Mindful, Demure, Cutesy?

Dearly beloved,

Okay, so you may have heard these words recently and understand the whole trend, but maybe not. They've originated from a TikTok influencer talking about how to show up for work and... wear make up, that kind of thing. To be honest, the word I hear behind it all is "ladylike" and if you've ever, in your life, been advised to be "more ladylike", this trend can really get under your skin. There are a lot of people embracing it, a lot making fun of it and some just plain hate it.

Of course it also bring up "mindfulness" which isn't really the same as say being mindful or considerate of others, which I think I'd go along with.?

I think it's the "demure" concept that really winds a lot of people up - the call to be modest, not loud or outspoken, or even as one definition has it "coy".?

I'll be honest, I don't think you could call me remotely demure yesterday when I yelled at some people who weren't letting me and other passengers off a train. I know it had been a frustrating day down here with train travel and I'm guessing people were scared of missing the train, but honestly, slowing down people getting off it does not help the situation. So yes, some words were used. Words that were not ladylike and certainly not cutesy!?

I've been watching the bloopers of Absolutely Fabulous on YouTube and I just love seeing Joanna Lumley going one second from the quintessential English lady to a snarling harridan in the next second. Perhaps she's more my kind of influencer than the one who started this trend!

People often equate roles like being a teacher, or even a shaman, with always being full of peace and love, with being selfless, or for example carers are often perceived as self sacrificing. But I think the truth is usually more complex than that, people are more complex than that, and whether we're intentionally setting out on a spiritual path, embracing the concept of being a spiritual warrior or just living our lives one day at a time, life often calls on us for what sometimes seems like impossible strength.?

And part of that is the strength to stand up for ourselves - whether it's trying to make our way along a crowded train platform, saying no to unreasonable demands or just getting loud about something we care about.

Sometimes it's the strength to just look different -?I was thinking earlier about this story in Friends?- I think it's why Zumba works for me when hardly anything else does! "I feel so free and so graceful." (But not demure or ladylike!!)

Lots of love, Pearl

P.S. I've been releasing some Shorts on YouTube - clips from my new series of videos - and they've been getting very popular -?check them out here.??

Monday 30th September 2024?10:15-11am (Doors open 10am) - Zumba Gold

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