I’ve got a confession to make…

Over summer, December to March for us Aussies, it was too hot to wear much jewellery.

Due to the hot weather, I was up early on shopping days and getting out and about in the cool mornings around eight and was back around ten.

In order to get things done faster, I wore minimal jewellery. Earrings, watch/es, maybe a bangle. I still dressed up, just not with my jewels.

It helps when packing bags and trolleys and cars, not to worry about rings breaking, and necklaces smashing into the trolley when I lean over.

I’m quick, it’s simple and it’s an illusion.

When I came home and the shopping was put away, I took a break and then got the ring light ready for the dance video, and the tripod ready for the outfit shoot.

I then loaded up on my jewels.

I took the photos, did the video, and then pulled it all off. I packed up the ring light, the tripod, and sat down to upload the pictures to my Dropbox for the weekly outfit social post, and the video went into the video folder for using a few weeks later.

Once everything else was done and it was lunchtime, I went to the library and got lunch.

Did I reload the jewellery? Not really. Maybe a necklace or two, maybe some bracelets. Usually no rings.

During the writers’ group week, I put it back on, headed off for a couple of hours, came home and removed it.

There are several reasons why I don’t wear much jewellery in summer.

In 30 to 40 plus degree Aussie weather, the metal of jewellery can heat in the sun and burn.

That’s the main reason.

In summer, when you’re in a hurry to get the shopping done, it gets in the way and it’s best to be jewellery free at most, ring free at least.

That’s another reason.

Before, I used to load up, go shopping, come home and take some off. Rings especially, followed by certain bangles and bracelets. If I hadn’t broken any, that is. But now, it just seems easier, especially for summer.

I may even continue doing this over winter.

As a jewellery lover I love piling it on, but by God, I’m done with rings breaking, stones falling out, bracelets and necklaces banging against bags and trolleys.

While I love my jewellery, I’ve grown a dislike for wearing it shopping.

Over the decades, the amount I wear has grown. I used to wear earrings and a watch, as I didn’t have a lot of jewellery when we moved here. But as jewellery stores popped up, and I started shopping on eBay, the collection grew, and so I wore more.

But as I moved through my fiftieth year, maybe I was just done with the show. Especially in summer.

I have no idea what winter holds in store now we’re June. I may wear everything but the rings so I don’t break them, but who knows. I don’t. And I’ll definitely be doing the same thing next summer, and the next, and the next. It’s just easier, and we need an easy life.

What’s an illusion you guys have created for social media?