We should be what we want to be everyday, I’ll admit. Sometimes though, that’s easier said than done. Since Halloween is coming up I thought I would talk about how we can benefit from the holiday in a personal development kind of way.

Halloween gives us the ability to be something that we would otherwise feel to uncomfortable to be. A Halloween costume can be like a protective shroud… you can “let your hair down” and let go of many of your inhibitions because inside that costume you are “safe”.  No one judges anyone on Halloween, so it’s your opportunity not just to dress up and have fun, but to make the holiday work for you!It’s literally your opportunity to be anything and anyone you want to be without any repercussions. What a gift!

Maybe you’re a talker like me, and would love to experience what it would be like to be quiet… a “fly on the wall”. Pick a costume that incorporates silence… a mime or monk or something of that nature (or, be a fly on a wall!). Maybe you’re an introvert who longs to know the feeling of being the life of the party! Pick a costume that not only lends itself to an outgoing personality, but also something that attracts attention and spurs conversation. You can even spend the day living as a person of the opposite sex, just to see what it’s like! One year, I was my “inner spirit” for Halloween. It was fun because that costume had no rules. I wore a collection of mismatched and unique “artifacts” that I thought represented me on the inside. There are lots of fun things that you can do, and none of them involve being a vampire, ghost, or rubber-masked freak. Think about what you sometimes wish you could experience, but have maybe been too inhibited (or concerned about judgement) and use Halloween to test the water. See how it makes you feel…

Here are some links to sites that offer great costume ideas, and some places online where you can buy whatever you need.

• About.com has a great article on finding costumes for married couples.
• Here’s a great store for getting the gear you need. It’s a good place to rummage around for ideas, too.
• Ehow has a great post on how to come up with a unique costume idea.
• Here’s an alphabetical list of costumes, with age appropriate information.
• Here are some women’s costume ideas, and a link for some “sexy” costumes if you’re lookin’ to go that route.
• AskMen.com has some costume ideas for men.
• For ideas on how to use stuff in your closet to make your costume, visit Costume Idea Zone.
• If you’re in need of some ideas for you kids (this is usually not a problem because kids are soooooo creative), here’s a site for the little ones…
• Finally, here are 101 Halloween Ideas!

Remember though, these places are great for ideas, but you’ll benefit more from the day of dress up if you choose something unique and that allows you to step outside of your box for this night… if a french maid costume does this for you, great! If not, use these links as a way to come up with something fresh!

Happy Halloween…

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