I’m feeling rather optimistic about this year because I’m going to incorporate some of THESE habits into my routine and I want you to STEAL from this list:
- Not Saving a Special item in my closet for a special day: Read Très Cher or Très Scared? and you’ll understand WHY it is essential to wear that one thing from your closet to finally level up.
- Investing in quality pieces: Read The Fashion Visa: Shop Smart for ways to invest in quality clothes can make you feel better and that in turn will help you step into your “better” self.
- Prioritizing Fitness: Not only dressing better but this year I’ll feel better by eating better food and exercising with intention. I won’t skip the gym because it’s too cold or because I have plans later.
- New Skills: Any skill! Learn a new language, learn an instrument, learn crochet OR improve my french, practice piano with two hands instead of just my right hand and… learn crochet.
- Embrace Creativity: Read Fashion Algorithm: “You-Core” for inspiration. Either one of us will wear the usual, we’re stepping OUT of our comfort zone INTO the Level up zone.
- Quitting a bad habit: For me it’s 10+ hours of screen time, for you it could be smoking- a bad habit is a bad habit. Let’s shed this old version of ourselves for the better.
- Travel but strategically: Visiting new cities make me very excited because it helps you expand your horizons. So I say to myself. visiting Harlan, KY might not be a bad idea after all.
- Being Present: This is a combination of #5 and #6 for me. Realizing doing what I actually love, creating something will help me get into a flow state and be more present.
- Donating old clothes: No more holding onto regrets or regretting buying clothes that you have put “on hold” for something special. Give some of it away. Make space for your new self… with new clothes.
- Philanthropy: This is #9 but make it très chic. Philanthropy is très cher, especially when you’re trying to become a better version of yourself.
- Meditation: Meditating for me doesn’t only mean I’m sitting with my thoughts alone but also that I’m reflecting on those thoughts and protecting my energy for things that would affect my thoughts negatively. This one’s gonna be hard but also my #1 recommendation.
- Finances: This is also the reason why I’ll be following #2 on the list because once I invest in quality pieces, I’ll be wearing that over and over and over again. Read The Fashion Visa: Shop Smart on how it applies to your wardrobe too.
- Seek mentorship: If you feel lost, it’s okay to seek help. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go up to a stranger and follow their advice. Seeking mentorship could mean reading more about your mentor and following their habits after accessing what brings value to you.
- Accessing your life: Before you follow #13, find out what you’re currently working with and then figure out who your mentor is. For me, it’s Anna Wintour (;
- Buying clothes for the Future You: Once, you access your life, try becoming them by simply dressing like them. If your mentor is Gandhi then dressing like him (in later years) might not be the best idea. For example, if you want to learn ballet, buy ballet shoes!
16. Accessorize: Less is more, more is more, more is less. Accessories are just as important if not more for your outfit to shine. Read Fashion Algorithm: “You-Core” to feel encouraged to do what you think best matches your “New Self”
17. Communication is key and free: We’re not just looking smart this season, we’re talking smart too. Read Increase your card limit: Face Card edition to help understand how feeling the glow from within can radiate the glow out.
18. Family Time: If you’re lucky to be living with family or in a close proximity, you probably have no clue of how good you have it. Family time increases your communication skills, level of patience (lol) and happiness as well as decreases your anxiety and stress levels.
19. Reading: This year I will be reading the books I bought over the years and I challenge you to do the same. But if books are not your thing, try articles, guides, magazines (Congrats! You’re reading one rn) online.
20. Stay Informed: Following on #19, staying informed is very crucial for #11, #12 and #17. This is going to help you step up into your better self.
21. Question Everything: This is where everything comes together, following just #3, #4, #5, #11, #12, #13, #19, #20 can help you question the norms and why things are the way they are.
22. Quarterly Check ins: Allow yourself to do #14 atleast twice or better yet quarterly so you can refocus on your goal.
23. Plan uniform outfits: I will be creating 2 outfits for every occasion so I won’t panic last minute and be excited about the event be the main event rather than my outfit. Read The Fashion Visa: Shop Smart for inspiration.
24. Protecting my energy: While I re-access my current goals, I will also be re-accessing the current people I interact with. I will be more mindful of who gets to learn more about me. I hope you have fun with this one and not close yourself off.
25. Self care is a fashion statement: The outfit you wear comes second but YOU arrive first. Read Increase your card limit: Face Card edition to help you figure out how to glow up so you can worry about your outfit less.
26. Sitting with uncertainty: Last one but very important, This year I will (try) to not chase clarity and allow myself to do what I have to according to my plan and let things fall into place. So if one or two of your new habits trail off, re-access and see if those are even that important in the first place.