s and 30s. How refreshing to see a familiar 60-something woman with short, gray hair and a love of fashion embracing what lies ahead.
I love how connected your style is to your emotions, and you put it across so very eloquently! This feels written like a free verse poem – it is expressive and descriptive with beautifully and aptly chosen words. I aspire to write like you and to dedicate myself to this wonderful craft of fashion as deeply as you have! Your blog is very unique and inspiring.
I would be honored to say the least to have you check out mine and to give me feedback – it’s museovermatter.com. It aspires to promote a more academic and artistic take on fashion. This is not the primary purpose of my comment at all – it is mostly to commend your wonderful creation, perhaps corrupted a little bit of a students desire to get guidance from a professor! 🙂