Scientific research shows I was correct about the effects of makeup on my peers and my choice to begin using it.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/13/fashion/makeup-makes-women-appear-more-competent-study.htm
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Trial Phase Over
Today marks a personal milestone in my NT world. Hair, makeup, dress, all conforming to the norm for the casual observer. All I have to do now is remember to smile and spin doctor every event possible into a pleasing perspective. It's working! People are making comments like, "She's a light!" Still, when I walk out my front door, every cat in the neighborhood comes running and meowing, begging for pets I can't give...allergic. Don't feed them, either, but here they come, loving me so much they cross the street and I have to shoo them home so they don't get run over! Don't think I can hide that with makeup or by fixing my hair or by dressing for success. So, if that's the worst of my problems, I don't have a problem. Yay!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Experiment 1
After a few weeks of monitoring my facial expressions via an HD webcam, photographing myself and correcting my face for expressions that might convey any angry emotions (although the actual emotion is not anger, or really any emotion, just intense concentration), I've had some unexpected outcomes.
One outcome if this experiment is that I realize that what I'm doing with my webcam and with the correction of my facial expressions to be more "acceptible" to NTs, is biofeedback. And it seems to be working in that I am having more positive interactions with people at work.
I am also become more aware of the actual muscles in my face, which ones to contract and relax for a more pleasant, work-face expression, and for a more uplifting smile.
The last outcome is that I have begun spending more time grooming my long locks into a sleeker, more professional style and wearing makeup to enhance my features. It is not uncommon for women in my profession to dispense with time-consuming hair styles and makeup, but I'm finding that paying more attention to my appearance makes me feel better about me, although I didn't even know that was possible before I started this experiment. I had no idea I'd be wearing makeup and styling my hair in a few weeks, plus dressing more professionally as well. It's fun.
I'm sure that the key to success for me is to make it fun.
One outcome if this experiment is that I realize that what I'm doing with my webcam and with the correction of my facial expressions to be more "acceptible" to NTs, is biofeedback. And it seems to be working in that I am having more positive interactions with people at work.
I am also become more aware of the actual muscles in my face, which ones to contract and relax for a more pleasant, work-face expression, and for a more uplifting smile.
The last outcome is that I have begun spending more time grooming my long locks into a sleeker, more professional style and wearing makeup to enhance my features. It is not uncommon for women in my profession to dispense with time-consuming hair styles and makeup, but I'm finding that paying more attention to my appearance makes me feel better about me, although I didn't even know that was possible before I started this experiment. I had no idea I'd be wearing makeup and styling my hair in a few weeks, plus dressing more professionally as well. It's fun.
I'm sure that the key to success for me is to make it fun.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Experiment 1
My efforts are working, for the smile at least.
My eyebrow line still frowns with concentration; I don't know if I will ever be able to smooth that line out, but the smile seems to offset that in the photos I'm taking.
The photos I'm taking randomly throughout the days are helping a lot and take almost no time at all to take and view with my HD webcam. I am still correcting for frowns and then photographing my face again with correction.
At first I found this to be tiring, but my environment is presently full of shiny, happy people walking by my office door offering sincere greetings daily. These people are supporting me in my efforts without knowing they are doing so. Just goes to show that we will never know how much our attitude really affects others. All the more reason to be pleasant and smiling as much as possible in social situations. The least it will do is make me feel a lot better.
My eyebrow line still frowns with concentration; I don't know if I will ever be able to smooth that line out, but the smile seems to offset that in the photos I'm taking.
The photos I'm taking randomly throughout the days are helping a lot and take almost no time at all to take and view with my HD webcam. I am still correcting for frowns and then photographing my face again with correction.
At first I found this to be tiring, but my environment is presently full of shiny, happy people walking by my office door offering sincere greetings daily. These people are supporting me in my efforts without knowing they are doing so. Just goes to show that we will never know how much our attitude really affects others. All the more reason to be pleasant and smiling as much as possible in social situations. The least it will do is make me feel a lot better.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Experiment 1
Today is Day 3 of my experiment using a webcam to monitor my facial expressions while working. I have taken several photos using my webcam, comparing what emotion the expression resembles and what I was thinking at the time, including any overt emotion I was feeling.
Today I wore clear lense glasses instead of my usual tinted glasses. The effect is a much more inviting appearance, or so my camera tells me. I have also put on just a bit of makeup and fixed my long hair into a smoother style. The webcam tells me these are all good things since my physical appearance is beginning to match that of those around me more closely. Conforming in at least appearance is a good start to creating a more approachable person. When in Rome...
Keeping up the facial expressions is a bit tiring, but I will get used to it in time. It's like any exercise program: keep after it and it eventually gets easier.
Today I wore clear lense glasses instead of my usual tinted glasses. The effect is a much more inviting appearance, or so my camera tells me. I have also put on just a bit of makeup and fixed my long hair into a smoother style. The webcam tells me these are all good things since my physical appearance is beginning to match that of those around me more closely. Conforming in at least appearance is a good start to creating a more approachable person. When in Rome...
Keeping up the facial expressions is a bit tiring, but I will get used to it in time. It's like any exercise program: keep after it and it eventually gets easier.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Experiment 1
Viewing myself with a webcam isn't much different than looking in the mirror. Having a mirror on top of my monitor while working isn't practical, and the webcam is inconspicuous and can also be used for other functions.
So far, the occasional viewing of my facial expressions while working is making me more aware of the muscles in my face. My goal is a more relaxed brow and smile while working. Holding the smile is a workout! At the same time, I am paying attention to how much, if any, the relaxed face affects my ability to concentrate on my work.
Presently my work is writing for a grant, which requires intensive concentration.
Here's the method I use when I decide to look at myself in the webcam during a brief writing break: I hold my facial muscles as they are and then look in the webcam. I correct the expression while watching my movements in my webcam.
Here's my hypothesis: repeating these exercises will eventually help me incorporate a more natural, smiling face that people prefer. I appear am more approachable, and therefore, can be more effective socially.
So far, the occasional viewing of my facial expressions while working is making me more aware of the muscles in my face. My goal is a more relaxed brow and smile while working. Holding the smile is a workout! At the same time, I am paying attention to how much, if any, the relaxed face affects my ability to concentrate on my work.
Presently my work is writing for a grant, which requires intensive concentration.
Here's the method I use when I decide to look at myself in the webcam during a brief writing break: I hold my facial muscles as they are and then look in the webcam. I correct the expression while watching my movements in my webcam.
Here's my hypothesis: repeating these exercises will eventually help me incorporate a more natural, smiling face that people prefer. I appear am more approachable, and therefore, can be more effective socially.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Experiment 1
I have discovered rather later in life that I have Asperger's Syndrome. This is not an illness as far as I am concerned, just a different way of thinking and interacting socially. However, it does cause some amount of trouble for me, on several levels.
The most basic level I have discerned is that my facial expressions do not mirror those of NTs. This leads to a lot of misunderstanding of others concerning my personality. I would like to correct for my facial expressions.
My experiment includes setting up a webcam on my work computer, running at all times so I can check my expression from time to time.
What I have seen during this first few hours of monitoring my face is my very intense face, both eyebrows scrunched, mouth downturned. Anger could easily be the interpretation others may come to if they were watching my "work face".
What I have discovered is that if I hold a small smile, the muscles around my eyebrows are unable to scruntch into the frowning position.
I can tell that trying to hold this small smile is not just an exercise in appearing more like an NT, and therefore, making me more inviting and approachable to others, but is also a good exercise in general for facial muscles. Added to that is my knowledge that the brain does not know the difference between a fake or real smile; either results in the release of dopamine, the feel good hormone. I think that increased levels of dopamine will also help me to smile more naturally, so it's a good cycle.
I need to take some photos and upload to my blog...Aspie face and Academy Award NT face.
8.15.11
The most basic level I have discerned is that my facial expressions do not mirror those of NTs. This leads to a lot of misunderstanding of others concerning my personality. I would like to correct for my facial expressions.
My experiment includes setting up a webcam on my work computer, running at all times so I can check my expression from time to time.
What I have seen during this first few hours of monitoring my face is my very intense face, both eyebrows scrunched, mouth downturned. Anger could easily be the interpretation others may come to if they were watching my "work face".
What I have discovered is that if I hold a small smile, the muscles around my eyebrows are unable to scruntch into the frowning position.
I can tell that trying to hold this small smile is not just an exercise in appearing more like an NT, and therefore, making me more inviting and approachable to others, but is also a good exercise in general for facial muscles. Added to that is my knowledge that the brain does not know the difference between a fake or real smile; either results in the release of dopamine, the feel good hormone. I think that increased levels of dopamine will also help me to smile more naturally, so it's a good cycle.
I need to take some photos and upload to my blog...Aspie face and Academy Award NT face.
8.15.11
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