Using Fashion as a Form of Self Care

Published by thishalcyonlife

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Do you own any outfits that make you feel like your absolute best whenever you wear them? Outfits that make you stand a little taller and raise your head a little higher? Outfits that make you appear more confident, and overall, make you feel happier? And now how often do you look through your clothes and then choose the safe option of jeans and a t-shirt?

I’m definitely guilty of this, especially early in the morning before I leave for work. I often don’t want to be bothered with coordinating a outfit, so I choose black jeans with a simple top, which is exactly what I wore today. It isn’t what makes me feel the best, but it’s easy.

That’s a mindset I need to change. Sure, what I’m wearing now is cute, but I know of a few things I could have done to jazz it up and make me feel even better about it. I could have worn heeled boots, wore a few rings, or even changed into a different pair of pants to give my outfit a pop of color. All of these changes would have made me feel better about what I wore today. And why wouldn’t I want to feel the best I can about what I’m wearing?

There are some days when I have the urge to slip on some heels and put on a bold lipstick even though I’m just going to the grocery store. I’ve never acted on this because I always feel like it’s a little too much for where I’m going. But, next time I think about doing something like that, I might follow through with it. I might look a little weird getting a frozen pizza out of the freezer section while wearing heels on a Saturday, but I deserve to feel good about myself.

As someone who has struggled with depression and some body image issues throughout my life, it is nice to be able to have a couple of outfits when I need a little bit of a confidence boost in my day. I have a mental list of the tops, jeans, shoes, and accessories that I feel the best in. But, self confidence and happiness about your appearance shouldn’t be an occasional thing. If you’re able to find something, or even a few things, that make you feel like the best version of yourself, why not wear them more often? We all deserve to feel great in what we’re wearing every day, not just on special occasions.

The next time you’re looking at an outfit you’re wearing, ask yourself what you could do to make yourself feel even better. Is there anything you could add to the outfit? Or maybe one of the pieces just isn’t working for you at all? Making those changes, even something as small as jewelry, can have a big impact on how you feel.

So, throw on your favorite items, maybe even give yourself a pep talk in the mirror, and go out and rock it.