Author: HairWeavings Editorial Team

People are calling it the “Wirkin”

Let’s face it – life is full of boxes. Some are practical, like those handy ones from Amazon, and others… not so much. I’m talking about the invisible, self-imposed mental boxes that keep us confined, frustrated, and yearning for something more. Think of these boxes as outdated storage containers – cramped, dusty, and overdue for a toss to the curb. If you’ve ever felt stuck in your ways or afraid to try something new, you might just be living in one.

The good news? You’re not alone. And better yet? You can break out of that box. So, grab your metaphorical crowbar (or just your sense of humor), and let’s get started.

Step 1: Awareness – The Aha Moment

Before we escape the box, we need to admit we’re in it. Easier said than done, right? Life has a sneaky way of convincing us that our box is normal – or worse, safe. But here’s a hint: If you’re always telling yourself, “This is just the way I am,” or “People my age don’t do that,” congratulations! You’ve spotted your box.

I remember realizing I was in one when I told a friend I couldn’t try salsa dancing because I had “two left feet.” She looked me dead in the eye and said, “You don’t even know which feet you have until you try!” That’s when it hit me – I’d been confining myself with fear of looking foolish. My “box” was a dance floor I hadn’t even stepped onto yet.

Take a moment. What’s your box? Write it down – it might just surprise you.

Step 2: Evaluate – Is This Box Serving You?

Some boxes are good for us. They help us stay organized or keep out bad vibes. But others? They’re just cramped closets holding stuff we don’t need anymore.

Ask yourself: Is this box helping or hurting? Maybe you’ve been staying in the “I’m not tech-savvy” box. Sure, it might save you from a few headaches with passwords, but it’s also stopping you from FaceTiming your grandkids or starting that online book club you’ve dreamed of.

Boxes are like bad haircuts – you outgrow them. If your box is no longer serving you, it’s time to snip it out of your life.

Step 3: Face the Fear

Ah, fear. It’s the duct tape holding your box together. Whether it’s fear of failure, judgment, or just the unknown, it’s often the main reason we stay stuck. But let’s take the power out of it, shall we?

Here’s a simple exercise: Write down your fear and its worst-case scenario. Be dramatic! If your fear is public speaking, your worst-case scenario might be forgetting your lines, tripping over the mic cord, and ending up on a viral blooper reel. Now read that back and laugh a little – how likely is that, really? Spoiler: Not very.

By acknowledging your fears, you take away their ability to control you. And let’s be real – most fears look pretty silly when written down.

Step 4: Plan Your Great Escape

Breaking out of a box isn’t about dramatic leaps – it’s about small, strategic steps. Remember, Rome wasn’t unboxed in a day.

Start with a plan. If you’re breaking out of the “I’m too old to start something new” box, your plan might look like this:

1. Research that watercolor painting class you’ve always been curious about.
2. Call the studio and ask about beginner options.
3. Buy some paint supplies (bonus: shopping is fun!).
4. Show up.

By planning ahead, you reduce the unknowns that feed your fear. Plus, having a roadmap makes it easier to take that first step. Which brings us to…

Step 5: Take Action – Even if It’s Small

Here’s the thing: Thinking about breaking out of the box doesn’t actually get you out of the box. You have to do something – even if it’s just a baby step.

Let’s say you’ve been stuck in the “I can’t travel alone” box. Your first step doesn’t have to be booking a solo trip to Italy. Start smaller. Research a nearby town you’ve never explored and plan a day trip. The key is to build momentum, because each small action chips away at the box walls.

Remember, even baby steps count as progress. As long as you’re moving, you’re winning.

Conclusion: Freedom Is Fun

Breaking out of a box is liberating – and dare I say, fun. When you step outside the confines of fear and routine, you open the door to possibilities you never knew existed. Whether it’s trying a new hobby, saying yes to an adventure, or finally taking that first Zumba class (because, yes, you do have the right feet for it), every step you take toward freedom brings joy.

So, what’s your first step? Whatever it is, take it today. Your box-free future is waiting – and trust me, it’s way roomier out here.

Let’s Discuss:

What is the box that confines you? Is fear stopping you from breaking out – or is there another reason you’re staying in your box? What small steps can you take to build momentum on your journey toward freedom?

People are calling it the “Wirkin”

Jackie O epitomized elegance. She wore tweed suits, carried a Gucci bag, before Gucci became a household name, and topped it all off with her iconic pillbox hats. Growing up in suburbia, the adult women I knew all loved Jackie O. They worked tirelessly to embody her effortless style while juggling the chaos of a new suburban dream – kids, houses, husbands, at a relentless pace. Hats, for them, were reserved for church and funerals, but the dream of exuding Jackie O’s poise remained.

Fast forward 60 years, and I understand those women better. Beneath their brave facades, they were overwhelmed, navigating uncharted paths with a mixture of hope and exhaustion. For them, a pillbox hat symbolized grace amidst the storm. For me, post-heart attack, the pillbox became literal.

Reality Sets In

After my “heart incident,” I faced an unsettling new reality.

“For the rest of my life?” I gasped to the resident doctor, overwhelmed by the weight of what lay ahead.

He froze, visibly panicked, turning a whiter shade of pale. The attending physician stepped in, gently touching my arm with a knowing look. “Not the rest of your life, just the next 30 years or so.”

We laughed, the tension lifted and even the young residents managed to smile. It was a moment of clarity in the haze of uncertainty. I felt better.

On the drive home from the hospital, my daughter lovingly tried to mirror the care I’d given her over the years, listing meal plans and schedules. “We need to stop at the outlets,” I interrupted.

Exasperated, she said, “You just had a heart-attack, what could you possible need?”

“A pretty pill box,” I grinned.

Acceptance: A Bitter Pill to Swallow

Facing this chapter, I had to accept that the pills weren’t metaphorical – they are real, non-negotiable, and central to my routine. Trips to the pharmacy, prescription refills, and carefully organized morning and evening doses became my reality.

Let me tell you, this was a bitter pill going down. It got stuck in my throat. Although, I couldn’t ignore the worry etched on my daughter’s face and the gravity of my condition. I had to accept that I was changing. I couldn’t reduce the number of pills in my life anymore. And I had to find a way to be accountable to myself.

I needed to get organized in a way I didn’t know how to. I turned to technology. My phone’s Health app became my ally. Not only does it enter all the pills I am taking, it also has their color and picture next to them so if I accidently drop my pills and they get jumbled, I can easily reconstruct the AM and PM doses. This small feature offered unexpected peace of mind.

Building a Routine: Making Change Work for Me

Research on habit-building shows that change sticks when there’s a payoff – when it feels personal and meaningful. For me, that meant finding a pillbox I didn’t hate.

I was surprised by the options: circular plastic cases, cylinders, squares with compartments for days and times. In the end, I chose two solutions:

1. A sleek, 7-day AM/PM pill organizer, perfect for a drawer in my bathroom.
2. A Coach leather pencil case with heart designs (irony always amuses me), holding eight tiny, two-compartment boxes.

This system, a 15-day cycle, works for me. My routine settled at 9 AM and 9 PM daily. If life interrupts with an early appointment or an errand – I fine-tune my routine and take the pills as quickly after. I adjust slightly but stay consistent.

Body Scan: Stay Attuned to Subtle Changes

Adjusting to medication means staying vigilant to notice any side effects. Some can take months to emerge; others may mimic unrelated symptoms. My heart attack presented as back muscle pain that I thought was from downward dog pose. Symptoms can masquerade, so I remain attuned to:

• Monitor for Subtle Changes: Physical, emotional, or cognitive shifts might not seem medically related initially. Pay attention to them and keep track.
• Ask Questions: When in doubt, I reach out to my doctor or pharmacist. Googling symptoms was my first instinct, but I didn’t stop there. I asked a friend, then, I went further, I found an expert with professional knowledge.
• Trusting My Instincts: If something feels off, I treat it seriously – just as I would advise a friend. You would not say, Ignore it, to your friend. I learned to take my own advice.

The Health App and Your Emergency Contact

If you have a smart phone, I highly recommend using the heath app, at the very least for your emergency contact. If you are by yourself and unable to speak, even though they cannot bypass your password, they can press emergency contact – ONLY if you have put it in your phone and designated it as such.

My Health app has become invaluable, storing medication details and serving as a cheat sheet for doctor visits. It also holds my emergency contact information, accessible even when my phone is locked – a feature everyone should use.

Revise and Adjust

Every day, I reflect on what works, what doesn’t, and what needs adjusting. Some days are smoother than others, but the process of refining this routine has reminded me about how resilient I am. Through all the twists and turns my life has taken, I’ve learned to show up for myself.

The key is finding what serves you – whether it’s a high-tech solution, a touch of elegance, or simply staying consistent. And yes, it helps if it’s pretty. Because life’s changes, no matter how daunting, deserve to be faced with style.

So here I am, carrying my pillbox – both a necessity and a symbol of acceptance – and carving a new kind of elegance for myself. Jackie O would approve.

What’s Next

Use your smartphone to do some good. Be cognizant of what serves you and what no longer has a purpose. Keep trying till you get it right. And make sure it’s both pretty and pretty useful!

Let’s Reflect:

Have you had a health scare lately? How did you make the necessary become pretty? What is your most valuable health accessory? Have you found a pretty pillbox that you use every day?

People are calling it the “Wirkin”