The Confidence Collection is back! There’s not a single person on the planet who hasn’t suffered a crisis of confidence at one point or another (TRUST us!). SO, we present The Confidence Collection, (click here for our previous editions!) brought to you by our pals at Caci. We’ll be covering all areas of self-belief in all areas of life – dating, work, relationships, beauty and personal growth – with practical advice, words of wisdom from women who have seen it, lived it and conquered it, and everything in between.
In this edition, every woman needs a reinvention or two throughout her life and while ‘you’re only as old as you feel’ is most definitely true, sometimes the mirror doesn’t reflect that – physically and emotionally. Enter the chat, the power of a good reinvention, as Capsule’s Kelly Meharg has recently found out firsthand.
When I think about ‘reinvention’, my brain goes straight to Madonna because, well, I’m *that* age and you don’t get the title of ‘the queen of reinvention’ without putting in some serious hard yards to consistently change your vibe.
Of course she’s not the only celeb who’s moved between eras, genres, careers and causes with style – Lady Gaga, Demi Moore, hell even Kim Kardashian – have reinvented themselves multiple times to stay relevant as times, trends and social norms change (you have to admit, from sex tape star to almost-lawyer is pretty impressive regardless of anything else! We could probably live without the nipple bras though, tbh).
But reinvention isn’t something that’s just reserved for the famous folk – in fact, it’s a concept that more women, I think, should grab on to.
The idea of a little mid-30s reinvention has taken hold of me. So much BIG change has happened to me in the last two months – I got married, changed my name, went on a honeymoon and celebrated Capsule’s 5th birthday.
I also cut my hair.
Who would have thought that, with all of the other stuff thrown into the mix, that cutting my ridiculously long locks into a chic little bob would be the impetuous for what I can only describe as the reinvention I didn’t know I needed.
I mean, it’s probably a little simplistic to say that I cut my hair and I became a different person – of course all of these BLC’s (Big Life Changes) have contributed to the quite remarkable shift in my feelings. But there was something about lopping off all of that hair, combined with some other aesthetic changes, that solidified the fact that I have, in some way, reinvented myself.
Because how else do I describe the feeling I have when I look in the mirror and realise that I feel *so* much more myself with this new look, despite the fact I haven’t had hair this short since I was five and my mother decided that a home-cut Velma Dinkley vibe was perfect for her daughter on the first day of school?
Since my cut I’ve noticed I’m dressing differently. I’m more confident and less anxious. I’m much more forthright in my communication, and I’ve been able to stand up for myself in situations that would have previously made me feel awkward.
‘Le bob
Looking in the mirror, I like what I see – I’ve been prioritising my skin health with peels and treatments at Caci, as well as embarking on my first-ever Botox treatments (I’ll be writing a full yarn on that, don’t you worry!).
I think I’ve stumbled into the first stage of reinvention – so where to from here?
Why reinvent yourself?
As women, we get lumped into labels constantly – single (often said with a tone of pity), stay-at-home mum, career woman, wife – and sometimes, as we move from one life stage to the next, it’s hard to shed your previous skin.
We’ve all been through periods where you feel unfulfilled, unhappy, unmotivated; deeply craving a sense of just being alive and free, stuck in a rut, disconnected or passionless. Or, just simply too comfortable.
We neglect self-care, and who we are on the outside and the inside doesn’t match with the person we truly are, or want to be. And let’s be completely honest, society has a way of quieting women’s voices and personalities as we get older.
Feeling any of the above? Then it might be time to prioritise a little reinvention.
Caci CEO Nicki Hart, is, as you’d expect, an expert in not only skin, but why women pop into a Caci clinic in the first place, and for a lot of us, it’s trying to match the person we are on the inside with what we see in the mirror, or for a little confidence or joy injection (no pun intended!?).
“I massively believe in the power of reinvention,” she tells us. “Life constantly offers opportunities for change, and reinvention allows you to adapt to new challenges and explore different opportunities. It’s about evolution, not just maintaining the status quo.”
We change, we grow, we evolve. We’re not the same women we were when we were 20 (thank God!). We’ve learnt a lot of life’s lessons and survived its wild curveballs, and who we present to the world and who we truly are should reflect that. Reinvention isn’t about becoming someone else or changing who you are – it’s about become more you.
So how do you do it?
How to reinvent yourself
Check in With Yourself – Honestly
You have to clean out your life like you would a wardrobe – what’s no longer fitting? What’s outdated, toxic or just plain boring? Write it all down – relationships, work, habits, even thought patterns. Reinvention starts with releasing what no longer serves you.
Redefine Success on Your Own Terms
Spoiler: Success isn’t always the house, the title, the salary or the Instagrammable life. Maybe it’s calm. Maybe it’s creativity. Maybe it’s walking your dog every morning without checking your email. Define it. Claim it and just enjoy it!
For God’s Sake, Make Peace With the Past
You’re allowed to forgive yourself. Reinvention means you don’t need to be the person you were 5, 10 or 20 years ago. Who you are now is bloody amazing.
Invest in Something That Scares You (In a Good Way)
A coach. A course. A solo trip. A new wardrobe. Skincare. Self-care. Anything that says “I believe in myself enough to bet on me. Says Nicki, “How we feel on the outside can impact our day-to-day life in so many ways. Making the change and choosing to prioritise your skin health can often feel daunting, which is why we offer free consultations at Caci. These appointments are a chance to discuss your skin concerns and goals, to put you on a path towards your skin confidence.”
Give Yourself Permission to Truly Think About What You Want
What do you want to achieve? Who do you want to be? How do you want the world to see you? How do you want to see yourself? Write it all down – goals, dreams, random thoughts and quotes and hopes, and see who you truly are begin to emerge.
Say Yes… and No
Go to the weird networking event. Try the dance class. Eat dinner alone at that restaurant you love. Surprise yourself! But at the same time, you’re allowed to outgrow things: roles, expectations, obligations, pain in the ass brunches with your high school friends with whom who have literally nothing in common any more. No is a complete sentence.
Stop Waiting for Permission
Nobody is coming to say “now’s the right time.” If it feels like something is shifting and changing inside you, trust it. Your next chapter doesn’t need approval – just courage. Trust your gut!
The Power of Reinvention
“It’s completely normal to feel a bit apprehensive but it’s important to remember that these changes are all about how you feel, not how others perceive you,” adds Nicki. “Start small, take your time, and know that it’s not about perfection; it’s about progress and making choices that bring you confidence.”
So whether it’s ditching stuff that doesn’t serve you, popping in for a skincare consultation (if you’re curious, Nicki says anti-wrinkle treatments, signature peels and microneedling are the three most popular courses of treatment for gals looking for skin help) or finally jumping in and exploring a hobby, interest or career that you’ve always wanted to do, treat this as a sign that a little reinvention is on the cards, baby!
