More than once, as a teenager, I was mistaken for a boy. At the time, it was embarrassing … in fact it still is. Perhaps it was because when I was growing up, I never learned how to put on make-up or even how to dress like a girl. Truthfully, I chose not to learn. My mother said I was a “tom-boy” (big surprise), and the whole idea of “style” made me extremely uncomfortable– “terrified” might be a better word–so I avoided it altogether, preferring instead to dress in comfortable often loose clothes. Somehow I got it in my head that style and comfort were mutually exclusive. I didn’t realize it at the time, and the decades that followed, that I was choosing to hide. Clothes were not about celebrating, they were a way of hiding the feminine part of myself… a part I saw as weak and vulnerable. That way of viewing the feminine changed. I’ve spent the decades since understanding that Earth needs the feminine to reemerge–and going deeply inward to rediscover this vital part of my own being.. a place of insight, compassion, kindness, wisdom, the power of being instead of doing… enchantment even magic. As I put forth my creative work in the world, I realized that how I look didn’t express who I was anymore—and the people I most need to work with may not see past my LL Bean mocs and my loose clothes. Even after I realized that I no longer wanted to hide, I struggled. This is because I never learned what looks good on me… Plus, I dislike shopping for so many reasons, most notably for what consumerism is doing to the planet. So–this was the conflict! I wanted to live my purpose… a bigger WHY, and at the same time, I was filled with all these negative thoughts about clothing in  general and how it looked on me specifically. I tried my best to dress in a way that would to serve what I was up to– but felt inauthentic at best and ridiculous at worst.  whimsy, joy and life? If my story resonates–I would love to hear from you. Please comment below. Also, for just 99 cents, you can pick up a copy of Liana’s kindle book on Amazon |
A Watershed Moment
I need to acknowledge the dire political situation we now face here in the United States. A recent indicator is the fall of Roe v. Wade, but please understand that this is far bigger than one court decision. This is a watershed moment for democracy and justice in the...
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