Non-fashion pats on the back. - YouLookFab Forum

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Non-fashion pats on the back.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Angie’s blog post and others’ responses about fashion-related things for which we are proud of ourselves is heart-warming and fun to read. I believe we could use a pat on the back for other thing too. What non-fashion (different from unfashionable) things, big or small, do you get a “good job” for?

I’ll go first:
When I arrived at the grocery store today a little boy was out front asking people for a band-aid. He had a little cut on one finger, had probably pinched it in his scooter. I ran in and bought some. As I came out, his mother arrived with little sister in a stroller. I handed her the box & fled the scene. She would’ve taken care of her 4 or 5 year old child anyway, but maybe I helped restore his faith that he’ll be ok in life.

Your turn! What are you proud of yourself for? Have you done any good deeds lately?

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21 replies

Latest reply was from Stagiaire Fash

Anonymous

Resisting the urge to curse my boss for saying we need to work late one day a week for the next few months.*

*but I did text my coworker a gif of the Grinch, as well as some unladylike emojis to DH*

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Suntiger, you get double pats, for 1) holding it together and 2) blowing off steam the right way! I hope you get ot pay or bonuses.

Anonymous

I hope so too! We're salary so normally just get comp time which we take at the end of the year. But this year we're extra short staffed, plus there have been other changes that are not good for most of my clients.

Anonymous

Love your band-aid story, Fash! I would like to pat myself on the back for moving to different part of town a year and a half ago. Creating a new life after residing in the same house for 25 years.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I know this is not specific to me but…Making it through hopefully the worst of the pandemic cooking -without breaks, figuring out how to plan groceries weeks ahead as we were having groceries delivered, adjusting to what was delivered, learning to cook differently, learning many new delicious dishes, etc., often with a smile on my face. And, additionally, making it through the stress related challenges of the pandemic.

rachylou

Veteran

Well, I’m proud that I fought the powdery mildew and grew many many butternut squashes this year… and am absolutely furious that That Squirrel ate them all. If he’s not careful, I will join the back neighbor in her campaign against him…

Bijou

Veteran

Rachy - you should be proud, you fed the wild squirrel!

I am proud that me and DH have kept up our exercise resolutions this year. It is nice to have someone to train with.

CarolS

Veteran

SF! Your story reminds me of this one: at the very start of the pandemic I heard an elderly woman in front of me in line at the grocery store ask where to catch the bus. She had a few heavy-looking bags of groceries and I couldnt imagine her navigating them on the bus

I paid for my groceries and went outside, and there she was, standing just outside the store. I went over and said I had overheard her in the store and really couldn't stand the thought of her taking the bus; if she was comfortable with it, I would like to drive her home.

She accepted, and I helped her get her things to my car. It turned out she lived a bit further than I thought she might, but I think I helped make a difficult day better. Has he said her daughter usually took her shopping, but had to work that day so she decided to go on her own. I don't know how she imagined she would carry everything. It took us two trips to get her bags out of my car and onto the bench by the front door of her complex, where she assured me she would have help to get her the rest of the way.

I figured she was safer with just me than a bus even semi full of people and it made me feel good to ease the strain of even one person's day in those stressful and uncertain early days.

Helena

Veteran

My teenager gave me a random hug and told me "You're a pretty cool mom and I appreciate you" the other day, and that's just about the best pat of the back I've ever gotten

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Well done, everyone! I enjoyed your thoughts and stories, and commend those who did good deeds. It does make the world a better a place

The longer I live, the more it hits home that patience, positivity, tenacity, compassion, generocity, and "rolling with the punches" are personality traits to develop to their maximum. Especially during a global pandemic. I am patting myself on the back for striving - a work in progress - to improve these personality traits. And for getting a lot done with very little sleep!

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Oh Helena,that’s wonderful!It makes it all seem worthwhile doesn’t it.l am not very good at patting myself on the back ,maybe it’s a British thing or maybe it’s a personality thing but l am good at ,no matter how bad stuff gets,just keeping on trudging through which l suppose is a skill in its own way.Oh and on the theme of underwhelming butternut harvests ,l had seven plants and managed two normal sized ones and two micro sized ones,not a success and l can’t even blame the squirrels for that one!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Cardiff, I wish you happy trudging!

Helena, man, those kinds of pats on the back are the absolute best!

Carols, how kind of you to go the extra mile! Your story reminds me a little of the time I helped someone get home last year, and now I feel guilty. As we waited for the bus, she was asking people what stop to use to get to x street, where she lived. There was general concern, and it was somehow decided that I would be the one to ensure she got off the bus at the right place. It happened to be just one stop before mine, so I walked her home. She insisted I come up, told me about her son who couldn’t come into town as often perhaps because of Covid, insisted I eat or drink something. She was clearly terribly lonely. I meant to stay in touch, but now no longer remember quite where she lives.

Angie, thanks for your comment and for getting this started with your post the other day! I quite agree with you on learning to accept that life will throw us curveballs.

Bijou, you have such an excellent way of looking at things! Working out has so many benefits—how nice to share it with someone you love (who happens to be right there).

Rachylou, you are queen of using your sense of humor to get through stuff! I just hope the squirrels don’t pelt you with acorns demanding more produce, lol.

Barbara Diane, yes, keeping it all together has been tough for so many people! Providing yourself and your family with good nutrition, pleasingly presented, is such an important foundation for getting anything else to go right—well done!

Nikki, well done! Starting over after a quarter century sounds huge!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I deserve a pat on the back for admitting that my current job sucks & that it's OK to go part-time. Especially when this makes me feel that I'm not being grateful to even have a job in the middle of a pandemic. Not to mention colleagues saying things like they weren't exactly jumping up & down or cheering at the idea that 'someone like me' got the job (they offered it to me part-time at first & then changed it to full-time due to demand). Anyway, all of this to say that it made me feel like I 'owed' them something & had something to 'prove' by sticking it out.

The bottom line, however, is that I can't respect a place that doesn't respect me back. I've stayed on part-time because I of course need some form of steady income (even though they don't pay you until the end of the semester/ term...) but I've also signed up for ad-hoc hours at another place on the down low whilst finishing off my master's degree (you'd think they'd respect your privacy & other commitments when part-time, but they still want you to attend meetings outside of your teaching days - otherwise they DOCK your pay. But they don't pay you more for doing MORE hours!)

Sorry for the rant, lol. I was just reminded of this because I taught for the new place for the second time just yesterday, & it was so refreshing to hear someone say positive things about me that I almost didn't know what to do with myself, lol. Maybe leaving behind the prestige of academia to do what I really want to do (teach actual, practical skills in adult education - instead of how to pass university assessments) will be a good thing. Haven't told my parents or in-laws yet though, since it means they won't be able to boast about my 'status' at dinner parties. I'd rather go back to being 'disappointing' anyway lol - a lot less pressure.

CarolS

Veteran

This is a great supplement to Angie's fashion-related question, Stagiaire Fash, and so uplifting to read. I love your parallel story about helping someone make their way home!

Zaeobi -- how does anyone get away with waiting to pay you until the end of the semester? What are you supposed to live on?! And good for you for choosing to disappoint OTHERS rather than yourself. Yours is the only opinion that matters. You get one life -- you have to do what brings you joy. I hope things improve.

Synne

Veteran

So uplifting! Thank you fash!! Love the replies.

Staysfit

Veteran

I have been thanking people that help support my work on my own, however, I recently created a pay it forward system so my team can relay our gratitude to professionals and paraprofessionals in the community who help support the youth we care for in times of need. It takes multiple systems working collaboratively to address the most difficult situations in children and youth with mental health concerns. It's often thankless work, and worse, many situations occur where the providers bear the brunt of family frustration and get yelled at, complained about, and even physically attacked in their genuine attempts to provide support. Covid has caused increased demand, increased stress, staff shortages, difficulty finding resources like community skill-builders, in-home behavior treatment, respite placements and hospital beds.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Zaeobi, that is huge! I certainly hope you continue to enjoy your new position. Congratulations on having the strength to apply, getting the job, and moving on in life!

Thanks, CarolS & Synne.

Staysfit, wonderful that you did that! Caregivers at whatever scale need care. Wonderful that you’ve built a system to do that.

Minaminu

Veteran

I deserve a non fashion pat on the back as I

* managed to stay physically and mentally healthy during the pandemic whilst looking for a job, it's been very stressful .

* visited my family after the pandemic and coped quite well with the stress of travelling/testing, ageing parents and tricky family relationships. Flying again in December.

* developed a cleaning routine system which is manageable for me and still mantain high standards

* received an invite to participate to a podcast to talk about my job and lessons learnt.

* kept cool like a cucumber when in the midst of office politics. I am "spent" now, so looking forward 2022 and a real break.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Minaminu, virus, schmirus—you have had a banner year and don’t need me to tell you “well done”! Lmk when you start your “how I did it all” podcasts/open your coaching biz.

Style Fan

Veteran

I managed to keep up my Yoga practice during the pandemic. I miss going to an actual studio, but Mr. SF has organized a studio at our home, which helps with the motivation.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Style Fan, good for you! That’s the kind of thing that helps the rest of life be so much better. But I guess you know that already.