Acrylic Nails
Querida Amiga,
As I was scrolling through old photos the other day I stumbled upon a high school graduation photo. It’s the traditional photo of a graduate standing on stage shaking the hand of a school board member they have never met.
I have seen this photo numerous times over the years but when I paused to really look at the details of the photo this time something new stood out to me...my acrylic nails.
You know I absolutely love getting my nails done. They feel like a colorful extension of my personality. The 12+ months I spent during shelter in place with natural nails were a reflection of my more mellow existence during the pandemic. Exactly two weeks after my second vaccine shot I was sitting in the nail salon getting a fresh set of nails on with a colorful summery design to bring me back to life.
Seeing those french tip acrylic nails on my high school self took me back to the struggle between who I wanted to be and who I was able to be at that stage in my life.
I have always had a love of fashion and the finer things in life. However, I did not grow up with access to lots of fashion and the finer things in life. Specifically my desire for fabulous nails was not something that made sense to my parents or could be deemed a necessary expense.
Throughout high school I would babysit and eventually worked in a doctor’s office filing. I saved my dollars and cents to be able to get my nails done. I felt so grown up sitting at the salon chatting with the nail tech and watching my hands transform before me. The click clack of my nails brought life to any mundane activity.
After high school the nails disappeared. In college I worked multiple jobs while studying for a full load of classes. Now my dollars and cents paid for rent, food, and occasional college shenanigans. Though I had fun in college and made friends that are still with me to this day, those were survival years.
It wasn’t until about ten years ago that I started wearing nails again. It was at a time in my life when I was feeling more freedom and actively choosing to be more authentically me. I don’t consider that a coincidence.
Our outward appearance is a reflection of how we are feeling on the inside. My bold unapologetic self wanted to show up with long, colorful, and sparkly nails.
I remember getting ready for a job interview and consciously choosing the fresh set of nails to put on. I chose red polish and crystals on multiple fingers. I wanted to walk into that interview showing them my full flashy self so we could all know up front if who I was would be fully embraced and accepted. I got the job and they knew exactly who they were getting.
The past month back with my artistic nails is a reflection for me of how my extroverted and adventurous self is feeling as I reemerge from sheltering in place for over a year. They also serve as a reminder of blessings for the ways I have and will continue to thrive regardless of what life throws my way.
If I could whisper something to my high school self on that stage holding my diploma with my pink and white french tips, I would say, “I got you. We are going to survive some tough years of limited resources and lots of self doubt. On the other side you will be able to live fully as yourself. The abundance in your life will be reflected in those nails.”
Quiero saber de ti. How does your life reflect that you are thriving?
Un Abrazo,
Michelle
