Tonight I’m bringing you some wisdom from the eve of my third business trip in as many weeks: I cannot do All The Things.
I am busy and stressed out to the point where I sometimes google “deep breathing GIFs” and then breathe along with a pretty GIF for five minutes until I’m no longer on the verge of having a panic attack at my desk. When is the last time I wrote an email that didn’t begin with an apology for the delay? I don’t know. Months ago, maybe.
I’ve never really given a lot of thought to self-care outside of making fun of it as an Instagram fad and maybe doing a face mask every once in a while, but being in a near constant state of heightened anxiety has forced me to take a hard look at the toll that stress is taking on my body. Stress was causing me real, physical bodily harm. I won’t go into the personal details, but the main takeaway is this: self-care is no longer optional.
I used to think that self-care was this very woo woo unattainable thing. Now, I know it boils down to this: drink water, eat vegetables, sleep. I might not have time to read or take a bubble bath or go to the gym or meditate, but if I can manage just those three basic things, I at least won’t break my body. I also really do recommend breathing along with a GIF if you find yourself in a moment of uncontrollable overwhelm. I was surprised by how much it helped me to calm down and focus when I was really freaking out.
Getting dressed, at least, is not a stressor. In times like this, I tend to revert back to my personal uniform of black bottoms and a white top. Maybe it’s boring and not an interesting choice for a fashion blogger, but I always feel at home in that combination. Comfortable, confident, and appropriate for whatever I’m doing. I managed to grab a few photos over the last week or so, and I wanted to share them with you because I’m basically wearing the exact same outfit in all of them, and I thought that was sort of funny.
I picked up the white Keds and the light spring jacket shortly before my recent trip to Arizona because I didn’t have a pair of shoes that was casual and knock-around enough to set up a trade show booth in, and I didn’t have a spring coat that was office appropriate (I don’t love showing up to meetings in my L.L. Bean barn coat…). Neither of these purchases were from ethical brands, but I don’t regret buying them.
I’m wearing a lot of my favorite clothes in these photos, but I’m just too tired to link them tonight. If you have questions about a specific item, let me know in the comments below and I’ll direct you!
Take a deep breath, friends, and take care of yourselves. You do not have to do All The Things.
Goblin Shark 
So true–simple self care is the most important! I am sorry work has been stressful.
Unrelated: Are you wearing the highlighter you blogged about several months ago? Because if so I am going to go dig your makeup post out and hit “add to cart” v aggressively…
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Ha! No, I’m actually wearing the Fenty Match Stix highlighter in these photos! I think the color is called starstruck. It’s a little cheaper than the benefit one and I like it better! I’ll also say that I have super oily skin, so my face is pretty shiny to begin with.
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That’s actually great for me because powder doesn’t always work on me. Thanks!
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I really like that jacket and have been looking for something similar for quite a while. I know you said it’s not from an ethical brand, but where is it from (I have not found such a jacket from an ethical brand and I very much need one!)? Thank you! Hope you feel better soon 🙂
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Hi Eve! I’m glad you like the jacket! Despite it not being from an ethical brand, it is a really great light jacket for spring. Water resistant, big pockets, rollable sleeves, etc. It’s by French Connection and I found it at T.J. Maxx for about $30. I did see a few on Poshmark as well. You might have some luck if you Google “french connection elongated bomber”.
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Thank you!
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I used to have the same kinds of feelings about self-care but I had the same revelation. It’s not optional! Keep breathing!
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So true! Thank you ♥️
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I have been in the same boat – work has been crazy so my closet has been a source of consistency and basics rather than a place where I create. At least for now. And that’s okay! I think we all go through seasons of life that are busier and more stressful than others, and we can’t manage to keep all the plates spinning at the same time. Your self care outfits are really cute, so you’re still looking fresh even if you’re life feels hard right now. Hang in there!
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Hi Renee! It’s so fascinating to track how our personal style matches our inner experience. Love your reflections on having a comfort outfit – I definitely do too (crew neck sweatshirt, jeans, simple activity appropriate shoes). As a therapist I of course bought the woo woo stuff a long time ago. It’s amazing how simple and small changes can shift our wellbeing. Glad you’re finding some strategies that work – and I’m going to check out those GIFs!
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