When did you last find time for yourself?

France’s – and the world’s best known dame of fashion, the legend behind the Chanel brand, Coco Chanel, once said one can grow accustomed to ugliness but never to carelessness. She should know - she rose from poverty herself to create a mega brand of fashion and beauty that has outlasted her lifetime, still recognized as a power brand when it comes to high end fashion.

Coco Chanel’s words echo for every woman and perhaps even every man - but more so for women because there are women among us who do not care to take care of themselves. We are not talking of becoming fashionistas or plastic dolls who idle all day with nothing significant to do but keeping oneself neat and tidy, well taken care of. A woman who takes care of herself, is conscious of how she appears and makes it a point to look groomed at all times, will also be able to take care of her family and her children. She will be a source of pride for her children and her husband.

Stay healthy

It is easy for today’s busy women to let go of themselves. Most of us work, also engage in housework and take care of the kids. However, it does not take much effort or time to take care of yourself. It is a favour you owe to yourself and of course to your family. Taking care of yourself can start with a simple exercise - you can choose to walk. A long walk at the end of the day or before the day starts is a good way to stay in shape and also stay healthy. Hitting the gym would be an advantage but not everyone can afford the gym. Taking care of yourself also means taking good care of your skin, your hair and your body.

It also means spending time doing something you like doing. It is important to spend time with the children and the husband but there are those moments when you want to be alone and do the things that bring simple pleasures. Reading a good book is always a good way to refresh your memory and keep your brain cells ticking. Or gardening, which soothes your inner being. Some even find cooking a good way to let go of stress.

Beauty treatment

Find time for yourself can also include a visit to the salon. With so many salons coming up around the country and so much focus on looking good, a visit to the salon has today become an indulgence most women look forward to. Spending an hour getting a facial or getting beauty treatment can boost your self-confidence and also go a long way in making you the confident mother and wife your family will be proud of.

It is sad to see so many women neglect themselves. Some even see a visit to the salon as a waste of money. But the crux of the matter is that kind of an investment is something you invest in yourself - it offers you good value in making you feel and look good. When you neglect yourself, your hair, your skin, your hands and your feet, you tell a message loud and clear to the world - and it is not a positive one.

Basic necessities

Today’s children, the internet generation, are much different to what we were 30 years ago. They are in touch with the world and are deeply aware of trends and looks. Naturally, they feel good when they know their mother has taken the trouble, the initiative to look good and take care of herself. Simple beauty routines, such as, keeping well scrubbed clean feet and hands can go a long way - so does cleanliness, using a deodorant and some perfume. These are no longer considered luxuries - just as a fridge once was considered a luxury worthy enough to be displayed in the living room instead of the kitchen, today these aspects are considered basic necessities vital for clean and healthy living.

Yet there was a time, when almost all women who are mothers and wives today, took the trouble to look good. As young women, they followed the latest trend and found the time to take care of themselves. Now that they are no longer young and are mothers, they are being unfair to themselves by letting go - of themselves, their looks and their personality. You can always invite that young girl into your heart again - in fact, she has always been there. Some of us need to find her within us to put the zest back into our lives.

A clean, well-dressed mother is someone her children and her husband would be proud of. A mother who takes care of herself and is confident of her place is a source of inspiration to her children. It doesn’t mean you need to waste time or money to look good. It takes very little to look clean and smart - a worthwhile investment in yourself.

It is also sad that some women tell themselves they have aged and decayed long before they have. We do not need to look at Hollywood stars such as Joan Collins and Susan Sarandon who look very good despite the fact they are well over 50; but take a look at former Bollywood star Hema Malini who still looks better than her actress daughters. They say you are as old as you believe yourself to be. An alert mind, the right food and the right exercise regimen can put the glow back in your face and the style back in your appearance.

There are things we cannot change in the world which we must accept. But taking care of yourself, exercising, sticking to a healthy diet, dressing well and cleanly, is something you can change about yourself. It is never too late to start.