How many times do you look down at your hands in a day? 20? More? For women, I think it’s more. So it makes sense to have hands you like and are proud of. Until recently, my nails were constantly splitting, breaking, flaking and chipping. When I fiddled with my hands, I’d run my fingers around nails that were rough, frayed and skaggy – a daily reminder that they weren’t perfect.
Now, by contrast, I’ve had (natural-looking) acrylics put on. They’re gorgeous, if I say so myself – although generally I’m not a fan of having fake, plastic bits added to my body.
Every time I wash up, or wash my hands, or wipe down a surface, I know it’s NOT taking my nails one step closer to splitting (water is the No.1 cause of nails flaking). I know they’ll look and feel perfect for weeks. The gel nail polish doesn’t even dent or lose its shine – it’s like chrome (OK maybe it’s not that natural?!) My old acrylics (I had both thumbs done the last time I had a manicure, because they were so short they didn’t even extend as far as the end of the skin) looked as good on Day 20 as they did on Day 1. So, I’m a new convert.
But don’t let me go too far – gently nudge me if I start thinking about having facial fillers, implants, extreme facelifts and/or other procedures that will leave me looking worse rather than better, in my opinion, and can’t be reversed.
For a long time, I resisted having acrylics – although my daughters have them – because I thought they looked too fake, witchy and talon-like. And they can do if they’re blood red, black or other Halloweeny colours. Or if they have blingy diamanté additions: vajazzling for the nails, if you will! And those are great for parties if you want them or if you just like that look. But they’re not for me and the jobs that I do (serious journalism and corporate presenting for quite conservative companies/industries, and/or acting where I may need to have natural-ish nails).
So my point is: do take actions that will have a huge positive impact on your health or self esteem, compared to the amount of time you have to put in to them. Dental flossing is another good example – I timed myself once and it takes ONE minute! Going to the gym is a different issue because it takes a couple of hours (with the travelling there and back) and you have to go several times a week. So, considering I don’t LIKE working out at the gym, it’d be too much outlay for not enough benefit (for me) although I acknowledge exercise is A GOOD THING for our bodies. My husband, incidentally, feel slightly differently: (a) he doesn’t hate working out as much as I do and (b) he thinks sometimes we just have to do things we dislike for the greater good.
And yes, I do now always say “the greater good” in a West Country accent, thanks to “Hot Fuzz”.
