Investment

With the sharp ring alert from across the room and without hesitation, I hastily run towards my shoes, barely tying the knots correctly. Past the fire extinguisher, the grey doors leading to other apartments, and with the echoing squeaks of my shoes hitting the vinyl tiles, I am more excited than ever. Impatient to wait for the elevator, I head towards the stairs. Past every round, with vivid pictures launching and creating models, the package that awaits my unraveling becomes all the more tangible, yet farther from my reach.

Okay I'm being dramatic. It is only a few steps away.

Finally, I reach the front desk. No words were exchanged as Ms. Rosie saw my eager face and handed over the packages of makeup, clothes, shoes, and skincare I ordered a couple of weeks ago.

It feels like Christmas! It is Christmas folks!

Tapping my foot while on the elevator, I am unable to remain still as I wait to reach the comforts of my home to rip through the poxes that encase its treasure within.

Laura asks begrudgingly, "this is what you were so excited about?"

I open the boxes and relish in my new found collection of pair of converse shoes, a concealer, a mascara, and a pair of jeans, and two shirts. Practically a whole new wardrobe. I should start getting rid of my outgrown clothes.

"You're contributing to capitalism." Laura says, but doesn't everyone? I mean these days air equals money and spending it maybe unwisely.

"Hey have you seen my gloves I just saw them over here and...." Laura goes on. I tend to tune her out. It's better for the both of us that way. She finds them only to complain about them having holes. She mentions how she needs a new bra because the ones she has are too old and beginning to feel scratchy.

To be fair, I always understood why Laura and I took so long to buy ourselves anything. Everything, whether decent quality or not, seemed too expensive, and significant items suddenly became unnecessary, but that never meant I wouldn't be excited to receive a package.

As I was doing laundry, I noticed how Laura didn't have any proper socks, which is why she always stole mine. The pajamas she had dated back to five years ago to a time when I was much younger and even I had a turn in wearing them as hand-me-downs.

"What you need is a proper visit to Victoria's Secret or something" I said.

She gave me a disapproving look.

I explained gently, "It is never a bad thing to invest in yourself."

I continue, "You need to be presentable, not for anyone just for yourself because how you see yourself is important since that is the person you'll be seeing throughout the day for the rest of your entire life."

I don't think she understands so I continue, "People cannot and will not care for you if you do not care for yourself and that is in all matters. Financially, emotionally, even physically and mentally. If you don't invest time and money into yourself, your life, the things you care for, which should include your mind, body, and soul, you cannot expect that from other people. Now get rid of those horrid clothes."

Later that day I continued to think that fashion and beauty are seen as frivolous to the people that cannot afford it whether if that is with time or with money. They both have the power to transform, create, and to even set anew. Caring for oneself is not frivolous, but it is a dire necessity with any path in life.