Today I had a moment of silent horror when I looked down and noticed the severely chipped nailpolish disfiguring the appearance of my toes. They looked like ten little neglected misfits with sad, tattered clothes. Sadly, this is how they look every day, it was just that today, I really noticed them. They silently spoke of the neglect of self that has become commonplace. I remember making time to polish my toes in December and now, three months later, I only have flakey reminders of those few minutes when I remembered to care. This is not really a tragedy, I realize, but it began a slow revelation in my consciousness. I thought about other things that I have neglected and the list grew... I haven't gone for a haircut in months, my legs have not been shaved for awhile (I will keep that timeline to myself), I have not visited the dentist in forever, I have not plucked an eyebrow hair since 2009, and I have not had a full physical exam in a pathetically long time. Quietly, I have been neglected and I know that I am not the only woman floating precariously in this capsizing boat... my toes are a silent S.O.S.
Interestingly, there are a lot of social institutions that are in the service of protection. For example, if a child is being neglected, someone would call Child Protection Services, if an animal is mistreated, Animal Control is called, AND in a neighborhood with covenants, you can not have an overgrown lawn without being reported and fined! So... I rather facetiously ask; who does a woman call if she is neglecting herself? Who could immediately come to the rescue to make sure that she is being treated well?
Well, I have decided that a service should be created for those of us who simply forget themselves in the blur of meeting the demands of their others. The number would be 1-800-222-D.A.M.N. (Darn Awful Me Neglect). The service would offer you an opportunity to step back from your life and focus on just you. There would be relief workers who are utterly reassuring that you are not being selfish or whiney and you SHOULD NOT feel guilty. They could come to you in a "tricked-out" bus that has spa/ medical/ dental/ beauty/ fashion/ meal/ etc. services inside so that you could immediately have the help or attention you need... all while your needy little Klingons are provided educational play and organic, homemade snacks and your house is being cleaned. :)
This is my (rather brilliant) idea of a service that could serve the needs of the neglected woman, but until it exists... I will call my mom.
