Today on the blog, we're so pleased to welcome Maegan Watson of My Dear Watson. My Dear Watson is an online wardrobe-building service for women who want a closet full of good-to-go outfits for an on-the-go life.
Here's Maegan!
“I spend a lot of time at home. Working, taking care of my son, Kohen, and trying to squeeze in a yoga class.
Every morning I go through the same battle. I convince myself that I don't really have time to get ready for the day. After getting Kohen dressed, fed, and down for his morning nap, I'm dying to just open my computer and get to work.
I used to spend my day in pajamas. My husband would come home from work and I would be shocked it was somehow past 5 PM, and I had not yet brushed my hair or eaten. (I really love what I do so my work has the tendency to suck me in 🙂
I didn't like staying in my pajamas all day. It made me less productive and kept me from spontaneous outings like coffee with a friend or a dinner date.
There was also an integrity issue- I was telling every single one of my clients to “get dressed everyday!”
Here's the fact. I still have the thought, “If I skip getting ready I will get more done today.” This just isn't true!
Did you know that getting dressed is scientifically proven to make us feel better and be more productive?
Northwestern University examined the concept of “enclothed cognition”, or how your clothes influence how you feel. The psychology of dress researcher Dr. Jennifer Baumgartner explains “When you dress in a certain way, it helps shift your internal self.” The science behind “enclothed cognition” is proof that you can shift how you feel simply by changing what you are wearing.
It's clear to me that simply reading this research is NOT going to make us spend our mornings primping.
It doesn't take a researcher to tell me that I feel a little sluggish in a top knot and jammies.
So why do I convince myself otherwise?
I realized the issue is TIME. I tell myself that getting ready takes time and energy I just don't have.
That's why I'm hoping this little anecdote might just convince you otherwise….
It only takes me 8 minutes to get ready. (In my head getting ready takes all morning, hence why I avoid it.)
I timed myself and I was shocked, it took 8 minutes. That's less time than most of us spend reading nutrition labels before we hand our kids a snack.
Here are my top tips for creating your very own 8 minute get-dressed quick routine:
1.) Make YOU a priority. It never fails- the days I get Kohen dressed, fed, and settled before I get myself dressed, fed and settled are the days it's past Noon when I finally get my teeth brushed. I'm not even embarrassed to admit this because I know I'm not alone. Make YOU a priority. Remember we are talking about 8 minutes of your time. Everyone and everything else can wait until you've given yourself just a little bit of care.
2.) Get clear on your value-adding tasks. What grooming rituals add the most value? For me, getting ready included selecting my outfit, brushing my hair/ applying sea salt spray, and applying my makeup (bb cream, blush, eyeshadow and mascara). It's minimal but it's enough to make me feel like ME all day. When you get ready tomorrow make a mental note of which activities add the most value and which just take up your time. For example… mascara=lots of value… I look awake! Curling iron=not as much value… it's way easier to just use my natural wave.
3.) Make a self-care routine. Before I had kids it was WAY easier to run out for a manicure or some fresh highlights. These days I make the most of the after-bedtime window. Put the computer away (I know how tempting it is to want to wrap up some work after the kiddos are asleep) and take a bath, read a book, put on lotion (what a luxury!) or paint your nails. It doesn't matter what your routine involves it just matters that you create one that makes you feel taken care of… and clean!
4.) Pick out your outfits. Without question this is my number one response when people ask me how to make getting dressed less stressful. Picking out outfits is similar to getting a bikini wax. You really, really don't want to do it and the process is somewhat painful but then when you're on vacation and you don't have to shave the whole time you are super happy you did it. Picking out your outfits is similar 🙂 Get in your closet and take 20-30 minutes to pick out 5-7 outfits. Don't overthink it! Hang all of the necessary pieces together; think undergarments, jewelry, shoes, and outerwear. Every time you go get dressed that week, especially if you have an event of some kind, you will be so thankful they are there waiting for you.
5.) Let go of perfectionism. I want to be crystal clear that getting dressed every day is NOT about looking perfect. I care so little about how you look, and so much about how you feel. When you're getting dressed on a Thursday morning to spend the day chasing kids and writing blog posts you do not need to look perfect. Many of us avoid the whole act of getting dressed because if we're not headed anywhere noteworthy it doesn't feel worth the effort. Well, you are worth the effort and your work is worth the effort.
I understand how difficult it can be to get dressed, trust me I've had my fair share of closet meltdowns. I made a FREE step-by-step guide for making the most of your current wardrobe and ending closet overwhelm for good! Click here and I'll send the free guide right over
Maegan is a work from home mama and lives in Chicago with her husband, 6 month old son, and chocolate lab.
Maegan had been professionally dressing women for almost a decade before becoming a mom and it revolutionized her work in the best way possible. She now creates brilliant wardrobes that practically hand moms their outfit every morning. My Dear Watson delivers custom wardrobes right to your doorstep so your energy is reserved for family, fulfilling work, and fun!