I was inspired by a goal that Elise Joy (goal-setter extraordinaire) set for herself for 2020: "Get dressed (in an outfit I feel good in) every day."
In Bangladesh, there are some cultural “rules” about what to wear that is appropriate. This amounts, basically, to covering your curves: two layers over your chest and rear. When I was there for a week, I essentially wore the same thing every day (a long, plain navy, cotton tunic, as well as a scarf). That had its own benefits (the ease of a "uniform"!), but I was also thrilled to come home and wear what I wanted to again.
But, with the freedom to wear whatever I wanted, the question came: what did I want to wear?
Working at home, with limited interaction for 80%+ of the time, I can wear… anything. Personally, I am not tempted by pyjama pants or even sweats; I like to get dressed every day in real clothes. But, I am tempted by disinterest, to simply not put in any effort. To pull over a hoodie and some ok-fitting jeans.
Last year, it began to occur to me that I am midway through the “mom” years, and that this is the time that would be easy to give up on style, to simply lose interest.
I have never been particularly stylish, but I do have an affinity for simple, classic style. I’ve never been a peacock, but I do want to look good. Last year, I heard about a podcast episode on this very subject between two moms, asking: Have you lost your style? Has personal style taken a back seat during a busy season of life?
All of this resounded with me, so I have borrowed Elise's goal for myself — to dress every day to feel good in my skin.
I will do a follow up in a few months (ask me to make sure!), but for now, I am really enjoying this focus. If you have any everyday goals for 2020, share them below or email me — I'd love to hear them!
The threat of technology to our humanness is no new fear (hello, Blade Runner! …actually: goodbye, you are a super boring movie 😆). But, there seems to be an acute crisis of our current cultural moment, as we relate to technology.
Here is just a fraction of writings from the past month addressing this:
With so much pain, brokenness, ugliness in the world, attention to beauty, joy, & wonder is absolutely necessary!
Beauty may not solve problems itself... A stunning photograph will not end famine or war. Banksy's graffiti art does not solve Middle eastern contested-land conflicts.
But, the restoration, hope, and inspiration that come from creativity and beauty are like gas in the tank — fuel for the drivers & changers of the world.
We don’t receive a lot of returned items, but it does happen. Of course! There is some degree of risk in shopping online, always.
Stores take different approaches to return policies, sometimes with great sophistication in how it will impact your willingness to purchase. Here's a little peek at what I've learned over the years (as a customer and also as a retailer) about return policies.
Sasha Katz
February 01, 2020
I totally relate. I am a lawyer so there is some expectation about what I should wear, but I’m slowly moving to dress to feel good in my skin. It’s changing my buying choices too! I’m glad you shared.