Monday, November 15, 2010

30 Chic Days – Day Fifteen


Day 15: Act as if

Something I try to remember on a regular basis is ‘Act as if’. By pretending you are the person you want to be in certain situations actually helps you become that person. You must have heard the great advice that says ‘dress for the job you want, not the job you have’? Acting as if goes along with that.

To stand up for yourself act as if you are more confident than you already are.

To become slimmer, act as if you already are by making slim-person food choices and identifying yourself with slender people rather than overweight ones.

Some ways I 'act as if':

When I am overwhelmed at work with many tasks to undertake along with a ringing phone, customer emails and actual customers in the shop, I try to remember to act as if I was the most organised and charming person in the world, carrying off everything with ease.

If I come home after work tired and grumpy, ready to pour the wine and blob, I act as if I am motivated and chic, putting away whatever we’ve brought home with us, tidying up, changing into my relaxing clothes, starting dinner and pouring a glass of sparkling mineral water.

In the morning feeling too lazy to iron a cotton shirt even though I love the look, act as if I am my ideal French girl Sabine, breezily ironing in her Paris apartment (with lavender-scented air coming in the metal window frames overlooking the Parisian courtyard of her building), before getting dressed and running out to catch the Metro to work.

If you’ve read even one post of this blog, you’ll know I like to daydream and make up pretend-Paris scenarios in my head in order to motivate myself to live my chic dream life.

I would love to hear how you might turn around a dreaded task, situation or time into an enjoyable one and what you might do. How would you act as if?

14 comments:

  1. Wonderful post, Fiona! LOVE it. How do I act "as if"? In many of the same ways you do. I pretend I live in a French village (even the most wild imagining can't place me in Paris). When I walk to the library or wine store, I pretend as if I am in France. As I minimize my life, I act as if I am the most organized, untethered French woman walking the planet.
    Thanks for this post.

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  2. I do not imagine Paris...I would love to.
    I look at the minute details of the task, and action whatever it is with the mindfulness that allows me to perform the task...and ironing takes a lot of energy and determination for me!

    The lavender scented water would help me...

    Fiona you are a charming gal, I adore these posts!

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  3. I am a huge believer of this theory. I like to say, "Fake it til you make it." Basically, if you want to be more confident, playact it until it feels more natural. If you're a woman who wants to be more soft and feminine research it and give yourself a makeover. It is something I stress to my friends as they find their way.

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  4. hi fiona,

    i frequently have to act as if. sometimes it works for me and other times it makes me angry. i love the scenarios you use though, they are so charming.

    ~janet

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  5. Vintage Dreamer, thanks for your scenario. I agree, minimising helps you feel more chic.

    Thanks Leslie. I am trying to learn to love ironing too.

    Kalee, 'fake it til you make it' had a bad rep in the 80s, but it's not about a flash car on lease and a fake designer bag. You've expressed it so eloquently.

    Janet, I know what you mean about getting angry. Sometimes I scare myself with the rage that comes out. I can't imagine my French girl having scary tantrums.

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  6. I love this...I am constantly channeling my inner french girl. It makes everything in life more delicious!

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  7. Fiona,

    Another thoughtful post!

    I had a boss when I was about 25 who used to tell me all the time to "fake it till you make it" (like Kalee mentioned). I do think that is good advice, as long as you aren't faking it to the point of being a fake or phony person.

    Your point about eating "as if" you are already the size you want to be will make you much more aware of what you put in your mouth. I need to start doing more of that, especially with the holidays coming up.

    And when I remind myself to act 'as if' I'm a chic French woman, I automatically stand up straighter and hold my head up high.


    Adrienne

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  8. Awesome posts! I will be spending a few hours on past ones I missed while out of town!

    It is amazing how you wrote a very similar post to mine...in a way. It is all about attitude and about being careful what you think!

    When I have to do a task I am not looking forward to, I smile and pretend I can't wait to get it done to see the results.

    Works every time!

    (Read the quote from Cary Grant on my latest post. Says it all!)

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  9. Fabulous post, Fiona! I like the way you think. When I was younger I used to daydream about the person that I wanted to be and thru the years my life has pretty much evolved to that person and it feels good!! Every day when I step out into the world, I always have a smile for everyone! xxoo :)

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  10. what a great post -- I feel more motivated to get things done this afternoon already! Your words are so charming! Thanks.

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  11. this made me happy =)
    I am actually rather clumsy and tend to be a magnet for socially awkward situations.
    ....

    so I act as if I'm actually the most poised person around so that instead of situations making me look awkward, I make them look awkward ;p

    ~lenna

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  12. Love this advice. So very true. We are the creators of our destiny and what our days become. If we believe it to be it eventually will be. Your blog has been my sunshine this morning. Thank you. :) (I just tweeted about your posts again - this series would be a great book, and I would love to have it on my shelf)

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  13. I love this post--it could change some very important habits in my life. I will "act as if!"

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  14. Oh my god, I do exactly the same thing - imagining scenarios in my mind to help me through the day - I thought I was the only one who did this and even questioned my sanity a few times, ha! But it works!

    I've read through your '30 Days of Chic' and it's provided some brilliant advice, so thank you Fiona!

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Merci for your comment. Wishing you a chic day!