As we start setting intentions for the new year, many of them often center around health and well-being. The quiet of the winter season gives us the opportunity to pause and reflect on what habits have been supporting or hindering us and to reassess how we approach them.
And the health of your mind and body can be supported by your environment. Not only your home, your office, and the places and spaces you find yourself in throughout the day, but also the environment you take with you.
If you’re the proactive and generous woman I know you are, you’re busy taking your kids to soccer practice, leading meetings at work, collecting for the local food bank, and helping your neighbor down the street take care of her dog. And you're doing it all in clothes.
I hope. ;)
While the prospect of selecting an outfit for the day might feel stressful, let’s reframe this practice. Think of it as five minutes to check in with yourself and proactively choose your mobile environment.
Because your clothes are the home you take with you out into the world.
I borrowed a phrase from high performing athletes and started referring to my practice of getting dressed in the morning as “priming.” But you could also call it a ritual or a habit. Whatever resonates with you the most.
And just like a runner warming up her body before a run, it’s how I prepare my mind and environment for my day. And it truly takes all of five minutes.
I check in with how I’m feeling.
(Calm, excited, stressed, anxious, scattered, etc.)
This usually involves a deep breath, a minute of centering, and often an internal, “Okay, cool it, Em,” if I can tell I’m already rushing.
I review my main priorities for the day.
Do I need to sit and create? Have activities with friends? Do I need to be on the floor with my team at work? Outside and in the elements?
I choose my outfit based on what I need for the day.
Am I wearing warm sweaters because I need to feel cozy and supported?
Do I need a bold pair of high heels to give me a boost of confidence?
Am I rocking (cute) sneakers because I need to be on my feet all day?
Am I feeling a little blue and need a fun color to inspire me?
Lastly, I add the small details that aren’t necessities, but just make me happy or allow me to express myself.
I’ve mentioned before about the jewelry my sister makes for me and I have a collection of plush scarves that I am particularly fond of in the wintertime. One of my clients loves collecting unique handbags that end up being a statement to even the simplest outfit!
Your closet is there to support you. This is why it’s so important to curate a selection of pieces you love that fit your needs and lifestyle. And this is why copying someone else’s style never works.
You’re not a mannequin sitting in a window. You’re a dynamic human who is living a full life.
Let’s make our closets a place of peace and comfort this year. You deserve it!