Growing up I remember loving to watch reruns of the television show Bewitched.
I adored Samantha – the sitcom’s main character played by Elizabeth Montgomery. In my youthful mind, she eloquently portrayed a caring, compassionate mother, daughter and wife while also remaining such a strong and confident woman.
Photo attribution: By ABC TelevisionUploaded by We hope at en.wikipedia [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Then (of course!) there was the fact that Samantha could fix many of life’s idiosyncrasies with just a twitch of her nose. And it was this “little twitch” that I was most obsessed with.
It is important to note though, that this obsession in my youth had very little to do with the comical consequences from her enchanted twitch (as one might anticipate). As funny as these ridiculous results were, my obsession with her magical twitch instead mostly stemmed from the nose that was doing the twitching.
Sadly, a direct result of my somewhat neurotic fixation with my own physical features.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
As a teenager, when I looked at myself in the mirror all I often saw was my nose. This particular feature stood out to my own youthful eyes like a sore thumb.
- I felt sure my nose took up too much space on my face.
- I worried my nose looked out of place with the rest of my features.
- I agonized every time I looked in the mirror that my nose Just. Didn’t. Suit me.
Maybe it was youth. Maybe it was lack of confidence. Maybe it was an overabundance of distorted mirrors. Whatever the irrational reasoning, in my youthful mind I was physically flawed by my nose.
I secretly wished I could steal Samantha’s magical twitch to - Abracadabra! - help redefine my personal facial features.
I look back as an adult and recognized how as a teenager, I let my appearance define me and take precedence over my inner victories.
Bewitched as an Adult
Eventually, my inner confidence grew and my physical obsessions began to dwindle – taking much less of a priority over my thoughts. However, I will admit to being happily surprised when years later my nose (the feature I notably despised in my youth) turned out to be one of the physical attrubutes which my husband most adored.
I will also admit that to some degree I still fight self-consciousness when it comes to my own outward appearance. Yet these days my mind seems to focus less on my physical features. Instead, I’ve reached a new crossroads in life - with less emphasis on beauty and more (sometimes an all-too-consuming) emphasis on living an adult life as a parent.
Before writing this piece, I thought I would do a little research on the old sitcom Bewitched. It had been years since I had watched the show and thought of Samantha’s spunky nose. I found this episode on YouTube.
Watching this episode again, now as a woman, a mother, and a wife with substantial life experiences under my belt was MUCH different from watching it as a self-conscience, insecure teenager. What I took back from the episode surprised me and caused me to giggle out loud.
Not once did my thoughts veer towards my appearance. Instead I nearly spit out my coffee as I watched Samantha trying to get ready amongst the rush of her husband, the demands of being a mother, and the stresses of finding a last minute babysitter. (All clearly apparent in just the first 3 minutes of the episode!)
Funny how your perspective can change.
Yes, today I am still “bewitched” by Samantha’s twitch, however as a parent, wife and woman I now see a much better use for her quick magical fix - one which has absolutely nothing to do with beauty and everything to do with time management as a busy parent!
Leave a Comment: How have your priorities and ideas on physical beauty and inner beauty changed as you’ve aged and since becoming a parent?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I was totally sensitive about my nose too.
(You have nothing to worry about BTW)
Then I went to college and studied abroad in Germany. I even took a trip over to the Czech Republic. Where my grandfather’s family is from (well, close enough, he’s Slovak and the first Benish born on American soil). EVERYONE HAD MY NOSE! I now view my schnoz as my genetic heritage.
And that doesn’t factor in the parenting aspect!
It is funny how your perspective can change. Great post Kate. Thanks for this one!
Thank YOU for your equally funny “nose” story
(Or should I say “schnoz” story?)
I am my own worst critic when it comes to my physical appearance. Something I desperately hope NOT to pass along to my daughters!
These days I look more like a hot mess than a hot mama. Lack of time and energy are equally to blame
Tatum, did you happen to watch the Bewitched episode I linked up to in the post? I SO wish I could get myself ready every day like Samantha!