Prep Yourself for the Holidays
Most women don’t feel that they deserve to invest in themselves during this season. I think that is horse shit and I would like to offer you a few things to consider for yourself. .
Permission: Give Yourself Permission to Care! These are your holidays too damn it! Are you a woman that likes to look nice and feel good for the special events in your life? Or do you sabotage yourself by immediate negative self talk when it comes to your looks and clothes for events? Regardless which side you are on, the below is for you. Keep reading…….
Your Closet: Take Your Inventory. That’s right, go digging in your closet and pull out all of your holiday outfit options. Don’t just look at them, try them on, and see what you HAVE to wear. This is smart and helps you not overspend. Nothing is worse than buying a “holiday only” item and not wearing it. This will make you feel guilty for sure!
While we are on it, what is the rule for wearing last year’s outfits? Everyone does it! Please do! People don’t remember what you were wearing last year, and the only one that will go back and check your social media is you. On the other side of the coin, there are a couple reasons that you shouldn’t wear the previous year’s outfits. Reason number one- it’s been in your closet for so long that it is definitely out of style and time to toss. If you are not sure, ask an honest friend, mom, daughter, sister, or me. Reason number two and most importantly-If there is something in your closet that you associate it with a bad experience or painful time that you don’t wish to remember every year,.....THEN GET RID OF IT! None of us should do that to ourselves, any time of the year. Ask my clients, I feel very strongly about the psychology with our colors and wardrobe.
Events: What holiday events do you have to plan for? We all have events where deep down we want to show up dressed to impress, simple and festive, or maybe cute and cuddly. Consider what you have coming up and plan for them! The planning should be fun, if it’s not, you call me!
Budget: Get ready to save and spend! You may feel guilty for even thinking to spend on yourself, that’s normal, but maybe you shouldn’t. Chances are you work your ass off for everyone else’s holidays. Chances are that your family doesn’t want you completely drained, even though they may not express it. Facts on this one-we are our best self when we feel good about ourself. So, love yourself and care about your happiness too!
Now back to the budget, these considerations may help you diversify: Do you tell yourself every year that you overspent on your gifts? Or that you prepared too much food? Or there was an event that you didn’t need to prioritize?…….What if you took a little bit of that spend and applied it to you?
Gifts: $10 less per person…or maybe more? (let’s say that is $20-$100).
Food: One to three less dishes during the season ($20-$60 easy).
One less event: Get ready this one can add up-a couple drinks, maybe a meal, do we need to uber, do we need a sitter? ($20-$200).
Now let’s add it up and see the potential budget. drum roll……..You have $60-$340 to spend on yourself!
Also, there are sales to take advantage of, and clothing consignment stores. Last year I scored a super cute skirt and a pair of boots at Goodwill. The total was $10.
Bonus if you can “girl math” it further with something you will wear longer than the end of the year then it isn’t classified as holiday only.
Plan: After you have your answers to all of the above, then you can plan accordingly. As a reminder, take your own inventory, prioritize what events mean the most, consider your new budget, and most importantly give yourself some love and permission! Then, make your list of wants, prioritize, and go do your thing girl!
It may seem like a lot, but give it a whirl. If it seems easier with a little help, then check out my holiday discounts on closet consultations, styling services, or going shopping together.
