Lightening The Load

Lighter Makeup for Busy Moms

I’m going to tell you about a Sunday morning routine that became a gentle nudge toward a grand realization. On the surface, it was just about makeup, but somehow, it went much deeper. It’s not every day that you find yourself connecting your beauty habits to the more considerable weight you carry in life, but that’s precisely what happened to me.

We do not have lazy Sundays in our household. Sundays are early breakfasts, team practice, quick lunches, and last-minute schoolwork. You’re going to find out about this simple moment when I reached for my foundation and opted for less—less product for a lighter, more natural look for yet another busy Sunday. But this wasn’t just about using fewer cosmetics; it was a metaphor for shedding unnecessary layers that we accumulate without even noticing.

This introspective moment, though subtle, got me thinking about the weights I carry in my life, both in my handbag and beyond. Why does my handbag feel like a rock? What’s inside that I can’t seem to part with? And this isn’t just about physical objects, is it? That question extends to the emotional and mental ‘load’ that I, like many of us, carry around daily without a second thought.

This cascade of thoughts didn’t end with pondering the contents of my purse or makeup bag. It propelled me to consider how I could start lightening these other loads—those not so easily seen or quantified but felt deeply. The benefits of letting go were becoming clear, and the desire to unburden for a lighter, more fulfilling tomorrow took root.

In my opinion, streamlining your journey by removing clutter from your life is more than an act; it’s a commitment to achieving a focused and fulfilled existence. Now, let’s take a closer look at the actual weights we carry—both seen and unseen—and why identifying them is the first critical step to shedding those layers.

Identifying the Weights We Carry

Have you ever considered what you’re literally and figuratively hauling around? I’m talking about the unassuming, seemingly indispensable items that fill up our handbags and the intangible worries that crowd our minds. A comment from my youngest, about the weight of my handbag, sparked more than just a fleeting thought; it ignited a deep introspection.

Being a ‘dance mom’ means being prepared. Snacks, tissues, clothing, gear, and a slew of other ‘just in case’ items fill my bag to the brim. But when does preparedness become excess? It’s quite the metaphor for life, where the ‘just in case’ mentality can lead to emotional overload. Every day we carry more than car keys and credit cards; we tote around worries, expectations, and pressures.

In that moment, as my child struggles to lift what’s become a mobile storage unit, I wonder, ‘Why is my load so heavy?’ What are the ‘extra foundations’ that I’ve convinced myself are necessary? I guess it’s easy to accumulate items over time, convincing ourselves each is essential, yet rarely stopping to evaluate their true utility.

And so, I began to methodically comb through the contents of my bag, item by item, questioning their presence. Simultaneously, I contemplated the parallels with my mental inventory. What am I carrying in the form of concerns and commitments that serve no real purpose now? It’s a question worth asking, as I prepare to lighten not just my handbag, but my heart and head as well.

Shedding Layers: Toward Emotional and Mental Unburdening

You can’t always see emotional and mental burdens, but you sure can feel them. They’re like that extra sweater you carry ‘just in case’ or the old receipts and bills stuffed at the bottom of a bag. Invisible, unnecessary weight on your shoulders, affecting everything from your mood to your posture.

I’m going to let you in on something: it’s not just about throwing away the old concert tickets from your wallet. It’s about taking a hard look at the fears, the ‘what ifs,’ and the old grudges you’ve carried around for far too long.

Here’s a revelation I had. If my bag’s contents could cause such a noticeable weight, what about the things on my mind? You see, every ‘yes’ when I wanted to say ‘no,’ every commitment made when I felt overextended, it all added up. It’s high time I—and perhaps you—started to prioritize.

You’re going to find out about simple but effective ways to let go. Start with recognizing what matters and what doesn’t. Your kid’s laughter is a keeper, but the pressure to bake the world’s best cookies for the school fair? Not so much.

This isn’t just about feeling lighter; it’s about making room for growth. When you release guilt, resentment, or the compulsion to please everyone, you make space for new experiences, for joy, and for peace.

Choose something that resonates with you: journaling, therapy, or maybe nature walks. These aren’t just activities; they’re outlets for expression and processing. They can help you unpack those emotional bags that you don’t need to lug around anymore.

Benefits and Pathways to a Streamlined Life

I’m going to be honest with you. When you start to declutter your life, both physically and emotionally, you’ll feel a tangible shift. It’s not something that’s reserved for those ‘other people’ who seem to have it all together. It’s for you, too. You’re going to find out about a quality of life that perhaps, until now, you’ve only dreamed about.

Think about the last time you were in a tidy room or a well-organized space. Your thoughts were clearer, weren’t they? Now, apply that feeling to your life. Less clutter means fewer distractions and fewer distractions lead to more focus. When you streamline your surroundings and your mental load, you’re carving out space for what truly matters.

And guess what? The benefits are plentiful. We’re talking about increased energy, sharper focus, and improved mood. You may also notice that you’re more productive and that decision-making comes with less hesitation. So choose something that resonates with you — whether that’s donating clothes you no longer wear or delegating tasks that don’t require your direct attention.

Don’t worry too much about trying to perfect this process overnight. Remember, your first attempt doesn’t need to be your last. Start small, maybe with just one drawer or one thought pattern that’s been bothering you. You can always adjust your approach down the road.

So my question to you today is, are you ready to feel lighter, more present, and more engaged in your life? It’s not just about shedding a few pounds off your handbag or selecting a lighter foundation. It’s about opening up your world to a new mindset where you welcome harmony and productivity over chaos and stagnation.

I hope that you take this journey to declutter and unburden your life. Start today, and you’ll soon be enjoying the perks of a more streamlined, focused, and fulfilled existence. Thanks for being here with me on this exploration, and here’s to a lighter, brighter future for us all!

Tell us about your journey in the comments below.

Dee J.