Well, well, well, if it isn’t us, back at it again. This time yapping and searching for joy. I may as well start a substack account with all that I have to say. Lately I’ve been going out of my way to bring back the things in my life that make me happy, that I have dropped lately. Why do we do that? When things get stressful, why are the first things we drop, the ones that give us happiness?
Any who... I’ve been painting again, running outside, getting spray tans ( IYkYK)... I even put a folding table next to a window so I’m not looking at a wall all day while working – hey, whatever floats my boat, right?
But it got me thinking about how happy clothes make me. I know this is a ME PROBLEM, but they really do change someones mood. So here we are with my not-so-humble advice...
Looking for the secret to a happier day? Drumroll, please…
Get dressed.
And if you want an extra pep in your step?
Add color.
Want to be practically skipping into the grocery store with I’m Walking on Sunshine playing in your head?
Throw in a pattern.
This does NOT mean workout clothes OR athelisure.
Unless you’re in the hottest matching workout set known to man and genuinely look like you could be walking into an Alo campaign. Then, by all means, carry on.
“But I work from home. Who’s going to see me?”
You brush your teeth every morning, don’t you?
You probably make your bed too.
No one’s inspecting either of those things. You do them because they make you feel like you’ve started your day. & for dental health. Getting dresses is for you mental health, which ii arguable much more important...
Put on something that makes you smile. Something colorful. Something that feels a little fun. Better yet, wear a pattern that makes you pause and think, Wait… is this really cool, or is it a little zany? Personally? I’ll choose zany over monotonous every. damn. time.
One of the questions I get most from friends is, “I work from home… what am I even getting dressed for?” They want to look put together. They want to love what they’re wearing. They just feel like they’re getting dressed for… nothing.
Here’s the thing. You’re getting dressed for you. Let’s be honest—that’s what girls do. We get dressed for ourselves… and maybe just a little bit for each other. and NOTHING feels better than when the girls saying your outfit ii so fun.
I challenge the "jeans and a tee" girls to add a an interesting conversation started to your outfir. A pop of striking color, a polka dot, a studded belt, a super interesting shoe that makes people look at your feet before your face, a bag that looks like a dang octopus! (you get the gyst). An oatmeal sweater is a wardrobe staple and I have plenty, but the soundtrack to your life will be more Lumineers than Earth Wind and Fire.
Over the next few weeks, The Monday Manifest is going to be your answer to “What do I wear today?” Think joyful color, unexpected pattern, effortless outfits that look thoughtful, and ideas that make getting dressed fun again as we navigate this awkward in-between season.
Is it still summer? Is it fall? Is it “pre-fall?” (Seriously… wtf is pre-fall?)
