I have been fighting the comfort aspect of remote working and remotely homeschooling — mainly because I am a masochist at heart.
I live by no pain, no gain. Just ask Chuck — thanks to me and the way I run the house, he lives by that motto too, but he sure does put up a good fight.
Love you, honey!
I also firmly believe if you're put together you can't fall apart and that wearing pajamas out in public means you've given up.
Since Covid sent us into hiding last March, I've diligently showered and put on real clothes mostly every day (except that first week, when I was 100% shell shocked from living 24-7 with four boys).
Some days it was a boost; others, pointless.
I'm over that now (the masochism, not the living with all boys thing, though I am kind of over that too). Somewhere around August I started to realize that if I didn't slow down and provide myself with some comfort, I was going to implode. I had to stop worrying so much about being put together and concentrate more on feeling better.
That meant putting thought into my surroundings and what I put on my body instead of the mechanical I MUST GET DRESSED BECAUSE IT IS TUESDAY.
If you find yourself in need of some small pick-me ups too, here are some suggestions.
Something quirky
I was lying in bed before Christmas, feeling the pre-holiday blahs,
thinking about the naked trees outside, my off-white bedroom walls —
blah — and off-white curtains — blah — and I thought,
I need color. I'm a wimp, though, when it comes to bold wall color so I did the next best thing: I went for colored curtains.
I
was on the fence about the tassels, but their large size prevents them
from feeling kitchy or juvenile. These Anthropologie curtains are so
quirky and so cute, and the salmon pink brings a splash of soothing
colors to the walls.
They're pricey, so I only ordered one panel
per window. I also scored them during a 30% sale. Now, whenever I walk
into my bedroom I feel a jolt of happiness. Unless there is a child
hiding in my room, which there always seems to be.
Mindra Curtain at Anthropologie
Something that hides your butt
I've been hiking but I've been stress eating too, and I don't care to
wiggle my middle-aged jiggle in my stretchy pants. I know Chuck is
rolling his eyes right now because I am such a freaken prude, but I want
my ass covered and warm. It's 35 degrees in Connecticut and we have
old, drafty windows. And like I said, the jiggle.
So I ordered
this cozy sweatshirt from LLBean. I ordered the Medium so it would hang
loosely. It's definitely not a jacket, but it gets the job done and
costs less than similar versions at Athleta or Title Nine.
Women's L.L.Bean Cozy Full-Zip Hooded Sweatshirt
Something soft for your bottom
Junior is a teenager and has embraced the Hollister brand with passion. I
am 40+ and obviously have not. But when Chuck and I were shopping for
Junior for Christmas, these pajama bottoms were on a table by the
register, and all I did was touch them and I was smitten. They are
ridiculously soft. And on? So warm and cozy! When I scored a clearance sale hoodie for Junior for $14, I also grabbed another pair of these for myself.
Gilly Hicks Dreamworthy Soft Ribbed Joggers
Something soft for your top
Circling back to Anthropologie, this has been my go-to top since I bought it. On sale. The blue is that perfect Tiffany blue. I ordered a large so the waist wouldn't ride up. With a camisole underneath, it really is everything I want in a shirt: it's forgiving, effortless and machine washable.
Rocio Surplice Top
Something naturally pretty
Of course, comfort doesn't have to cost money. When moss invaded some of
my planters this fall, I didn't pull it out. Instead, I let it grow. I
even moved more into my empty planters. Now, there's a lovely little
collection. The soft green is comforting to touch, and it's a pretty pop
of color by the front door.
Even better, Connecticut can't tax it. At least, I don't think they can. Uh oh, time for my last comfort item:
Something pretty and tasty
What helps battle the stress of taxes in the Nutmeg State, Covid, remote learning and work deadlines more than beautiful clinking glasses of vodka? The flower essences taste like summer, which is literally right around the corner!*
Ketel One Botanical Vodkas
*If you're sauced it's easier to believe the lies, so bottom's up!
