No Make-up March.
That's the idea that has been placed in my mind for the last week or so. When the idea came up in conversation with a few girls a while back I had no objections towards going through the month long haul without a touch of make-up on my face. I am quite aware of my facial "imperfections" and "blemishes" but I am content in knowing that I no longer need to rely on make-up to feel beautiful. Yes I will admit, there was a time when I would not leave the house till my face was "perfect". But years later, I have found that the women who I find most beautiful are the ones who are radiant with confidence - whether in sweats and with no make-up on, or strutting their stuff with a blazer and heels. Confidence is key. Being content in who you've been created to be is key. Loving yourself - at all times - is key. Those are lessons I learned a few years ago. So why do I feel so challenged to go a whole month without make-up now?
I began to think about my make-up routine: all the things I put on in the morning (foundation, eyeliner and mascara), what I considered the basic essentials (mascara always wins!), what I would skip if I was in a rush (who really needs eyeshadow?), what I would put extra time and effort into if I was going somewhere special... etc.
I thought it all through trying to find something that I relied on...something that would be a struggle for me to give up...something that would make this upcoming month worthwhile for me... and I could honestly say I didn't mind giving any of it up...all I could think about was the extra half-an-hour of time I would get to sleep in every morning! How wonderful!!! - and then my words came back to haunt me! A few weeks ago I remember telling a friend how the only thing that would seriously challenge me and my relationship with God to the next level was if I sacrificed some of my oh-so-precious beauty sleep, and got up earlier so that I could do morning devotions.
I wish I could take that back. If you know me - you know how much I love sleep. The essential "8 hours" is just not enough for me! But at last - I have found my challenge. I have found the purpose and motivation that I was desperately looking for behind "No Make-up March". For the next month, that extra half-an-hour I spent on my make-up routine in the morning will now be put to better use - spending time with God.
Why am I telling you all of this you may ask? So you can keep me accountable. And maybe, just maybe you'll be inspired to join me. Maybe you're motivation is different. Maybe you can't go without make-up for a whole month - maybe try doing it a few days a week, or maybe go without that one thing that you always rely on to feel beautiful. Be challenged. Pray about it. If you decide to join, let me give you one tip of advice - whatever your motivation - be confident and go through with it expecting to see change!
