There was a time in my life when I didn’t care about how I dressed. I always thought, “Who cares about what I wear, it’s my character that matters. Who do I have to impress?” I hated waking up early to plan my outfit. Pick out the outfit, iron it, and accessorize it, such a hustle! I used to do it, but only for special occasions. I was the kind of person who would throw something together last minute and be good to go!
It was later on did I realized, I didn’t care, but people do! People judge you on how you look and present yourself on daily basis. Honestly, I was never the one to care what people think of me, but people treat you differently on the basis of what they think of you. And how you dress is what helps people make their opinion about you.
We have always heard the saying that the first impression you make is the last impression. And it takes about seven seconds to make the first impression. In this, you are judged for your competence, confidence, and likability. I also realized, how we dress helps us separate a friend from a foe, as we assume the person’s power status and trustworthiness. “Dress to impress,” they said.
So I started putting some effort into the way I dressed when I stepped out. And I realized, when I looked good, I felt good! If not good, it definitely put me in a better mood than I usually would be in. I also had an extra pep in my step.
Dressing well did wonders not just for my mood, but also for my self-esteem. Whenever I dressed well, I would feel more competent, responsible, and confident. The more I did it, the more I realized it’s much more about me than others, contrary to the popular belief. A good outfit can be the confidence boost that we need to take on the day.
After that, I stopped dressing up just for special occasions. I knew I deserved to feel great every day of the year. I realized if I didn’t take time to invest in myself, why would anybody else want to? Don’t we always say that self-care is the best care? Don’t we take care of something that is important? So whenever I am dressing up for the day, I am taking care of myself. For me, it means I am telling myself that I matter and that my life is important. A simple daily reminder that you have value does wonder!
I also realized, what I wear is one of the best ways to express myself. It reflects my mood, my style, and whatnot. It’s a way of expressing to others what I think and feel about myself, without actually having to say anything. A small detail in my outfit can help me express my uniqueness.
So now when the question pops, “Who are you really trying to impress?” The answer is, and will always be “Me.”
Who are you trying to impress?
