Use Clothing to be Kind to Yourself During the Holidays—Clothes as an Untapped Mental Health Tool
If you go on social media during the holiday season, you’re bound to see a meme (or five) about the stress of the holiday season. We all recognize these stressors: the extended time with family, financial stress, the introspection that comes with the flipping of the calendar, and the shorter days that can bring about seasonal depression. Maybe the holidays feel lonely or, like me, remind you of loved ones you lost and miss so much. With all of that, it can still be the most wonderful time of the year! And it can also be deeply challenging. We believe you can honor and hold space for all of the emotions.
I want to spend some time talking about how clothes are a totally underutilized tool for the self-care you may need.
Ask Yourself These Questions:
What do you want to signal with what you’re wearing? Think about each situation you are stepping into. Do you want to signal poised & polished? Untouchable and strong? Remember that clothing can be your armor in a stressful situation. This is one of our foundational principles at BU Style. Clothes are a huge part of self-actualization.
What fabrics make you feel supported and comfortable? Perhaps you just want your clothes to be soft and luxurious; fabrics that feel like a hug when that’s exactly what you need.
What clothes feel like emotional support? Look for clothes that have sentimental value. You know, those items that hold good memories and energy. These can help transport you when you’re stressed.
What’s going on beneath the surface? This is a fun one. Sometimes it can be particularly hard when you’re visiting family whose values don’t align with your own. One of my favorite tips is to focus then on your undergarments. What kind of secret can you keep, just for yourself? What inner life are you nurturing?
What shapes support a kind body image? There’s a lot of murmuring about the merits of “body positivity” and “body neutrality.” Instead of engaging in that debate when you’re surrounded by a plethora of food and potential familial triggers, focus instead on just finding clothing shapes that make you feel comfortable. Show yourself grace and compassion. Focusing on kindness for yourself (and others!) can help keep some of those intrusive thoughts away.
We put on clothes every day, so why not do it thoughtfully and strategically? Personally, I’ll be using a combination of these tips over the holiday period, and then I’ll resolve to take this level of self-care and kindness through to the next year. I hope you’ll meet me there.
Nat x
