What makes you feel like you?

[Angbunnyboo]

I’ve had some pretty bad I’ll health for the past few months and have had surgery etc and I just don’t feel like myself. I feel utterly disgusting and as far from myself as it’s possible to feel.

I’ve decided to book myself in for some treatments etc to make me feel more human, but everyone is saying to me I should wait til I have the last of my surgery. I feel feral, my brows look like a yeti, my nails are like claws and my hair has about six inches of roots and a lot of grey showing!

What can I do to feel like me again and not some broken thing that has to stay in bed and has everyone fussing over? I feel like I’m suffocating and the worst thing is I’m having to tote round a temporary colostomy bag that I fucking hate and can’t wait to get rid of - hopefully only a few more weeks! I can’t even eat anything healthy or go to the gym.

I’m just sick of feeling disgusting. What do you do to feel normal!?

Sorry for the rant, I’m just a grumpy bugger at the moment.

Sounds rough, I hope you feel better soon. I have my nails done to feel like me.

Hair trim and blow dry. Manicure and pedicure. Facial. Get eyebrows done. Buy something nice to wear either clothing or jewellery. I've done all of these things over the last 3 weeks as I was feeling very low. It does help. If you can only afford one thing... haircut.

Hair dyed, eyebrows threaded, funky coloured toenails and Nail Envy in a natural ish colour on my fingernails (I always chip proper manicures within a day or two and it makes me grumpy).

It sounds like you've been through an awful time. Can you have a salon day? Get your hair done, get a facial, a mani/pedi, can you have a massage or other body treatments, like a seaweed wrap?

If you can do that, then afterwards can you afford to step into a fabulous new outfit that's comfortable and bag friendly?

Sorry you’ve been through a tough time and wishing you all the best

Hair, nails, facial and massage.

Toenails painted, eyebrows done and a colourful a line dress. Sadly dresses don’t always feel right, depending on the situation but I never feel quite like me in other outfits.

Sorry you’ve been through such a shitty time. A hair trim, shave, a pluck, exfoliating and nails done makes a huge difference to me.

So sorry you're unwell.

Could you at least get yourself a hair appointment booked? That could make a big difference to how you feel.

- you're having a horrible time. Sending best wishes for a successful outcome to all of your treatment.

I would echo what everyone else has basically said: get your hair sorted out, get a manicure and pedicure, and a facial. If you can get a foot massage with your pedicure, that might feel nice. Some places do a nice massage of the hands along with a manicure.

I would also say, buy yourself some nice perfume, something you love or something new. If you want to buy something new, buy a sample or a partially used one on eBay in case it smells funny on you, which can happen when perfume meets body chemistry.

Hair done, pedicure and new clothes. Sorry you’re unwell

If money is no object (and colostomy bag allows it) I see no reason not to outsource every single thing that will make you feel more you NOW.

If finances don’t stretch that far and you’re concerned you may make a change now that will have to be undone later once you’re recovered from any further surgery, I agree that hair should be top of the list - it will make SUCH a difference now and the surgery shouldn’t mess with it.

Brows too shouldn’t need to change much - I can do most other beauty maintenance myself but I cannot do my own brows. A pedicure is another thing that will stay in place regardless of surgery.

Clothes perhaps can wait and makeup and manicures you might be able to do on your own (YouTube is your friend) - if you are a bit secluded now awaiting surgery, and you’re feeling up to it, use the time to practice looks you like - who cares if no one sees you? When you emerge, all that practice will pay off and you’ll look as healthy as you feel and people will stop fussing over you.

Another thing you could do if you have some downtime is get yourself on a skincare routine if you don’t already have one. There is so much great advice on the skincare thread in S&B and they are so friendly and knowledgeable. A healthy glow will do wonders for your self esteem!

WFH has been a little demoralising for me as I am someone who likes to go out into the world and look polished. I decided a few months ago that I would put makeup on every day, whether I had video meetings or not. It might only be DH and the dog seeing me but I didn’t care. I feel so much better now. It makes me feel human.

Best wishes with your surgery and have fun bringing out a new wonderful you!

I adore face masks and hand masks, with the obligatory candle.

I also like massages, can be difficult if you have pain etc. but could have head, hand, or foot massage (or neck and shoulders from a seated position).

Products that smell nice are important to me too, even my coconut toothpaste.

Definitely sort out your hair. When I’ve had surgery getting my hair washed is normally a top priority after getting home. Recolouring it make a big difference to your appearance.
Also perfume - when I put on my perfume then I smell like me.

Hair and definitely perfume. I have a scents for different occasions. One to pick me up when I feel down. One to energize for exercise and activities. One to feel professional and put me in work mood etc

Thank you for ideas! I have booked in for a cut and colour and my brows done. I can’t wait any longer to get them done, I’ll feel more human when I have those done.

My lovely OH is like a protective mother hen and wants me to wait but I will go nuts if I have to look like this for another week!

I didn’t think of things like clothes and perfume but I will get on to that too!