Self Care is a hot topic these days. As a Personal Stylist I believe there is such a thing as Style Self Care.
Health coaches use it to remind their clients that being intentional about their food is caring for themselves. Fitness coaches use the term to remind their clients that exercise is care for their bodies. Therapists use the term to help their clients take care of their emotional health.
How does Style Self-Care work? I am going to break it down for you!
I use the following example because it perfectly sums up when someone neglects their own Style Self Care. It may seem a bit trivial, but believe me – in the moment of panic, this is anything but a small pain point.
HELP ME!!!!
When I owned my boutique, I was a bit of a lifesaver at times. In the Spring, many families opt to have their photos taken for wonderful memories while they are together. You wouldn’t believe how many times I had a panicked mom rush into the shop desperate to find an outfit for themselves for the next day’s photoshoot.
Yes, the kids have their outfits laid out, her husband has his outfit hanging in the closet. Even the dog has a new collar and was at the groomer’s the day before. She has photos of their clothing – look, Janie’s dress matches Johnny’s sweater and Bob’s shirt has the perfect mix of colors from both their outfits. She may even bring the clothes with her! But she doesn’t have her own outfit picked out.
Why? Because she was so focused on what everyone else needed for this special day, that she forgot all about herself and how she was going to look stunning with her loved ones surrounding her.
And as panic sets in, I became a style therapist of sorts. Calming this very stressed matriarch and searching the racks for the perfect complement to the watercolor painting she’s created for the rest of her family. She tries on top after top and dress after dress, hoping that one will speak to her and it will suffice.
There were times I was 100% able to help these anxious women with the right outfit. Other times I just didn’t have the right look in the shop. I would recommend other shops in town and even call the owners to find out if they might have something perfect for her.
What it comes down to, though, is that she was so hyper focused on others that she didn’t give herself the time to feel she’d found the perfect pieces to connect the dots with her family. In other words, she forgot about her own style self care.
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STYLE IS NOT JUST A SPECIAL OCCASION ISSUE…
Very often we neglect our style daily – it starts when we don’t have the time to take a minute to focus on how WE look. Sure, the kids need all new clothes for school and maybe hubby has lost or gained a little and needs a new size. Because, ultimately, women feel as though it all comes down to them. If their family isn’t dressed well, it’s a reflection on her as a mother. We’re so caught up in what others need we forget to put ourselves first. If we take a moment for self care we can feel good about ourselves PERSONALLY.
The Covid-19 epidemic has NOT helped this situation. It gave us something new to stress out about and to, again, place focus on other’s needs. Betsy and Adam need to be on the computer for school all morning and guess who has to make sure they are doing what is required by school? The parents. Suddenly it’s 2 PM and everyone’s still in their PJs they’ve worn for the past 4 days.
It’s a fact that when you get dressed, you feel better about yourself and the day ahead. If we aren’t getting dressed, then how do we feel?
STATIC. STUCK. And somewhat grimy!
RELATED POST: SELF CARE AND CORONA VIRUS: HOW TO RECHARGE DURING STRESSFUL TIMES.
TAKING ON STEP FORWARD TO STYLE SELF CARE…
So how do we get unstuck? One day at a time. Take just five minutes a day to pick out an outfit you haven’t worn in a while or you never thought to wear before. Put it on and admire yourself in the mirror for a minute. Ahhhhhh…. Doesn’t that feel better? You will feel like a totally new person after the months of wearing the same leggings and tank tops because they are just so easy. It’s not about easy – it’s about giving your emotional health a boost by showing up for yourself.
PICK OUT A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF EVERY NOW AND THEN…
I’m not saying to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe, but when you’ve spent so much time focusing on the needs of others, don’t forget yourself! Say you’re in Target and you’re picking up some toilet paper (now that they have it again!) – you pass by this adorable top on your way to the paper products. You take a quick look at it and see they have it in your size. Even just THINKING “I want that top” can give you a boost. If you buy it for yourself, great!
If it’s a little out of the price range – go over to cosmetics and pick up a new lipstick or gloss! Or grab a face mask for you to pamper your skin when the hectic day is finally over. Remember, cosmetics are also part of your style and can give you an inexpensive way to enhance your self care.
Style Self Care, as I define it, is about thinking about yourself and how you look and feel. It’s about giving yourself the time and the PERMISSION to make yourself a priority every once in a while.
As women – society has placed the weight of our family’s shoulders on us. Whether you are married, or a single parent – you are the one person that others judge when it comes to anything about our kids and partner. It’s not fair, and unfortunately, it’s ingrained in our minds that we own it automatically. Do yourself a favor and try to schedule 15 minutes of your day – morning/noon/night – to focus solely on putting together an outfit to wear out into the world.
I promise you – this little bit of self care will help you feel a lot better.
Helping You Define Your Style!
Jen
Jennifer Ginty is a certified image consultant and personal stylist with years of experience helping women and men define their own style with wardrobe organization and personal shopping. Jen has consulted with everything from casual wear such as jeans and tops to styling for the corporate world.
“I love what I do. Some may see my career as a luxury for other people, or maybe as “extra.” But it’s so much more than what you see on the outside. For my clients and for me.”
Style is a form of self care – a way to express yourself without even speaking. Through self-introspection and just having fun, you can bring out your true self effortlessly.
It’s about dressing for the way you live and feeling great about it.
Ever feel like you just need to make a few changes in your wardrobe or maybe you feel lost when it comes to what to wear? Jen is a certified image consultant and personal stylist with years of experience helping women and men define their own style with wardrobe organization and personal shopping.
