This is one of my favorite segments that I’ll be posting on this blog. Here I’ll post my outfit of the day and my amazing Fashionwear. To highlight my Fashionable Friday I’ll take you with me on whatever journey I’m on. It may be a coffee date, Toastmasters event, or a Target run. I want to share my story with all of you while I continue to learn to love my story.
If I’m preaching to the choir I’m sorry. When I’m out somewhere and dressed up, I feel like myself and feel confident. Do I worry about the past and being bullied for being me? Yes. Do I worry that my family failed me (or I failed them)? Sometimes. If I’m happy and doing good in life then that’s all that matters.
Here are the keys to the game when it comes to my non-binary journey and this segment.
Self-love is key in my journey.
Last year after I came off the highs of 2021, I fell down. Actually, I fell right around Christmastime. I was starting a new job and felt like I wasn’t getting the support I needed for my journey. I was without a church home for the first time in 21 years and still am today though my faith is a little stronger than it was a year ago at this time. I was hiding my true self from my parents and almost walked away from my gender nonconformity altogether. Everything I worked hard for in 2021 I almost gave up in a split second just to please people.
I turned it around in the summer after spending time with my family at the annual Fourth of July picnic at the farm. I broke down to my cousin about all that happened in the last year and we both shed tears. Her husband lent both of us tissues and she gave me some very encouraging words. More importantly, I started to learn to really love myself.
Eventually, everything turned around and I was back to being my authentic, beautiful, unique self. I still struggle at home with my fashion (though my Mom has turned a corner) but feel confident when I go out for coffee or off to my meetings. If people want to say stuff, let them. It shows character when someone acts the way they do.
A picture is worth a thousand words.
You’ll see a lot of pictures on these posts and I believe they tell the story more than what I write. As the old saying goes, “A picture is worth a thousand words”.
The top two pics were taken in beautiful October weather at Twin Lakes and the Ligonier Diamond. The bottom photo was from last night. I’ve also been watching videos on Instagram on how to pose for photos. How you do it makes all the difference between stylish and frumpy.
I was hoping to get one of me doing one of those poses and pointing at a storefront or the casino entrance. One of these days I’ll collab with a photographer and we’ll get some great headshots.
On Wednesdays I wear pink.
My friend and second momma Paula (Mason) always tells me I look amazing and wishes she had my fashion sense. My sister and fashion buddy Sara (Newsom) told me at the beginning of this journey, “Fashion is nothing to be ashamed of” and to “Be Proud”. The classic line from the movie Mean Girls may just become one of my mantras, plus I’ve ordered more pink now so I can practice what I preach.
Reading my Queer Eye book last night and listening to Fashion Expert Tan France wax style has given me even more inspiration. He, Antoni Porowski, and my boy Jonathan Van Ness aren’t afraid to go to the other side and wear what makes them feel comfortable. Tan suggests trying things on before I buy them. I risk it because I fear people will look at me weird for buying different clothes.
When in doubt I just keep these two words in mind.
“Be you.”
Stylish 🍒 