There is one small step in your morning that can make or break your entire day. And if you think it is eating breakfast, you may be surprised.
It is a secret that successful people have found to have a great day, and it is easier than you may think. When you pick out your clothes for the day you are setting yourself up to have a great day, or a bad day – and you may not even know it.
Making a conscious decision in the morning to put on an outfit that makes you feel great can set up your day to be a great one. Don’t believe me?
Do the clothes really make the person?
Do you feel confident in the clothes you are wearing today? What you’re wearing today could have been a direct expression of how you felt when you selected your outfit this morning.Did you even think about it? Do you find that some days you wear clothes you feel good in are generally just better days?
I can think of a day that I wore a new outfit I loved for the first time. I felt strong, confident and powerful like I could take on the world. You can harness this power every morning by starting your day with a powerful outfit.
Think about these times your clothes reflected how you felt.
1. Consider a trip to the hospital.
As soon as you put on the ugly baggy hospital gown, you feel vulnerable, unsure of yourself, and defenseless. Your physical symptoms may even worsen. Who feels fantastic wearing a hospital gown? No one.
2. Think back to the last time you wore some new workout wear.
Did you feel like you had your best workout ever when you were dressed in your new active wear?
* You likely felt more serious about what you were doing and gave your best effort.
* Maybe you believed you were looking pretty buff that day and that you were on your way to your strongest body yet.
3. Research supports the connection between clothes and feelings.
One researcher had some of her students put on Superman T-shirts and then take a survey about how they felt about themselves. Those wearing the Superman shirts reported they were more likable and even physically stronger than those not wearing the Superman shirts.
4. When you dress up to go to a wedding or fancy dinner, you feel elegant.
For most of us, putting on our “Sunday best” brings out our best manners and makes us feel confident about our looks.
* The better you think you look, the better you feel about yourself. That’s surely a vote for looking your best whenever you can.
5. Women who are depressed focus on wearing the same clothing.
A recent study found that rather than looking at their entire wardrobes, women with depression selected clothing from just ten percent of all the apparel in their closets.
6. If you find yourself wearing your jeans often, you may be depressed.
According to additional research, women who were feeling down in the dumps just grabbed their jeans and put them on.
* So, when you’re repeatedly slipping in to those old, comfortable jeans, examine how you’re really feeling.
7. Think back to when you wore something you disliked.
If you’ve ever thought your pants were too tight, your behind looked too large, or the bright colors showcased your flaws, you likely experienced negative feelings rather than positive ones about your clothing. How you feel about your outfit can negatively affect your day.
8. Now, consider how you feel when you wear your favorite clothes.
Maybe it’s that light blue shirt with the gray pants. Or the red polka dot dress with the white scarf and navy heels. You feel fantastic when you wear clothes you love. As it turns out, your feelings are closely connected with the clothes you wear. When you have a wardrobe that’s appealing to you, you’ll live a happier, more confident life.
TAKE ACTION: Go through your closet today and donating those outfits that seem to bring you down. Who knows, those same clothes might lift the spirits of someone else!
Consider books like The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing or Throw Out Fifty Things: Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life to help the process.
Hate shopping for clothes, or not sure what would look best on your? (ME TOO!!!) I use Stitch Fix and have 5 items sent to me each month by a stylist based on my likes and style, my lifestyle and my size.
The service is only $20 a month, and you can choose which items to keep or send back. I have been blown away by the items sent to me! The fit has been great, they are items I LOVE and they are items I never would have picked out myself!
Finding new power items have helped me shape my days to be better ones from the start.
Be more conscious when you get dressed in the morning to put your best foot forward. Pick an outfit that sets the tone for your entire day. Try it out and see how it works for you. Let me know in the comments below if your outfit sets the day for you.
To your happy, healthy, balanced and successful life. The life of your dreams.
