LIKE THE WALRUS, I AM "SPEAKING OF MANY THINGS"

The time has come, the walrus said, "to speak of many things."

Being in Lockdown (Stage 4 Restictions), I decided it was time I went through my files and updated some of my small set-esteem initaitves from the 1990s through to the present.   These small booklets began their journey in the era when "size" was seen to be unacceptable if larger than size 6-8 in women's clothing.  It became my passion to write, in simple words, ways I personally had found to be successful in breaking down the discrimination that was running rife throughout society at that time.  In the home, in the workplace and in local communities.  

RoseMary's NoteBook© began its life in 1991, and although focussing on inspiring plus-women of all ages, all colours, all cultures, and all shapes and sizes to aspire to respect from everyone they knew or met,   I suddenly found myself an advocate for women on many issues.

Many barriers have been broken down since the 90s, although I have to say quite honestly, there still appear to be occasional outbursts by people in the media and the like, who decry the worth and acceptability of women of size.  Or for that matter, women who look, speak, dress or behave differently to those standards set by ........ ? Well, by the media when everything is said and done.

Yes, a lot has happened since the 1990s.   Boutiques began appearing in shopping centres and malls with a special focus on size, and this had the effect of inspiring women to experiment with fashion.  In so doing countless women found their "voice" and became much more confident in their own space and when dealing with others around them.   Through means of the internet; more attractive clothing came on the market.  Being designed and styled for women of size and shape.  In fact diminuitive women complained because they wanted the styles that were designed for the 16 plus!

  

Casual wear, leisure wear, office wear, evening wear.  Conservative, classic, and contemporary.   We were at last satisfied that our needs, as far as clothing was concerned, were being met.   From that flowed a much more acceptable place in today's world.  Discrimination still occurred, but we were able to handle that much easier that before, because we had in our hands, the tools and strategies to put in place when people attempted to embarrass or humiliate us.   We'd learned a thing or two.

Life flowed along nicely.   Everyone seemed happy with their lot.   We began to take things for granted.  And the old saying, if something seems too good to be true, then you'll find it isn't, hit us like a cannonball.   Because in January of this year, 2020, the Coronavirus Pandemic appeared front-stage and has caused unbelievable suffering for hundreds of thousands of people.

So how does that relate to this blog?

It relates in a number of ways.   Combined with anxiety, and stress and unhappiness, many women have lost a lot of confidence.  Confidence in themselves; in their relationships; in their families; within their communities, and even in their home and daily-life.

While my newsletter RoseMary's NoteBook© began it's life in 1991 and became an advocate for women on issues that impacted upon their lives every day, I and my readers located all around the world, began a journey together.  Of friendship and of respect.  

Being in Lockdown, and following those strict restrictions, many women have turned, and returned, to some of the simple things of life and finding immense pleasure indoing things, learning things, and achieving things they never thought they would ever do.   Home-cooking is one task in which families being isolated in their homes have found great fun and saisfaction.  House-cleaning - who would have thought that young women would take delight in this subject?  But they do.   Weaving, knitting, crochet work, even lace work and tatting.  Countless blogs and websites have expanded knowledge in all manner of subjects and issues.

So I've decided to bring up onto my blog a couple of my original manuscripts - naîve and simple, yes.  Maybe though, the simple words within these booklets may strike a chord with women of today, and our circles of friendship through RoseMary's NoteBook© may increase tenfold or even more.

My next post will present "Rose in Bloom".  Keep tuned for it.

RoseMary   💖