And the Award for Best-Dressed Goes To....

I work at camp. I ruin at least 3 pairs of black Keds a year. I go through V-necks like nobody’s business and my shorts are perpetually a napkin for grease stains, dirt, paint, and of course, food.

But I love a well-cut black dress. I love cardigans and skinny jeans and floral and jewelry.

I’ll admit it. I’m kind of a girly-girl, although I’ve made huge forays into the naturalist-slash-outdoorsy-slash-athletic woman’s style.

But…it took years. I mean I made it through two whole summers working at summer camp without ever getting into a pair of basketball shorts or actual athletic shoes. I heard the phrase “You dress way too nice to work here,” at least twice a day and yes, I even won awards for being the best-dressed at camp.

In my defense, I worked in the craft shop. Also, in my defense, I wasn’t about to get a whole new wardrobe for a summer job when I was still dreaming of having a real job after college.

But then I got a job working at camp all the time. And changes had to happen. I was reluctant (as I seem to be with most things) but then I bought this fleece jacket from REI and I’m wondering how I wore a cardigan before. I got athletic shorts and could move like jeans never allowed me to. I got a Camelbak water bottle (yeah it has dinosaurs on it, but it’s still legit) and wondered how I didn’t die of dehydration here in Texas before. I got a headlamp and wondered how I made my way around camp with only the light of my cell phone all those nights last semester.

Sure, I’m still a woman which means I still desire to be beautiful. I still adore pretty things. I still swipe on some mascara now and then. But now there’s function to think about.  Adaptability is necessary. But I’ve learned that even the little changes can make a big difference.

I’ve learned that about a lot of things, not just clothes and shoes. Changing your perspective can change your whole heart. Changing your attitude can change your whole day. Changing yourself is a process that happens little by little in the everyday grind. That’s where God meets us and shapes us into something more and more beautiful if we let Him.

I’m still not entirely that girl. The one who rock climbs and has rock hard abs and perfectly tousled hair. But I do love nature and flannels and camping and damn, that cute dinosaur water bottle.