Did you know that getting ready every day can be a huge part of self care? It can improve your mood, boost your self confidence, and improve your ability to focus and perform tasks. It’s true. Research backs it up, and I want to give you five more reasons to take that time for yourself every day.
Getting ready every day started with my mom’s example.
I grew up in a home where my mom got ready every day. In fact, she told me once that she never even missed a day of shaving her legs.
In regards to the leg shaving, I can’t say the same for myself. But getting dressed every day is engrained into me, and the older I get, the more I recognize how important it is for me, and what a difference it makes in my life.
I hear from a lot of you (especially in my Wearable Wardrobe Guide — which you can learn more about HERE if you haven’t signed up!) that you struggle to find the motivation to get dressed everyday. Especially if you’re a stay at home or work from home mom.
What’s the point of getting dressed if no one sees you but your dog, your kids, your husband, and maybe your babysitter?
Here are five reasons why it’s worth the effort to get ready every day.
1. Getting ready starts your day off right.
If I stay in pajamas or workout clothes til noon, I feel so much more lazy. I move more slowly, I’m less productive, and by the time I get ready, I’ve lost a huge part of my day.
Getting up and getting ready first thing, long before you need to be anywhere, gets you moving and motivated.
2. It’s an instant self esteem booster.
We all know that sweat pants and old t-shirts are not flattering. And we all know that we feel more confident and pretty with a little mascara on and our hair done. A cute outfit, a little hair and makeup, and suddenly you feel like a new person. I’m also far less critical of my imperfections or shortcomings when I’m feeling confident and have spent time accentuating the good things!
You don’t have to put on a fancy outfit to feel confident or put together – if you don’t believe me, WATCH THIS.
3. Taking care of yourself allows you to take care of others.
Especially as a mom, it’s easy to put yourself last in the name of sacrifice and love. But you can’t draw water from an empty well, so make sure you’re taking some time to take care of yourself too.
Sure, maybe you won’t see anyone except your kids all day long. Who cares? Do it for yourself because you are worth the effort, it’ll make you feel great, and it’ll let you be a better mom during the day. Also as a mom of little kids, I think it’s so great to model self care and self respect — my mom definitely did that for me!
4. You’re always ready for the unexpected.
You never know when someone’s going to unexpectedly drop by, or suddenly you have to run somewhere. It’s so nice to be ready for the day and be able to run out the door if needed, or answer the door without feeling completely embarrassed.
5. It makes you feel, act, and perform better.
It’s a proven fact that what you wear can improve your mood, your performance, and your focus. On days where I feel off or sick, taking a shower and putting on some makeup drastically makes me feel better. I find that I act more confident and am absolutely more focused and motivated when I’m dressed and ready for the day instead of staying in jammies all day. I found an interesting article about how dressing the part helped people in business negotiate deals, and doctors recall and perform their duties better, so it applies to everyone!
I’d love to know – do you guys get dressed and ready for the day every day? And do you believe it’s part of self care for you?
If you don’t, and you’re still doubtful, do an experiment. One whole week of getting dressed and ready for the day every day! I want to hear how it goes.
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this is a great post – i need to try this – thank you for the motivation!
I love this post! I, too, need to get Ready every day even though i stay home with my two girls. I don’t wear make-up everyday, but definitely Get dressed and i feel so much better!
I love the idea of this, but in real life (Mine) no matter if i take time to do my hair and makeuP, it’s still a frizzy, melted mess by early afternoon. I have the motivation to get ready- i love Looking nice and feeling put together- i just wish it would stay long enough to make it worth the effort! I have three boys like you- any tips on making things stay put? My biggest issue is my hair. Dry shampoo doesn’t do much for me like it seems to for so many.
Yes! I do gEt dressed and ready each day (and also make beds), even if we are not going anywhere. It defently helps me to feel better about myself, more productive, and i’ve bee saved in emergencY TrIp out the door many times! Also, your easy, quick Hair tutorials have helped a ton! My long hair is pukked up in an easy tOp knoT a couple days a week, but i still feel polished. Thanks Merrick for your blog!
Yep! Totally with you. I feel SO much better when I get ready in the morning- totally sets the tone for my whole day. love all your work Merrick, you’re awesome!!
I agree! I always feel better With clothes and Daily make up done! I always love your content and always find it so relatable. I’m fan gIrling all Over you— how youre able to workout early Mornings, eat healthy, get dressed, look amazing, etc. so many awesome ideas to help me function. i appreciate you so much. You’re so inspiring for me! Thank you!! Keep doing what you’re doing!
So…when my kids were little (your kids age), i got ready every day. Now im, ahem- older, and no, i dont. I am all about maximizing my time. Do i love runong errands and whatnot iN sweaty workout clothes? Not really. But EffiCiency will always wIn
I’m 100% with you on getting ready every day. I may get into something that’s not much different from pajamas a lot of days, but taking a shower and feeling clean makes such a difference in how I feel!
For me the added bonus is that I actually get out of the house easier when I am ready and the kid is ready. We have very changeable weather these days and I noticed that if I don’t get ready because it’s cold and rainy in the morning, I feel like getting dressed is a big hurdle if the sun does show and we could go to the park, run errands or if I could go out for a spontaneous coffee with a friend on weekends, because I need at least half an hour instead of just putting on shoes and done…
[…] wrote a post all about GETTING DRESSED EVERYDAY last year (you can read it RIGHT HERE – it’s a good […]
I badly needed to read it! Thanks for the motivation.
Every day when I get up, I take a shower and dress well. If I don’t do this, I will foolishly pass the time, without taking advantage of it. Meanwhile, I get Fresh air in the room and then make the bed. This is an example for my children, who do the same. My husband does the same, so we are ready for any plan that may come up. It really is a very good post!
I also grew up wiTh a mom Who got ready every day. I can count on tWo hands The times ive seen her take a day “off”. I havE mostlY done tHe same thing. I had My 5th baby jusT over a Year ago and have had a really hard Time GETTING back into A good rouTine with this. I think it has a lot to Do with thE fact That i am carrying more wEight than ever and nome of my clothes fit very well. So even when i shower (Which is an autOmatic mood booster for me) anD get ready i still jusT frel kind of blah! I love Your posts! THanks for sharing. Im going to do better so i can fEEl better.
Covid lockdown + pregnancy has given me every reason to NOT get ready every day. The truth is, these reasons TO get ready are spot on! With my emotions all over the place, I have to take care of myself first thing so I’m ready to take care of my kids for the rest of the day. Now, instead of asking where I’m going when I put on some makeup, they ask if I’m ok if I haven’t gotten dressed by noon! Haha
I have a set routine after I wake up: bathroom, short stretch routine, write in journal, start my 10,000 steps, shower and dress.
What I put on depends on the day; fitness days (M,W, F) put on workout clothes and take a one hour class. then change. Other days, right into cute clothes. I do a very light makeup routine.
This is so TRue! I’m not a mum but i have been working from home since covid started and for the First few months i gave Up making any effort. I eventually worked out that it was making me really depreSSed and Even on the days i Dont see anyone (as i live on my own) i still feel better. LovE fRom the uk x
[…] your ability to focus and perform tasks. It’s true. Research backs it up, and I want to give five more reasons to take that time for yourself […]
Of course! I start with workout clothes but after that, change into nice pants or crops with a cute top and sandals (summer edition). One minute of makeup and I’m ready. I’m in and out of our condo, working in the library or the business office on volunteer activities and most nights, meet friends for dinner in our residential dining room (included with condo monthly fees).
I have to be sick to stay in my pjs.
Thank you for this advice and motivation! You are 100% Right. I will commit to this ritual of getting ready every day! Btw can you pretty Please share where you PURCHASEd your shoes, white pants, and blue top you are wearing in the pic above? ThanK you for all that you share! You are amazing and an inspiration!
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