Self-neglect is a reality for so many of us. We work hard, we focus on the bills, we think about so many things, but it is ourselves who slowly become forgotten. And that is exactly what our story today, which was inspired by the readers of AmoMama, is all about. Sometimes we just need a wake-up call to remember who we are and why we should come first in our own lives.
A hard life
Linda was 50 years old but looking at her, you would never guess it. She looked so much older than that. You see, Linda had found herself in a position nobody should ever be in. She’d let herself go. But, there was a reason for that. She was working three jobs to keep her family afloat. Her husband, Peter, had lost his job near five years ago. Yes, in the beginning, he did try to find new work, but slowly he started losing interest and found the sofa at home far more comfortable.
Apart from being the sole breadwinner, Linda and Peter also had a daughter named Mandy. She was 22 years old and had a 2-year-old child. Mandy’s partner had left her before the baby was born, and she ended up moving in with her parents. Mandy never got a job or contributed towards anything, in fact, her mother gave her an allowance!
Neither Peter nor Mandy seemed to notice how hard poor Linda was working just to keep them all alive. But Linda never complained about it and just allowed her lazy husband to stay at home and kept giving her lazy daughter money instead of encouraging her to get a job
A rude awakening
One morning, Linda made her way to job number one. She stopped at a coffee shop on the way like she always did. Standing in the queue for a while, Linda was already late for work. Finally, it was her turn to order, but before she could walk forward, a group of teenagers jumped in front of her. Of course, she was not going to just stand there and allow it, so Linda piped up and asked why they did that. One of the teens turned around and laughed, while the other mumbled something about pensioners not needing to be in hurry. Linda was mortified and walked right out of the coffee shop.
She got back into her car and looked into the rearview mirror. She noticed how gray her hair had become. she noticed the creases next to her eyes and how many wrinkles she had. No wonder those kids thought she was a pensioner, she looked absolutely shocking. And then, Linda realized why.
Time for a change
Linda stared at herself for what seemed like ages. She knew that she was aging this fast because of all the stress and pressure she was under. Why on earth was she working three jobs when her husband was more than able to work? Why was she giving her 22-year-old daughter money when she too was more than capable of finding a job to support herself?
Linda decided it was time for a change. Starting with her daughter. She picked up her cellphone and called Mandy. Mandy picked up and the first thing she had to say was to ask for her allowance earlier this week. She did not expect to hear what her mother was about to tell her. Linda told her no, she would no longer be giving her an allowance. She told her daughter to get cracking and find a job. She would happily allow her to stay at her home, but if she wanted money, she had to earn it herself. Linda hung up before her daughter could say another word.
Next, Linda called her three jobs and let them know she was taking a day off. She did not care what they thought about that and put her cell phone off.
Remembering herself
Linda finally started her car and drove right to a hair salon, she got a new haircut and style and then made her way to get her nails done. She noticed how old and straggly her hands were. How she had been neglecting herself. Next, Linda went clothes shopping, she did not spend too much, but just enough to make sure she had a few new nice outfits. She even put one on before heading back home.
Linda got in the car and looked into the rearview mirror again. There she was. There was the proud, beautiful woman she remembered being. Linda had not felt that good in years.
The surprise
Linda eventually got home, way later than usual. Her phone had been off so she did not get any calls from Peter or Mandy all day. The minute she walked through the door, Peter yelled at her to ask where she’d been, he was hungry. Linda walked into the lounge and Peter gasped at his wife’s new look.
“So, you went shopping and got your hair done instead of being home to cook? What about work? Are you insane?”
Mandy walked in from her bedroom, and immediately asked her mother why she’d cut her allowance, she also commented on her mom’s new look and wanted to know how she could afford it if she could not afford to give her money.
“Well,” Linda said, “things are about to change around here, I have had enough of this nonsense. Peter, I want a divorce. Mandy, get off your butt and find a job, you are not a child anymore.” With those words, leaving both Peter and Mandy in shock, Linda left and got into her car.
A beautiful life
Linda went to go stay with an old friend for a few weeks. She quit two of her jobs and kept the one she enjoyed the most. Then, she went to see a lawyer to start the divorce proceedings. Life was good again, and Linda felt like she could finally be happy. Of course, she still helped her daughter when she needed a babysitter from time to time, she did not give her a cent more of her money. Mandy went on to find a good job as a receptionist, and her mom was very pleased. Eventually, Peter moved out and Linda went back to stay in her home along with her daughter and grandson.
This story was inspired by an original piece of fiction that first appeared on AmoMama. Any similarities between this story and actual people is purely coincidental
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