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| Well, in 45 days it will be! |
And how will I commemorate the day? Well, I've decided I want to throw a
REALLY BIG PARTY!
On the night of Day 364 I want to gather together all of my closest friends and family, and all of the Bay Area body-image activists I can wrangle in. I'm thinking: the fabulous team at About-Face, Marilyn Wann, of FatSo?, the crew at The Body Positive, the creative geniuses behind VolluptuArt, and more (am I forgetting anyone?!).
I'm envisioning cool music, delicious beverages, yummy munchies, and body-positive decorations all over the place. We'll schmooze and booze, mingle to fun tunes, and take lots of pictures. Then, when the clock strikes midnight, we'll all toast to my crazy year and I'll go check myself out in a mirror. (Note to self: purchase a very large mirror for this purpose.)
About the first look: I'm weirded out by the idea of a "sudden" reveal in the mirror. It adds too much pressure to that one moment, and I don't want to feel like a makeover reality show! I mean, what if my first reaction isn't so great? I've brainstormed with friends, and here's what we came up with: We'll cover the mirror with a collage of images and positive messages that remind me of who I am on the INSIDE. I'll take the collage down, bit-by-bit, to see myself gradually while keeping in mind what really counts. I'm psyched!
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| Inspiring! |
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Gradually removing positive images from a mirror feels as if you lack security and the experiment is about learning to accept your image, rather than taking a step back from vanity.
ReplyDeleteGood luck whatever you decide.
Hi Joan,
DeleteExcellent points, and things I'm thinking about too! I'm not quite sure how to get around being at least a little "vain" during my first look in the mirror, but I think it's whatever comes after that night that will count. As for removing positive images from the mirror... do you see a good way around it (that doesn't involve swooping a curtain off of a mirror for dramatic effect!)? I'm planning to keep the collage / sticky notes, and the notes are NOT going to be about how I look, but about who I am as a person, and what my body can do, rather than how it looks...
Almost there! Gradual sounds best. Love the diff post-its idea.
ReplyDeletePs- it's 365 & 364 not 265 & 264 :)
yikes! Thanks for the heads-up on the typos... this is what I get for writing a blog post at midnight after running 8 miles at the gym.... :P
DeleteThe party sounds like a great idea!
ReplyDeleteJoan's comment is a good one, too.
Masking tape... Its not pretty but it can be written on and it won't damage anything.. Artist use it all the time.. or at least this artist
ReplyDeleteGood thinking! Another reader emailed to suggest painters tape, so that's another option along these lines. Cool stuff!
DeleteWrite a note on the mirror itself in lipstick so that once all the posts are gone, the reminder remains. Kind of like having pictures of your wedding so that once the day is gone, the reminder remains.
ReplyDeleteI would also add local press to your guest list. What a great and inspirational human interest story. Who knows... maybe the story will spread and become a movie!
Hi Katie!
DeleteWhat a fun idea! If only my handwriting weren't soooo horrible. Good thinking on inviting the press.... I might partner with About-Face (where I volunteer) to see if we can't send out a press release or something. A movie - oh that would be a kicker!
This sounds brilliant :) You read my mind. I was going to ask you tomorrow about your plans for the completion of the project! I love this idea. Such a great way to celebrate everything you have learned!! :)
ReplyDeleteSee you tomorrow!!
Laila
p.s. my vote is to cover the mirror with various photos of you through all stages of your life and then have folks write post its to you to add around the frame. then through the night we peel away the photos only!
Or maybe painter's tape - that blue stuff - because it's even easier to remove than masking tape. Actually, if you want to stay away from the drama/suspense/reality show vibe you might think about not doing the mirror thing at midnight. Just having a party on the last night with friends, family, and body image folks would be cool, and you wouldn't have to do a sudden reveal in the mirror. There could still be mind/body positive messages (and mirrors!) decorating the room but the focus would be on moving forward with all you've learned over the past year - not on the clock striking midnight. I still love the idea of a toast at midnight though! And also a toast to all girls and women who struggle with body image for their bravery and strength. Party on!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea about covering the mirror. Great plan. First off, be sure to get a quality mirror. Cheaper mirrors have a fun-house effect. Also it is important that the lighting be good. Since we are talking night time, choose flattering lights. I would avoid a heavily lighted makeup mirror like in dressing rooms, because that implies too much emphasis on the image and is the opposite of the project. You want a mirror that is an architectural and decorative piece rather than a too aptly named vanity. You want a mirror that captures you at your bes and most happy and confident, not you groggy and getting ready in the morning. Pick a place in your house across from something you like the look of and want to see twice. Like on the wall opposite a window with a great view. But not opposite the chair where you eat bon-bons and bum around in front of TV. ;-) So when you do reveal, you see you as part of a very pretty BIGGER picture. You see you in a happy life, in a home, in a place filled with friends. Not in a bathroom. Hope that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteAnd spend effort getting a nice frame for it. You are a piece of art you created - frame yourself as well as you deserve!
As for how to attach - post its are good. And you can tape or glue other things to post its.
But another idea is to have a sort of beaded curtain thing in front - think a curtain made of lots of individual ribbons hanging from a rod (like a curtain rod?). And instead of beads, you have tons of items hanging from the ribbons. Then you can push aside a strand of items at a time. But the great thing is you can keep the whole covering intact and hang it up over the bathroom mirror (or wherever) later, even if you part them in the middle and swag them up to the sides, you have almost a theatrical curtain of good wishes surrounding your mirror. AND you can help to make this curtain of ribbon, since you don't need the mirror to be present when you make the covering. It can be something you keep for a log time.
Good luck!
Great ideas here! I am especially glad you pointed out the "no fun-house mirror" thing... I am going to look for a "real" mirror, and a BIG one too! Fingers crossed that I can find something in my budget range.
DeleteYou know those cling decals with the fake moustaches? You should have one of those stuck to the mirror that is the last to come off. Just so you aren't tempted to take yourself too seriously.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/Accoutrements-Manly-Mustache-Mirror-Clings/dp/B00340JYSC
I love this idea! I just ordered the mustache decals! :D
DeleteRegarding the suggestion of hanging the notes and images from a curtain made of ribbons:
ReplyDeleteIn case folks wanted a visual,
the idea is something of a cross between this idea:
http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.301436001.jpg
and this one:
http://www.build.com/index.cfm?page=product:mediaGallery&uniqueId=821659
Then put together sort of like this but more densely layered:
http://memoriesofabutterfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/WHITE-SHELL-1-Residential-Pent-House-Window-Int.-Designers-Inner-Dimension.jpg
great photos! It really helps to have an image to look at...
Delete