Dressing up!

One of the things that I have realised as a result of my life completely changing direction recently, is just how much time I spent trying to grow up fast. I think I was imagining that life would be so much more fulfilling and complete once I was out of my teens and married. 

I forgot to do the things that make me happy. Forgot to find out who "me" really is.

Let me give you an example. I'm using this as an example because when i told some of my married mum friends about this a few days ago, they looked at me like I was nuts. Or having some kind of premature mid-life crisis or something. My fabulous friend is having a joint birthday part and the invite says  "come as your favourite disney character"! I have discovered just how much I love dressing up! I love making costumes and wearing them. 

Sure, I went through my goth phase at college (and never really got past it, in all truth),  but this is more. This is about wearing crazy stuff that I could never where every day (because corsets and cycling really don't mix well) and really enjoying myself.  I wonder whether this is about lost childhood or discovering the fun side of being an adult. Have I regressed or progressed?

Is there a reason that we feel we can't indulge in things we really desire to do. Is something being considered "childish" really a reason to dismiss it? In the same way that adult colouring has made a massive resurgence - Johanna Basford's latest book sold 55,000 copies in it's first week of release alone - could there other aspects of our lives that we've banished to the closets of a childhood long forgotten? For example, we've become very quick to dismiss those who attend comic conventions or play online RPG's to the realms of geeks or nerds who, in our heads, wouldn't look out of place in The Big Bang Theory but perhaps we're missing a trick...

There is a wealth of evidence to suggest that belonging to a community, be it faith, sporting, artistic or a hobby, feeling part of something and that others are with you and that your passions are validated, has a hugely positive effect on our mindsets. Maybe as adults we need to open our minds a bit more what those communities might look like...a hobby and a community could be the very thing that will help you feel rejuvenated, less stressed and burned out.

Back to the party - I'm lucky that my darling man has gotten as much into the spirit of this as I have. We're not doing the conventional. So steampunk, slightly grungy Cinderella and Prince Charming is where we're pitching it. So excited! My fabric has arrived and I've been scouring Pinterest for ideas. Just hoping it's going to turn out vaguely decent. But my man is going to look awesome, that much I do know.

Will post pictures when it's finished :-)
Ax