Dressing yourself as if you were dressing a good friend
There are a few little ways I "trick" myself into getting dressed in a way that makes me feel good, especially on the days when I don't feel good.
Because let's be honest, it's a bit of a cycle.
When you're feeling happy and confident, it's easy. You naturally reach for the outfit you love. You wear the bright top, your favourite lipstick, the earrings that make you smile. And unsurprisingly... you feel even better.
But on the days when you're tired, overwhelmed or just a bit fed up?
That's usually when the old leggings come out. The oversized jumper. The clothes that are clean rather than the ones you actually love. The "that'll do" outfit.
And here's the thing... even after being in Joyfully Dressed for a while, those days still happen. They happen to our longest-standing members. They happen to me too, and I literally teach this stuff for a living!
The problem is that those choices often reinforce how you're already feeling.
We know colour can lift our mood. We know wearing clothes that fit well and feel like us can make us stand a little taller. But they're often the last things we reach for when we're having a wobble.
So here's one of my favourite mindset tricks.
I ask myself: "If my best friend felt like this today, what would I encourage her to put on?"
I certainly wouldn't hand her the oldest leggings in her drawer and tell her to disappear into them.
I'd encourage her to wear the colour that makes her feel like her best self. The top that always gets compliments. The jumper that feels like a hug. I'd remind her that she deserves to feel good, especially on the days she doesn't feel her best.
So why don't we offer ourselves that same kindness?
The days you least feel like making an effort are often the days your future self will be most grateful that you did.
It doesn't have to be a full face of makeup or a perfectly styled outfit.
Maybe it's just swapping the grey jumper for the teal one.
Maybe it's wearing your favourite earrings.
Maybe it's putting on the lipstick that always makes you feel a little more like you.
Dress yourself with the same care, encouragement and compassion you'd give someone you love.
Because you deserve that kindness too.
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