I took the big leap and painted my nails dark gray. This may not sound like a big deal to you, however, for me, it is!

For years I used to be methodical about my nails. They were always polished and either done in a natural shade or as a french manicure. (I have always painted my own nails.) Then, I’m not sure what happened, but for the last couple of years, I haven’t painted my fingernails at all. Hence jumping from natural shades, to nothing, to dark gray, is a big switcheroo.

It has been a little odd to see out of the corner of my eye, something gray on my hand. Oops I forgot, it’s my nail polish. I have been admiring other women’s nails adorned with such lively and at the same time, dark colors the past couple of years. Then I got to thinking…

Who made it “okay” to wear black nail polish? Over the course of my life, I have witnessed people who wore black nail polish as being viewed as “different” or odd. Growing up, kids were teased if they dared to wear a color like this. As an adult, “the goth look” hasn’t been mainstream. (I know that more goes into a “goth look,” however one of the main elements are the black finger nails.)

At some point, someone made it okay for us to wear these darker hues of nail polish. I’m thinking, “what were we waiting for, permission?” A friend of mine said to me recently, “don’t we all want to be around people who are just like us?” And I thought, no, I don’t.

I like being around people who expand my horizons and introduce me to new things and experiences. My fear is being around people who are just like me. That’s when I stop growing and evolving as a person. Think about it, do you like being around people who are just like you? Why, because it’s safe?

So, yes, I got all of this from my gray nail polish. I am glad that I took the leap to broaden my horizons and who knows, maybe royal blue polish will be next? Do something this week that “gets you out of your box.” Maybe something as simple as a different shade of nail polish will do the trick? Fuel up and have a super week.