Image Credit: CyndiLauper.com
I’ve always loved Cyndi Lauper’s music. True Colours, Time After Time, Girls Just Want to have Fun … The lyrics to True Colours are just beautiful and wholly apt for what’s at the core of my brand and personal values. - helping others to discover who they really are, to be comfortable and confident in their own skin.
But this has been a journey. Many women reach midlife having spent most of their time, often years, meeting the needs of others. Putting others first and themselves last. I know I did. As a single mum, working full time (with NO financial support from my ex-husband) and two small sons, my focus was on them, meeting their needs, fulfilling demanding sporting schedules and fixtures, being there for my elderly parents … sound familiar? Somewhere along the line I lost myself. My quivering confidence was shattered by the toxicity of my alcohol fuelled, infidelity rife marriage, my weight soared and – whoever says stress loses weight is a liar - to which I then added huge amounts of stress and ultimate burnout. I had a nasty health scare with an even scarier misdiagnosis and when faced with your own mortality I don’t think you’re ever the same again.
I decided to get out of my stressful job, supported by my new partner, and left teaching – my career for over twenty years. It was time to pursue a dream of self-employment. The boys were older and increasingly less demanding, although they were, are and always will be my world. And my ‘why’. I knew it was now or never, staunchly believing you’re never too old and it’s never too late to do anything. Or be anything. Life is short. It’s not a dress rehearsal. Live it. Enjoy it. You’ll never get another chance.
This is my second business and one which feels totally aligned to me and my core beliefs. I want to help women to have the confidence to leave that stressful job, to end a toxic marriage, to reinvent themselves, meet their needs and embrace life and all that they are. As an empty nest mama (I refuse to call it empty nest syndrome like a nasty disease, it’s not. It’s simply a stage in life. An opportunity.), I recognise how my sense of purpose has changed. It feels odd to not be putting everybody else’s needs before my own. But gradually I am rebuilding myself, reinventing who I am and finding my true colours again. The girl I was once, 34 years ago.
The feedback I am getting for my online colour analysis services is amazing. It is feeding my self-confidence hugely. I consider it a gift to be able to help other women rebuild their confidence, to reinvent themselves, to embrace the many opportunities life is throwing at the, And it will. If they embrace it. The power of colour is just wonderful. It’s transformational and works like magic. By having a diagnosed palette of carefully analysed colours which are the best for each client to wear, I simply enhance their natural features, create a healthy glow and restore lost mojo. Confidence soars as the compliments fly in. New travels, new adventures, new soulmate – the opportunities are far reaching once you discover your true colours!
