Not long before joining TGAAD, I was tutoring English as a second language to low-income women seeking to better their lives. Most faced numerous obstacles in their efforts to improve their English. While working two (or three) jobs, many of these women rode two (or three) busses to get to the learning center in order to obtain their education. The women I tutored inspired me each and every day I worked with them and constantly left me with a feeling of gratitude for my good fortune.
If I began the day before a tutoring session bemoaning “ugh, I have nothing to wear today”, I would sometimes get to my session to find my client using the learning center’s free clothing bank while she waited for me to arrive. There she could obtain a warm winter coat for her child, or an interview blouse for that second (minimum wage) job she hoped to land. I was always humbled by that experience and would feel a bit ashamed about my earlier whining to myself.
I guess what I’m seeing through TGAAD is how much our experience of this “diet” is impacted by our surroundings and by the people with whom we associate. Ironically, TGAAD is likely much harder to stick with for those of us who have — and are surrounded by — material wealth and possessions (especially hip, expensive clothing!). If, when I went to work, all I saw were the hippest, newest, “in” fashions, I would probably be struggling with this process much more than I currently am. I’m guessing TGAAD dieters in the fields of design, marketing, advertising or retail have it tougher than those of us in fields such as social work, counseling, law enforcement or legal aid.
Thoughts anyone?
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I totally agree. Last week I went dancing with a group of girl friends. We were Salsa dancing at a local dance school/club. When I left the house I thought I looked pretty hip, when I got to the dance club I felt dowdy and boring. Other women were dressed in feminine dresses that showed a lot of skin. It had been a while since I had been “out on the town” and my outfit didn’t help to fool anyone.
I work from home so most of the time my only audience is myself and a few other business owners in my building. I suppose if I worked in an office I would have a much different impetus to show off my style.
Cathy: this is exactly the kind of thoughts that have been rolling around in my head. The idea of those who this diet-idea would be ludicrous to–because they’re just happy to have something to wear vs my ability to afford a closet-full What is the right balance for me? How to enjoy clothing and the way I feel in an outfit yet not going overboard and buying, just to buy–want vs need. I like this idea of reflecting on the impact of our personal environments. Thanks for putting it out there. . .