Personal style has always been a way of showing what’s on the inside to the people in your life—a very personal outward expression of how you see yourself and how you want others to see you. As we enter a happy post-vaccination season—also known as #shotgirlsummer—it’s time to reflect on what you learned about yourself this past year. Did you change jobs, start a new hobby or discover something deeper about yourself in Zoom therapy? Or did you simply realize you’d been living with way too much, and that you’re happiest with only the basics? Whether you’re no longer feeling connected to the clothes in your closet, or you need a confidence boost to get you back into the groove of choosing everyday outfits, follow these four steps to fall back in love with your favorite pieces all over again, and maybe even recognize the growth you’ve undergone in the process. “Clients will ask me, ‘Why am I crying while I put a belt in a Goodwill bag?’ It’s about what you lost and what you gained,” Faith said. “The emotional conversation is inevitable. How do you want to feel? Your tastes most likely have changed because of what you’ve gone through.” Essentially, leave room for the unknown. It’s not just getting rid of clothes, decluttering is also about honoring that you’ve changed. Take time to process this truth. Pro Tip: This applies to going back to the workplace as well. You’re going back to the office differently. Even companies like Google are changing how they treat the office. Whether you’ve lost your job, changed industries, or are going back to the exact same cubicle, approach your professional clothes with the same intentionality. How do you want to represent yourself in this space? RELATED: Where to Donate Everything From Your Quarantine Clean-Up Now “Figure out why you want to tackle your closet. A big part of preparing is writing it down and having that affirmation for yourself, especially if you start to feel insecure,” Faith said. “Affirmations may feel cheesy, but try it in the third person, like “Faith has great taste.” It creates a sense of distance and is scientifically proven to create better results on the believability scale.” When you have this purpose written down, it’s time to try on your clothes. This may bring up insecurities, but this is when you turn back to your affirmations, whether it’s body-positive encouragement or reminding yourself why you’re tackling this project. Pro Tip: “Does it bring you joy?” can sometimes feel like a loaded question. Instead of Marie Kondoing your way out of half your closet (love her to pieces, but it’s hard!), instead try giving yourself an excuse to have a solo fashion show. In the safety of your bedroom, playing dress-up with your own stuff can make things feel lighter and lessen the pressure of decision-making. Like any relationship, you want to implement a sense of play into your everyday interaction with your closet. You’ll remember why you loved a certain top, have an epiphany that you’ve never liked that sweater, and kind of feel like you’re going shopping in your own closet. RELATED: 53 Positive Quotes to Inspire and Motivate You Start mixing and matching your Maybe pile with your Keep pile. Any outfits come out of it? Those that are left behind are a good indicator that it may be time to graduate them to the Goodbye pile. Continually ask yourself, “Does this represent who I am today? Does it make me feel aligned with myself?” Clothes are an invitation to this new world. Even if it’s old, it’s about mixing with the new. Pro Tip: Hang your items back up together as full outfits so you already know you have some exciting pieces waiting to bust out of there when happy hour is back on the calendar. If you’re in a position where you can’t afford to buy replacement clothes right now, Faith reminds us that generosity begets generosity. “You can donate your clothes, you can sell them on Poshmark, or you can give them to friends—it’s a beautiful karmic exchange,” Faith said. “If you don’t believe it, volunteer somewhere where you can recognize that people need what you don’t want. If you’re frugal and you’re holding on to something you don’t want, you’re more at a loss than a gain.” It’s a practice to create space for yourself and the person you’ve grown into. Now that you’ve cultivated the right mindset, get out there and show off your new ‘fits. Remember, you’re doing great—and you look fabulous! RELATED: How to Organize Your Closet in 30 Minutes Flat
