I'M BACK!!!

So, I've been on a self-imposed hiatus.  Unmotivated, overburdened, distracted, disgusted, trying-to-be-discreet and trying-to-get-divorced sums up my absence when I should have been motivated and uber-focused because overburdened resolves eventually, being divorced can be a blessing (especially if you’re married to Satan) and the trying-to-be-discreet part was optional anyway.  So, I’m writing again, blessed, super-duper highly-favored and motivated to do what I love.

I spent my New Year’s Eve in my soon-to-be former house after visiting my soon-to-be renovated new house (I shed real tears when I think about and see the scope of the necessary work) with my brooding, pre-teen offspring and my boyfriend.  The night was quiet, calm and unassuming.  We talked, cooked, baked and generally spent what I consider to be quality time together.  A few days later, after trolling everyone’s New Year’s pics on Facebook and Instagram, it occurs to me that I may have grown up to be boring!  Jesus take the wheel!  I used to be the go-to girl for social events and gatherings.  I grew up in Manhattan, modeled, partied, traveled and generally enjoyed my young life, thoroughly.  

My life changed when I grew up a little, met Lucifer, fell head-over-heels in love, took a left turn at the Justice of the Peace, moved into the “parent hood” and traded my Jimmy Choo’s for sensible (yet stylish) shoes, Pyrex cookware and Tupperware snack containers… come on, who doesn't love Tupperware?  BUT, now that Beelzebub has gratefully taken yet another concubine and I’m dating/”relationshipping” (hopefully I’m not moonlighting as a call girl for another one of Abaddon’s companions), I feel like I need to ditch the sensible shoes and Pyrex (get your filthy hands off of my Tupperware… I know what you’re thinking) and reclaim my sexy!  I think I'm still quite attractive and my body still looks great after a few kids, but, I’m admittedly less young, less… fun, and often dog tired.  Single parenting is a HUGE job and I do it at a high level, so after school and soccer and dance classes and play-dates and birthday parties and countless other activities, I’m beat!  Who has time to be fun?  The answer is you should! 

This brings me to the fabled and often whispered about “me” time.  Ahhhh… Nirvana, Moksha, Deliverance!  “Me” time is the first step to maintaining (or regaining) your sexy!  In reality, “me” time is nothing more than taking some time to put aside your everyday business and treating yourself to an activity that you enjoy.  Maybe it’s a mani/pedi that you crave or getting a massage; perhaps slipping away to the gym.  How about just leaving the kids with someone and catching a non G-rated movie ALONE?  If you can’t get away, then you need to create a quiet corner where you can be alone and uninterruptedly catch up on your reading or whatever reminds you that you are more than just a parent and you need to reconnect with your human side that enjoys pampering.  Ideally, "me" time should be an opportunity to relax, refocus and recharge.  When you are able to successfully accomplish that, you can come back to your everyday responsibilities with greater focus, commitment and maybe even enjoyment.  Indulge in some “me” time and get WayBeyondZ recharged!  It’s the best investment in yourself you’ll ever make!  

My greatest beauty secret is being happy with myself.  I don’t use special creams or treatments – I use a little bit of everything.  It’s a mistake to think that you are what you put on yourself.  I believe that a lot of how you look is to do with how you feel about yourself and your life.  Happiness is the greatest beauty secret.

~ Tina Turner