Like many, I've struggled with my mental health since the pandemic. Anxiety and depressive episodes heightened as the world unraveled, leaving me with little control and no reason to look my best. In the years since, bike shorts and hoodies have become my daily work-from-home uniform, a comfortable combo that both soothes and increases my anxiety. Sure, I love a good athleisure moment, but the creativity and mindset reset that occurs when getting dressed is a feeling unlike any other—it's self-care.
And that's a lesson from my mother's toolbox I've constantly used to manage my mental health. Throughout my life, I've seen how my mother turned to her closet in times of need. After every heartbreak, loss, or disappointment, I witnessed her churning out outfits that made her feel better: A-line floral skirts, patent leather pumps, and denim halter jumpsuits were all in the mix. She's encouraged me to do the same, constantly reassuring me that life's too short to not enjoy a good outfit. And while it may be hard for people like me, who suffer from anxiety and depression, to look on the bright side of things, fashion has constantly helped me get there. So, in recent years, I've constantly asked myself, What would mom do? And the answer is almost always: Get dressed and go out.
Admittedly, telling a person who struggles with their mental health that they'll feel better if they just get dressed is like treating a wound with perfume. I've rolled my eyes at my mom countless times whenever she's advised me to grab a good outfit—although our definitions of what that exactly is differ—to manage my moods. And, certainly, it's not a foolproof strategy. But if my mom is any example, facing life's adversities with a good outfit is not a bad idea.
And this upcoming Mother's Day, that's what I'm celebrating—the gift of style as self-care. And you already know me and my mom will be dressed for the occasion.
