Children are cute. But moms put themselves last.

Recently, I noticed that my children's clothes are increasing.
But what surprised me even more was—
that my own clothes have hardly increased at all.


Today, I am participating in the March writing project for the #GardenOfWords membership 🌿

Being a woman really costs a lot of money, doesn't it?

Clothes, cosmetics, and hair salons.

There is no end to it once you start worrying about it.

As for my closet, 80% is office casual.
About 20% is for going out.

Since I work on weekdays, I end up with a lot of safe clothes that I can wear to the office.

And there is one more thing that keeps increasing.

That is,children's clothes.

Children's clothes are expensive, aren't they?

Nishimatsuya and Uniqlo are great for nursery school clothes, but
when we go out on weekends,
I want to dress them in cute clothes if I can.

They are small and cute, and when I think, "This would look good on them," I end up picking them up.

I once bought a Rapunzel dress for a birthday.

They seemed to like it very much,
and on their days off, they would happily bring it to me saying, "I'm going to wear this!"

After all, you can only really dress them in things like dresses when they are small.

When I see them happy wearing it,
I think it was definitely worth buying.

But, I suddenly realized something.

Even though children's clothes are increasing,
my own clothes have hardly increased.

Whether it's children's clothes or mom's clothes, the expense is painful if you try to buy good quality items.

So before I knew it,

"Cheap clothes are fine for me"

I started to think that way.

There are many clothes now that look elegant even if they are inexpensive.

With a little effort, you can look put-together.

And I intentionally choose clothes that can be mixed and matched.

Since I mix and match with the few items I have now,
it doesn't cost much money.

Instead, I want to spend money on areas that show my age.

Skin. Nails. Hair.

I feel like I can be more myself by taking care of those things rather than my clothes.

Recently, my friends from university and I have started giving each other department store cosmetics as birthday presents.

They are things I wouldn't easily buy for myself,
but they make me happy when I receive them.

"I think you'll definitely like this."

I was happy to have them chosen for me like that,
so I started wanting to give gifts in the same way.

Since my child was born, I tended to put myself last.

I buy things for my child, but
when it comes to my own things, I think, "I'll do it next time."

But my way of thinking has changed a little.

Cherishing your child and putting yourself last are not the same thing.

Even as a mom, it's okay to cherish yourself.

They don't have to be expensive things.
Just a little bit of self-care.

Even with small things, it feels like I'm taking care of myself, and my mood feels a bit more balanced.

My child is important.
But I am also important.

I want to cherish both.

That is why I

am graduating from "putting myself last."

Even as a mom, I want to live while cherishing myself.