These Wardrobe Items Could Be Hurting Your Mental Health
Do you often find yourself looking through your closet and crying?
Okay, maybe not actually crying, but just feeling overwhelmed, stressed and annoyed? Wondering why it’s 2014 and there still isn’t an app that can help you piece together the perfect outfit like Cher had in Clueless?
As if!
While I can’t help you with that, I can offer you some ideas for wardrobe clarity. Clarity of getting rid of those pieces that are hurting your mental health. Ensembles that just make you go, “ugh!” And I’m not talking about those fashion faux pas you’re holding on to like your parachute pants that you swear will make a comeback (they won’t). I’m talking about things that just have to go for sake of your well-being like…
1. YOUR EX’S SWEATSHIRT
Let. Go.
Yes, it smells like Old Spice. And yeah, you look cute in it. But if every time you put it on, you think of him, miss him, long for him, then it has to go. This really goes for ANYTHING your ex used to own that holds some emotional connection, like that sock you can’t wear without gloating, “It was my ex’s. He left it here. Do you think that means he wants to get back together?” It’s time to dump that shirt like he dumped you. In the great words of the Academy Award winning song from Frozen, “let it go.”
2. THOSE JEANS THAT MAKE YOU FEEL FAT
Don’t let it come to this.
Get rid of anything that makes you feel fat. Because you’re not fat.
4 in 10 women squeeze into jeans because they don’t want to admit they need the next size up.
Guilty.
Trust me, you’ll be much more comfortable physically and mentally wearing jeans that actually fit instead of those jeans that you’re forcing to fit. The last thing you need is to be totally bummed out trying to fit into your skinny jeans from freshman year. No one needs that kind of pressure! Get them out of your sight. Only keep things that make you feel awesome!
3. THAT CHEAP TOP THAT IS FALLING APART
You knew it when you bought it for $9.99 on sale that you could only get two MAYBE three uses out of it. But ten wears later it’s still hanging there in your closet. Unraveling, every time you look at it. THOW. IT. OUT. If it was that cheap, just get another one. But be honest with its shelf life.
4. THAT SPORTS BRA THAT GIVES YOU NO SUPPORT
There’s nothing worse than readjusting in downward dog while your yoga instructor snaps at you to focus and you want to snap back, “I’m focusing on not Janet Jackson-ing the entire studio!” But you don’t because this is yoga not boxing. Sports bras should be like friends. Only keep the ones that give you the proper support.
5. YOUR EX-BFF’S DRESS YOU BORROWED THAT YOU PROMISED YOU’D GIVE BACK BUT NOW YOU DON’T REALLY TALK ANYMORE SO YOU THINK IT’S YOURS
It’s not. One of the best things about having a bestie is double the wardrobe! But friendships come and go. If you and a friend had a falling out and you have their stuff, give it back. I had a former friend do this to me with two of my favorite tops. Don’t tell yourself you’ll do it when you see her again. Like actually make an effort to return it to her. It’s one thing if your friend/former friend said something like, “keep it, I never wear it.” But if you have their go-to hot date dress and you’re holding it for some kind of revenge, be the bigger person and return it. For the sake of karma.
6. THAT UGLY SHIRT YOUR MOM GOT YOU THAT GOES WITH NOTHING
Moms are great. And they try SO hard to get it. But often they don’t. Especially when it comes to your wardrobe. My mom recently sent me (without warning) this shirt I wore back in my “I really want to be taken seriously” stage. I kid you not it looks exactly like Seinfeld’s puffy shirt. I have no intention of ever wearing it and am reminded of this every time I open my closet. It’s gotta go.
Bottom line, your wardrobe should be your sanctuary.
See how happy and at peace Carrie is?! I bet you she’s not hoarding Aidan’s gross t-shirt. Keep your closet full of things that makes you happy, confident and at peace. Because you deserve it!
I’d love to know, what items in your closet are hurting your mental health?
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