I lay in the bath looking at my freshly painted toe nails. I'd tried a new colour, which was out of character as I'd worn the same iridescent pearl for the last 20 years. This was a glorious ultra glossy crimson red, and as I wriggled my toes it was like all ten of them were shouting at me from the bottom of the bath "check us out!"
Yes. It was time for a change.
I'd had the same hair style and applied my make up the same way for the last 20 years too, I was known for being distinctly 'beige'. I looked at them again, the colour was bold and alive, full of energy ... confident.
I felt my tummy turn over and a tearful lump form in my throat.
Who was I kidding.
I pulled my feet sharply back under the water and glanced quickly over to the nail polish remover, breathing an involuntary sigh of relief at the sight of it, then slipped myself down deeper into the water, toes safely submerged out of my sight.
Everything was fine, I was being silly, it was just some nail varnish for goodness sake!
But I knew it wasn't.
I wanted the change.
Maybe I'd simply gone too far, too soon?
That was it.
What was I thinking?
20 years of being beige and I jump straight to a glossy crimson red.
I knew exactly what I had to do.
Try taupe!
19 comments:
Toss the remover and keep the red.
(taupe made me giggle)
NO you didn't! Fess up... where did that lead? Mid life crises start at the toes sometimes.
I've worn bright red since I began painting my nails in 6th grade. I often think a soothing beige would be a nice change, but can't stand the thought of straying from my "safe" red. Lol!
I like the emotional element to this piece, the struggle with identity. Nice.
I can relate to this - sometimes it's difficult to break from the 'you' that you have presented to others, to yourself even, and let the real you show.
With a little more coaxing from this audience of Magpies, perhaps you will consider a muted red?
a tale naturally told, lovely style.
Taupe?? My dear, keep the crimson. Any other color, why bother?
oh puleese keep the red!
When in doubt, go with red! Clever post!
ha. quite the change...but change is good...taupe, nice. smiles.
my magpie
i enjoyed your magpie - some times we just want a change so badly and we're just afraid of our own courage…
my magpie is here
Stick with the red; it looks nice on you!
rel
I did so enjoy this one. She should keep the red and not be afraid of who she can become. Color is happy!
Your imagery is vivid and flows with ease.
What has prompted this change?
citymom
No! Not taupe! That's for upholstery!
Hi everyone, I'm new to this and left a comment early on ... which I deleted as I wasn't sure whether you were supposed to leave a comment on your own blog!!! ... but I think I've got the hang of it now, so I just wanted to thank everyone for your comments and say, it's great meeting you all and reading your stories, and I'm really looking forward to becoming a fellow Magpie :o)
Change is so traumatic--might as well start with the toes and move up to the hair. Good description!
Thank you T x :o)
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