Wearing what you need to make a huge difference to your day! What’s your definition of comfy? Do you have a favorite fabric? How about a favorite blanket to cuddle up in? Or maybe you have a color that’s calming, comforting or even energizing. Wearing what you need is an easy way to help regulate your mood and infuse what you need into your day. The normal range of human emotions is pretty extensive. It goes beyond angry, sad, happy and excited. As such, emotional regulation and awareness is not always easy. Set yourself up for an easier emotional ride by approaching your day with intention.
The thing that got me thinking.
I had a year where I lost 8 people. Most of them passed away in the Fall and Winter months. No, it wasn’t because of Covid. It was years before that, and it just was what it was. So, I had this peacoat that I wore to funerals. It had a silky, satin-like lining. I would find myself rubbing the inside of that coat while sitting in church. I didn’t realize it at the time but, as I look back on that time, on that jacket, I realized how comforting the silky fabric was for me. Without even knowing it I was practicing this idea of wearing what you need. It’s no coincidence that as a child my, “blankie,” had a silky/satin-like edge to it that used to wear away by running it between my fingers or on my nose as I sucked my thumb.
It was with this realization that I started thinking about the concept of wearing what you need. Lately, if I need comfort, that takes the form of my favorite hooded sweatshirt and a cup of tea, That sweatshirt is cute, it’s warm and it’s comfortable. Another option if I’m at home and need comfort, is the blanket that I bought for the hospital when it was time to have my daughter. Snuggling up in that blanket, especially with my daughter, is so calming.
Maybe, I feel like hiding a bit, or want to feel protected. Especially as a Social Worker, doing mental health counseling, sometimes I want a little bit of a shield. In that case, that shield for me is an infinity scarf! I have clothing that makes me feel powerful, athletic, strong, professional or ready to play outside. When you approach your wardrobe choices for the day with intention it can help to shape your day through wearing what you need.
What if you don’t know what you need?
Think about how you felt the last time you wore a suit, a dress, that perfect fit pair of jeans, work boots, a sun hat, a baseball cap, sunglasses, workout gear, snow boots, or a leather jacket. Try bringing a memory to mind of the last time you felt the way you want to feel to today. Imagine what you might have been wearing and then let instinct choose for you! Notice what your drawn to for fabrics and colors and see how wearing those impacts your day. You may find that choosing this way helps you to have what you need, even if you don’t know it going into the day. You can also look around your home and notice the way certain colors, patterns, and decorative items make you feel. This can help to inform your choices too.
Wearing what you need is an easy way to help regulate your mood and
infuse what you need into your day!
I hope this tip helps! Wearing what you need can be so quick and easy! You can use the idea of emotionally regulating colors, patterns and fabrics in other ways too. Use what you notice to inform the way you decorate your space, or you might even put a fabric swatch in your pocket. Basically, the idea is to bring what you need out into the world, into your day. See more 2min self-care tips here!
Additional Resources
- Check out The verywellmind website and podcast (episode 235) about the impact of colors on your mood and behavior!
- Read this article in PsychologyToday: The Surprising Effect of Color on Your Mind and Mood
