Its Ok to care about how you look.

 Savoring simple daily pleasures

It's too easy to feel a little guilty or selfish when you care about how you look. I assure you, you needn't feel either of those things—in fact, you shouldn't. 

If you are on a health and wellness journey or want to change your body shape or lose some weight, you'd most likely start by eating well, being conscious of what you're putting into your body, and moving it regularly. 

If you want to feel good about yourself BEFORE you lose the weight or hit a goal of some kind, it's time to step out of the drab, baggy oversized clothing and dress in a way that makes you feel good. The better you feel, the more motivated you'll become and the better you'll do.

Never mind waiting to go shopping or update you wardrobe until you are your goal size or weight, if you take the time and dress to feel good now, you’re more likely to put your self on the right trajectory to reach that goal- Clothes are a better catalyst to reaching a goal than they are a reward. If you feel good and confident and fit in your gym clothes or your smart, well-fitted professional pants, you are far more likely to want to reach that goal and put yourself in the right headspace to achieve it. Imagine rocking up to workout in an old band tee-shirt and baggy stained swet pants and feeling like you can give it 100%, like you are the fit person you want to be. It's far easier to visualise and far more motivating if you are in clothes that make you look and feel good already. Just like the tailored understated corporate pants, paired with a simple crisp shirt and a leather belt- understated professionalism- or the slightly too loud blouse you got on special that isn’t quite your colour and doesn’t fit quite right so you keep tugging at it though the interview for the dream job in a top company- which will make you feel confident and grow an inch taller just because you feel your best in it- regardless of your size or shape. 

Dress like the person you want to be and have the habits you want to have - project yourself into that personality and lifestyle using clothing as a tool.

Filling up your closet is not the same as building a wardrobe. We need to be intentional with what we choose to occupy space in our wardrobe, and only permit items you know look good on you, fit well, and let your personality and personal style shine through. 

Become a hunter, not a gatherer- seek out that particular item you know there is a gap for, which will pair with multiple items you already have. As opposed to buying something on a whim as its a good deal but actually when you get it home there really very little it can work with, so it just sits there, taking up valuable closet real estate and doing you no favour’s in the meantime and has served no other purpose than to empty your account a little more. 

That's not to say you need to spend a fortune or have an unlimited budget- far from it. We can get creative with how and where we spend on items and become practiced at spotting a quality bargain or consignment gem that we have a use for and a requirement for. Value is subjective- it's how important an item is to you and how it makes you feel, regardless of the price tag. 

I heard an idea for a great test to figure out if you are in a style rut or just successfully honing your true style…..

Imagine you were to phone a friend right now and suggest you meet for coffee in 15 minutes, and ask that friend to guess what they think you'd most likely be wearing. 

If they pretty much guess down to the type of hair tie you'll be wearing - you might want to reflect on that predictability and find strategies to lift your self out of the rut. If they guess the general ethos- as in, probably a blazer, maybe ballet flats and likely an accent of a colour- that's more of a style than a predictable rut. and you can pat yourself on your stylish back for that. 

But don't be complacent - regularly evaluate and check pieces in your wardrobe for style, fit, wear, and usage. 

I can't wait to get stuck into mine over the next week now that our seasons are really turning, and I'm looking forward to having a refresh and making some space- and also donating or even selling a few items I'm just not getting use out of. 

Such a satistying task, and then to walk back into your beautifully curated boutique-esqu wardrobe afterwards- dreamy.