The Strongest Tie to Memory

 

All my life I’ve been self conscious of how I smell.  I have a strong natural odor.  I’ve never been a heavy wet sweater.  I always seem to glisten.  However, at times of stress, exertion anxiety, I will drench my clothes.  Most of my sweat occurs in the folds of my chest and my inner thighs.

Nothing smells worse than your diet coming through your skin.   Its a whole excuse why gyms are awkward places to be. Before you judge me, I know that I need a better diet. I understand that healthy people smell like rose water, etc.   That is not my journey with body odor and fragrance.  This is.

 My first full time permanent gig was at the bank working in the post closed loan review mortgage department.  Women were expected to wear hosiery and dress a minimum of business casual.  At this same time I developed a strange appreciation for quality tights/hosiery.  (a different post for a different day).  I would be at my desk soaking my underwear and underwire.  I didn’t stink, but I didn’t like the under currents in the atmosphere.  I was always afraid that if I could smell me, what will other’s smell as well?

I became obsessed with controlling the smell of the energy I emit.  Even still to this day, I carry spray on scents in my car. It is very true that scent is the strongest tie to memory. Foods, Places, Seasons, People are all associated with a smell.  These scents can transpose us and transport us to beautiful or brutal moments in our lives.

Talk about scent memories!  I remember the first time I went drinking.  I think I had 4 beers that night.  The next morning, I was groggy and smelled like a distillery. I just couldn’t mask the scent. All this time, I can remember what I smelled like decades later.

I remember the first time I smelled Jadore, by Christian Dior. (https://amzn.to/3mNcSxP) It became my immediate signature scent.  There is something about it that make you feel adored and flawless. 

My preferred  scent for body odor is not to have one.  If I am smelling something on my clothing or skin, I would like it to be light and fresh.  I’m still looking for an eco friendly laundry solution that still smells wonderful, and cleans. For now, I’m still holding onto Gain (https://amzn.to/3A1WrAW) because of the smell. However,  Earth Breeze is starting to win me over, because its kind to mother earth and it really does get the clothe clean. (https://amzn.to/41BOZIe ) .  I’ll report back later on a rant about laundry.

Staying Fresh, and my clothing smelling fresh has always been important to me.  I literally want to shrink when I sweat and have to be social. Which brings me to the ultimate scent control of the body.  DEODERANT.

I’ve had a fierce battle with deodorants.  Somewhere in my head, I  know the traditional aluminum deodorants and anti perspirants are unhealthy and damaging. I went 7 months without wearing deodorant once, until I just couldn’t take the drenching wet anymore.  So I relented and went back to wearing Degree.  Until last month.  I had been seeing these commercials.  I loved the business story and the message.  I just had not run out of deodorant yet. I finally got low and ordered LUME.  It changed my life! https://amzn.to/3A8qHtX

Lume is a whole body deodorant. The areas that sweat the  worst are the areas I can make smell the best. When they say it last for 3 days… I’ve put that to the test. It controls the all weekend body funk.  Don’t judge me.   I know you’ve spent some weekends indoors and didn’t do a thing… not even shower.  The proof is in smelling your laundry when you take it off.

This stuff really works. This past month, I’ve been at more social and community functions.  It has required for me to dress to impress.  There is not greater confidence that knowing your underwear is clean and matches, (because that’s not always possible for the BBWs)  and you smell like a beloved crisp $100.  Not only do I love it.  All the ladies in my family love it too.  

There are some purchases you make and instantly they make you access MORE.  This was one of those MORE moments.  Its not that the product itself smells so wonderful.  Its that it prevents me from smelling NOT so wonderful. Its been a game changer. Highly recommend you get this for the HOT summers with girls in it. That’s on that!

These are my some of my favorite scents.

·         JADORE- because it gives me flawless confidence.

·         ROSES and other fresh cut flowers- because they make me feel precious.

·         COFFEE- because it sparks creativity and energy.

·         BLEACH- because it makes me feel safe.

·         LEMON- because it smells refreshing like lemonade taste

·         PEACHES – because it smells like Georgia, which is home.

·         LAVENDER- because it smells fresh, like the air.

·         TURKEY- because it smells like my favorite holiday.

·         WOOD BURNING- because it symbolizes clarity and purpose. To cook. To heat. To signal.  Fire has purpose.

·         MEDICINAL HERBS- because they make me feel healthy and tend to taste like lemon.

·         COCONUT OR COCOA  BUTTER- because it reminds me of healthy skin.

·         FRESH BAKED BREAD/DESSERTS- because it smells like a warm blankets feels.

·         CLAY- because it smells like the earth and makes me feel secure.

·         TOBACCO LEAVES AND LEATHER- because it smells like a working man.

·         COTTON CANDY- because it smells like a good time.

·         MOUNTAIN AIR- because it smells like nature.

·         OCEAN- because it smells like a promise feels.

  LUME- because it smells like my dignity

I wonder what smells come to mind for other people?  Tell me some of your favorite memories around scents.  Keep smelling fresh, and keep winning!

Abundance Always.