Why I won't be doing Frocktober again

It’s a bit of a negative title that one. A bit anti-fun, a bit anti-do-er.

I took on the challenge of Frocktober knowing that I would find the task of wearing a dress for 31 days a, well, a challenge. I also decided to do it because I like showing my girls how they can take part in community events in so many ways.  It is a fundraising cause that does not include me giving up anything, going anywhere, running or adventure sport of some kind. The cause is also important to me, cancer of any lady bits could affect me, my daughters or their daughters, working towards cures to such things is worth it. Without the work and the effort of people today we don’t make any progress.

There were many days that I just didn’t want to wear a dress. Some days I considered just flinging on a pair of tracksuit pants and hiding inside all day. The only reason I didn’t was because at each of those moments I told myself that the women with ovarian cancer, they don’t get to take a day off. They have to fight the disease every minute of every day. All I had to do was throw on a dress.

And that is the problem.

Melbourne is still cold in October. There were few days when I was free of leggings or tights and cardigans. The number of dresses that suit cold weather in my wardrobe is less than a handful. I had to wear the same outfits over and over. Sometimes I felt really over dressed, other times I felt like Punky Brewster with odd cardigans that didn’t match my dress or wearing leggings with dresses that usually wouldn’t be teamed together.

I tired of thinking about dresses. But I learnt quite a bit about the frock. I learnt that most females have quite distinct feelings about dresses, many will say ‘I don’t wear dresses’ as though the humble dress is something to stay well away from. Others love the pretty or the vintage, some love the well cut styled suit, some love a floral pattern others like bold block colours. For many people dresses are so much more than just a piece of fabric.

If you live in a hotter climate than you should certainly give Frocktober a go. If you are looking to take part in a challenge that you can do no matter what, even when you are tiring of the challenge, than Frocktober is certainly for you. If working towards a cure for cancer is important to you than you should get on board or if you haven’t given it a go before I suggest you stock up on dresses through the year and be prepared for next October. You will learn more about yourself than you expect.