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I made a mistake and wore a (very) cute outfit to run some (very basic) errands. And it felt unexpectedly (very) good.
Let me set the scene by saying that I am notorious for running to the grocery store after the gym. Edges crinkled, boob sweat still drying, halfway out of breath in my 4-year old leggings that need to be replaced (but still get the job done, honey). I don’t even have any super cute gym sets that can pass for a cute fit. Just know I be looking rough.
It was a mistake because I was never supposed to run errands that day. Dinner with a college friend was my only plan, but the chips just fell perfectly for me to run some errands afterwards.
Whole Foods was 5 minutes away from where we had dinner. I had to make a return to Aritzia, which was 7 minutes from Whole Foods, and stopped at my PO box which was conveniently on the way home.
Now the plan was to just run into Whole Foods to grab a two things. But once I got there, saw the freshly stocked produce with barely anyone inside… on a Saturday night… I put that hand basket down so fast and made a U turn to grab a grocery cart.
I got groceries for the week and a very kind sista stopped me while I had my back turned looking for some vanilla almond milk. I didn’t have time to be startled because before I could even look up fully —
“Sis, you looked GOOD. I just had to stop you and let you know you look absolutely gorgeous and I hope you have an amazing day!”
I was so stuck. Then one of the workers complimented my boots. I then went to Aritzia where the girls rushed up to me to assist. And proceeded to the post office where no one cared haha.
But the point I want to make actually has not as much to do with how others viewed me, and more to do with how I felt. I usually dread running these types of errands, which is why I show up in my throw on clothes that I barely even want to wear. But walking around the store in a cute outfit actually made me feel empowered and more confident to be there. Ya girl had a little extra umph in her walk, okayyy.
Which made me think…
Wearing leggings signals to myself that this moment doesn’t really matter. I’m learning that effort isn’t as nuanced as we try practice it. It’s almost like we want to conserve our effort for the moments we think deserve it, when actually, it makes putting in effort for the big moments feel more exhausting.
We’ve all heard it before, but how you do anything is how you do everything. Dressing for how I want to feel versus how I actually feel is the new goal.
When you show up like you belong somewhere, people treat you accordingly. I’m not looking for compliments (although thanks boo), but something special happens when you stop making yourself invisible in ordinary moments. People can feel when you’ve decided you matter, and they respond to it.
It’s energy babyyy.
We talk a lot about leveling up in the big, obvious ways: business moves, income goals, major life decisions. But the people I find most magnetic have a high standard for themselves in the micro.
What about getting some new luggage that rolls smoothly on that airport carpet instead of overpacking the dingy luggage you’ve had since college. Or brushing your hair and putting some lipgloss on to go pick that baby up from daycare. Or wearing a cute outfit to work from your home office. Or eating at the dinner table once a week instead of on the couch. Or getting the car washed regularly. Or getting rid of your holey socks and panties that you’ve had for way too long.
They’re not expensive decisions but they’re small things that combine to express the standard you hold for yourself. And when you upgrade these small things, you realize how much better you feel.
We gotta start treating our regular life like it’s worth showing up for. Stop waiting for a special occasion to wear the cute outfit. Stop saving the good stuff for later and start moving through your days with more intentionality.
Simply put, I’m not saying you’ll catch me in the grocery store with a full beat and my extra extra nice clothes. And not gon’ lie, you may still catch me in there with some leggings on sometimes. But I’m paying a little more attention to how I’m showing up, even when I think no one’s looking.
Are you someone who gets dressed up for errands, or are you a leggings girl through and through? I need to know I’m not alone in this journey lol. Let’s talk about it in the comments.
In love & creativity,
xx Erin
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